expected to highlight a conference here later this year.

The conference, dubbed "The Bermuda Market Briefing'', is being organised by the Bermuda Insurance Institute and the New York chapter and Bermuda sub-chapter of the society of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters. It is slated for November 14 and 15.

Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul, and more than 200 insurance and reinsurance representatives are expected to attend, said Mr. Roger Scotton, director of information with the Bermuda Insurance Institute.

"Over the past year to 18 months this market has really taken off,'' he said.

Mr. Scotton noted more will be known about the proposed changes as the year progresses.

Changes to insurance regulations and the Companies Act -- which would affected some 1,350 companies -- are expected to be debated this summer in the House of Assembly, said Mr. Scotton. He described the proposed changes as "far-reaching''.

The conference will attract representatives from the United States with senior Bermudian personnel in the industry also to attend.

Talks on captives, excess liability, finite risk and property catastrophe reinsurance will follow a key opening session on Bermuda security.

New insurance products and programmes will also be reviewed.

Bermuda speakers at "The Bermuda Market Briefing'' will include Mr. Brian Hall, chairman of Johnson & Higgins (Bermuda) Ltd. and the Insurance Advisory Council, Mr. John Stites, president of Chubb Atlantic Indemnity, Mr. Charles Rudd, ACE Ltd.'s satellite insurance specialist, and Mr. Doyle Stephens, CEO of the Oil Insurance Ltd. and oil rig insurer TOPS Insurance.

Speakers from abroad will include Mr. Kenneth Hoffman, risk management director of the University of Pennsylvania and Mr. Alan Levin, managing director of Standard & Poor's insurance rating services.