The Ministry of Finance has appointed Marston Webb International as its public relations and media relations consultants to sell Bermuda as a top international financial centre to investors abroad.

Finance Secretary Donald Scott said the agency will be responsible for promoting Bermuda as a place for doing business to potential overseas clients.

Marston Webb, which is based in New York and has associate agencies in major markets across the world, provides investor relations, public relations and media consultancy to a number of foreign government investment agencies and publicly-traded companies in North America and abroad.

Its clients include the city of Madrid and the Bahamas, as well as corporate giants like Bank of America and property tycoon Donald Trump.

"Bermuda has, through the years, established an enviable reputation as an international financial centre whose administrative skills in fund management, banking, and wealth management have helped many US and international firms grow their business and improve their competitiveness," said Mr. Scott.

"The Bermuda insurance market is renowned around the world for its leadership and its ability to service major international enterprises.

"As financial turmoil spreads around the globe, the challenge now is for Bermuda's business sector to remain globally competitive.

"We believe that broadening our outreach programme with Marston Webb this year will help consolidate and grow our position still further as a leading international business and financial hub."