Minister for Telecommunications and E-commerce Renee Webb has welcomed to Bermuda the international standards group responsible for developing the framework for open international trade, “Open-EDI”.

The group has been holding their committee meeting here and last week held a seminar at the Ministry during which they informed Government officials and local business representatives of their work.

Government's e-business advisor Nigel Hickson said the presence of the group in Bermuda underlined the commitment of the Government to the realisation of an electronic economy and an electronic infrastructure.

“Bermuda has a long and successful history for international trade, particularly in finance.

“Standards that make it easier for companies to do business with and in Bermuda can only be a significant benefit,” said Mr. Hickson.

The working group have been reviewing its work on developing a framework for analysing business processes into Open-EDI and XML, as well as preparing an accounting ontology that will ensure the preparation of sound and secure trade scenarios.

Hannu Pelkonen, the chairman of the working group thanked the Minister and the Ministry for inviting the Committee to the Island and for their hospitality.

He said that the experts from the UK, US, Canada and Japan had been made most welcome in Bermuda and had a productive and enjoyable time.