international address at a well attended Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) breakfast at the Ritz Carlton Hotel yesterday morning.

In an event designed to show why Bermuda remains the offshore jurisdiction of choice, Premier Gordon painted an alluring picture of Bermuda as "one of the most successful countries in the world''.

She was speaking near the end of a highly successful week for Bermuda at the 35th Annual Risk & Insurance Management Society Conference at which a high percentage of the 10,000 attendees saw Bermuda highlighted as they never had before.

She said: "Educationally, economically, environmentally, and socially, Bermuda stands out. Bermuda ranks among the world leaders as an international business centre.'' She made it clear that just because there was a change in the leadership of Bermuda, there was no need for even minor concern among international business interests.

Premier Gordon stated emphatically: "During my tenure, it will not be business as usual. Bermuda's standing as a premier domicile for international business will not be status quo.

"It will be better than ever. It will be growing, dynamic and globally competitive. We want and welcome your business and we have a proven record of success in working with business so that everyone's goals and responsibilities are met and exceeded.'' The Premier's speech came as Bermuda's name was on the lips of an extraordinary number of people at RIMS, with a resurgence in the interest in captive insurance companies.

The Premier told executives that those who are pondering business in Bermuda, especially relating to insurance and finance, could find no "better, sounder, more profitable, more enlightened, more cooperative, free market economy''.

She said: "Some ten percent of the world's reinsurance capacity is provided in Bermuda.

Gordon speech "I see no reason why this figure can't increase exponentially,'' Ms Gordon said. "That is one of my goals as Premier. We will give you the tools and support necessary to compete freely and effectively in the marketplace.

"As you will learn, Bermudians are eager, able and talented. There is no goal more important to me than to see that every Bermudian has the opportunity to reach his or her God-given potential, whether that comes in the insurance or financial business, the professions or the tourism industry.

"My mission is to expand Bermuda's prosperity so that every Bermudian can enjoy a larger, fuller share,'' she said. "I can succeed in these goals by working cooperatively with you. You can succeed in your goals by working cooperatively with us.

Premier Gordon promised: "...It is my intention to create a cooperative three-way partnership among government, business and the community that stuns the world with its capacity for increasing opportunity and prosperity for all of its businesses and for every Bermudian. And I mean every Bermudian.'' WOMEN WOM