Bermuda is once again to be promoted as the centre for e-commerce in the world market.

Cable and Wireless and Bermuda Microsystems are teaming up for a stall at the Shorex North American Conference on November 8 and 9.

And Greg Woods, global account manager at Cable and Wireless will be giving a talk to delegates on the future of e-commerce and promoting Bermuda at the same time.

"I will be talking about the market both globally and vis-a-vis selling Bermuda as a destination. There are many reasons why Bermuda is attractive,'' said Mr. Woods.

"A regulatory environment which has been made e-commerce friendly, the expertise in offshore business, the proximity geographically to North America and the first-rated technological infrastructure.'' Cable and Wireless, a world leader in providing integrated communications, teamed up with Bermuda Microsystems (BMS) to help develop its e-commerce business in September.

The venture, called Web-commerce, was set up as a one-stop shop for business' offshore e-commerce.

The service offers customers web design and financial and legal advice. It also offers a way of processing and validating on-line credit card transactions.

BMS, a leading provider of information technology systems to businesses in Bermuda, has used its expertise in systems to help develop programmes for new businesses on-line.

Since then they have been working in partnership to encourage e-commerce business into Bermuda.

So far Cable and Wireless has two live customers, Triminghams and ISI Publications who sell business information periodicals.

But they are dealing with a number of multi-national customers who may soon be coming on board.

These include companies in Hong Kong, North America and the Caribbean.

"We are expecting a tremendous growth in the market,'' said Mr. Woods. "Some of these new customers should be signed up next month. And we are getting enquiries every day about our service.'' The partnership works well because of the brand name of Cable and Wireless, attracts the clients while BMS's knowledge of computers and systems clinches the deal.

Net-working: Greg Woods of Cable and Wireless and Philip Cooper of Bermuda Microsystems in e-commerce partnership.