The number of people employed in Bermuda rose by only 146 people in 2007, despite the fact that the number of registered companies on the Island rose by 1,300.

According to end of year figures released by the Department of Statistics 39,832 people were employed on the Island last year. Meanwhile employment income rose by 12.9 percent or $323 million in 2007 compared to 2006.

International businesses hired the highest number of people, 4,687, a decrease of 4.4 percent or 198 jobs compared to 2006. However employment income within this sector shot up 22 percent — or $131 million — during the year.

Business services companies was the second largest employer with 4,176 employees an increase of two percent. The income of these employees increased 17.3 percent or $41 million.

And public administration was the third largest employer hiring 4,113 people an increase of one percent. Government paid an additional $26.8 million in salaries to public administrators in 2007 compared to 2006.

The construction industry was the fourth largest employer with 3,538 workers, a decrease of three percent or 115 jobs. Income within this sector rose only 2.2 percent, or $3.8 million.

The figures also showed the Island increased its imports by 8.5 percent. In total $1.15 billion worth of goods were imported into Bermuda up from $1.06 billion in 2006.

Finished equipment accounted for $302 million worth of goods imported, up 38.7 percent, while machinery accounted for $245 million worth of goods imported, up 7.3 percent. Food, beverages and tobacco accounted for $189 million up 0.8 percent compared to 2006.

The value of clothing imported to the Island fell five percent or $2 million last year. This is the second year in a row the value of clothing has dropped, in 2006 it plummeted 19 percent.

In 2007 $36.8 million worth of clothes were brought into the Island compared to $38.8 million in 2006 and $48 million in 2005.