business bodies has drawn guarded support from the chairman of the Bermuda International Business Association.

Mr. Gavin Arton, a top Bermudian executive at EXEL Ltd., made the call in a recent contentious speech to the Bermuda Insurance Institute.

He said there were too many committees sitting independently to consider insurance related matters.

BIBA chairman Mr. Cummings Zuill said yesterday he did not agree with that, but said there was room for improvement in coordinating some industry efforts.

Mr. Arton said this week: "We have a lot of very well intentioned people working very hard on pieces of the industry and no end result is being coordinated.

"I felt from an external point of view the industry ought to be all pulling in the same direction with a common goal of winning, as opposed to the brokers, or the reinsurers or the captives each doing their own thing.

"It doesn't seem to be there yet. It's just an observation, rather than a criticism. I'm just saying that we have a lot of people all working very hard.

Let's maybe all try to work together. Not fewer people, but a more single-minded purpose on the issues. Working more closely together.

"I think perhaps, there is an unintended risk between BIBA and the IAC (Insurance Advisory Committee) simply because on the one hand there are service providers that make their living servicing insurance companies and the others are the companies themselves.'' Mr. Zuill said that he sees one of BIBA's prime roles as a liaison or even coordinator.

"BIBA can be a communications hub so that the various organisations have a way of communicating,'' he said. "We can't stop different groups from doing their own thing, but coordination could prevent over-lap and duplication.

"BIBA can be complementary to their efforts. But they would have to let us know what they are doing and we might be able to get two parties, who are working on similar projects, to work together.

"They might also like to broaden their base. For example insurance brokers may wish to have one member liaise regularly with the Insurance Advisory Committee, or with BIBA.

"We might be able to help certain groups further their aims through our advertising. We do not wish to control any organisation or even take any credit, but we see our mandate from Government as providing scope to help them, even as we serve the Bermuda service providers for the whole industry.'' Mr. Zuill said that there was room for more of the various organisations to work with BIBA.