promoting the Island's merits as a "premier'' offshore jurisdiction through the marketing firm of Edelman Public Relations Worldwide.

And in that year, according Edelman's London office managing director Mr.

Andrew Dewar, there has been significant progress.

"The first year is all about getting the message out about what BIBA and Bermuda are all about. I think the message is getting across,'' he said.

Edelman was retained by BIBA to promote the Island's international business sector abroad.

"The international community presumes if they should know about it, and they don't, it's your fault. But in principle they want to know,'' he said.

Financial and trade media coverage of Bermuda has doubled in the past year and links with industry leaders and journalists from significant markets have been formed, said Mr. Dewar.

Bermuda business representatives now include more interviews with international media on their overseas agendas, he said.

"These representatives of Bermuda business community that can speak in a global context,'' said BIBA marketing manger Mrs. Wendy Davis Johnson.

One of the messages asserted by BIBA -- there is business growth and stability throughout the Independence debate and the organisation, though it has not take a position on the issue, supports the democratic process.

The Island's Independence debate has heightened interest in Bermuda among its competitors, said Mr. Dewar.

It is an issue which demands effective management, or it could be damaging to Bermuda's international business future, he said.

Mr. Dewar said he found a referendum meeting he attended, with its "town hall'' style, refreshing.

In many other countries it would be a highly emotive passion-filled experience while this meeting was a reasonable, quiet and polite exchange of information.

"It is important that people do not confuse stability with immobility.'' After an election, if a new political party takes over, the political climate is not automatically viewed as an unstable one, he added.

"If people do not understand the Bermuda way of doing things they could start to imagine the most flamboyant images and there are people out there who would like them to think that way.'' Mr. Dewar and senior vice president of Edelman's New York office Mr. Elliot Sloane were recently in Bermuda for a year in review presentation to Bermuda business representatives. They, with BIBA, also outlined year-two of the effort which tentatively includes a multi-city Bermuda briefing similar to one earlier this year held in London.

London, Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam -- and many more -- have their own organisations set up to promote themselves as business centres.

"There really is competition,'' he said.

"Every financial centre in the world, whether its domestic or international, is competing for everything you can think of. It is a world of scarce resources and people have to make choices.'' BIBA has a budget of $550,000 for the coming year. Last year, the Government funded budget was $500,000.

"Bermuda really has got some superb cards to play,'' added Mr. Dewar. Edelman has offices in New York, Toronto, London and Hong Kong and a presence in 26 other countries.