Town, South Africa, yesterday to help in the presentation of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail.

Ms Smith and Mr. Allen will offer information on the newly developed trail to members of the International Congress of Africa Travel Association during its annual conference which is this year being held in Cape Town.

Mr. Allen unveiled details of the trail at a press conference on Tuesday.

Ms Smith described the trail as "a major cross-border tourism initiative''.

It is envisioned that black historic and cultural sites in Bermuda, the Caribbean, South and Central America, Africa and the United States will be designated as part of the Heritage Trail commemorating the Diaspora that began with the slave trade some 500 years ago.

Before she left, Ms Smith spoke in Parliament yesterday about her recent trip to Atlanta, Georgia, for the Annual Risk Insurance & Management Society (RIMS) Conference & Exhibition.

Prior to attending the conference, Ms Smith presented the keynote address at the closing dinner for the Bank of Bermuda's Corporate Client Weekend in Braselton, Georgia.

The topic was `What makes Bermuda the domicile of choice for International Business?' In the speech she stated that Bermuda's economic success can be attributed to four key factors: natural physical beauty and geographic accessibility, a Government that values and remains in tune with the needs of the business community, a sophisticated infrastructure, and high standards of professional conduct and a robust regulatory environment.

Ms Smith also delivered the welcome address at a Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) breakfast for top business leaders from the Atlanta area and media.

She talked about Bermuda's growing economy, and ability to develop and adapt to the global business challenges Ms. Smith mentioned the success of Bermuda's regulatory framework internationally, and the focus the Island has placed on e-business.

"As we look to the future, it is clear the jurisdiction that adapts and conforms to the highest international standards will . . . stand out as the most favourable base for legitimate business. We are confident that Bermuda will continue to more than satisfy that challenge,'' she said.

Ms Smith discussed international workers also, saying: "Our guest workers play an integral role in training and upgrading the specialist skills of the indigenous labour pool.'' Before returning to Bermuda, Ms Smith travelled to the Seventh Day Adventist run Atlantic Union College in Lancaster, Massachusetts, where she delivered the Commencement Address for the 2001 Commencement Exercises.

She acknowledged the four Bermudians graduating that day: Christine Fox, Rhonda Musson, Ronee Price and Jahni Smith, who graduated cum laude with two majors in just three years.