One of US President Bill Clinton's former advisors on the Internet and other world experts will meet with Bermuda's Ministry of Finance this week.

They will participate in a series of e-commerce workshops organised by Bermuda International Business Association to be held at several of the Island's top hotels.

And representatives from international law firm Linklaters -- which won the contract to draft Bermuda's new e-commerce legislation for the 21st century -- will also take part in the high-level meeting of minds.

Former Clinton advisor Ira Magaziner, world renowned Internet expert Dr. James Martin and Bermuda Stock Exchange chairman Arthur Sculley are scheduled to take part in Friday's day-long meeting at the Elbow Beach Hotel.

The first workshop will be held on Wednesday at the Hamilton Princess.

It will provide a cross section of public and private sector attendees with information about global legislative initiatives in e-commerce, and how the planned legislation for Bermuda can fit into the global scene.

It is hoped that those in the audience will provide feedback from their own perspective on how e-commerce development and new legislation will impact on their business and operations.

At Thursday's meeting BIBA's e-commerce legislative sub-committee will meet with representatives from the Island's Attorney General's chambers and Linklaters legal eagles to address drafting the fundamentals of the new laws.

BIBA chairman Glenn Titterton said the body was proud to have put together such a world-class forum.

"We are very pleased to have assembled such extremely knowledgeable and visionary participants for this workshop, as part of our effort to assist the Government with developing e-commerce for Bermuda.

"The objective of the workshop will be to assess the true opportunities that exist for Bermuda in the global e-commerce competitive environment.

BIBA organises workshops "We will have the benefit of their practical experience, insight and expertise of the invited participants to achieve that goal. It should be a most productive and informative day.

"These workshops are a very important part of the development process for moving Bermuda forward in the global and very dynamic e-commerce race.

"Bermuda is fortunate to have access to the high-level practitioners who have agreed to share their knowledge with us next Friday.

"We're also fortunate to have the commitment from our private and public sector partners here to drive the e-commerce initiative ahead.'' He said that the group would also provide feedback on both the proposed direction for Bermuda's new e-commerce legislation and the strategic business plan being drafted by BIBA's Commercial Applications sub-committee. Local participants will include representatives from BIBA, the Finance Ministry, the Telecommunications Ministry, the International Business Forum and the Chamber of Commerce International Companies division.

BUSINESS BUC