Bermuda will host the Latin American Risk and Insurance Managers Association (ALARYS) meeting for the second time next year.

Around 200 delegates attended the event when it was staged at the Fairmont Southampton in 2004, but more are expected next time because of an improvement in air links with Latin America, via a direct flight from Miami.

According to a Bermuda Government press release, ALARYS president Jorge Luzzi said: "We are very enthusiastic to have this conference again in Bermuda.

"The first one was an attempt to make Bermuda and Latin America closer. We have done a lot of work since then, we have the plane now from Miami and interest from Latin America is up. This should be a very good conference for us. We expect a win-win situation for ALARYS and Bermuda."

This year's ALARYS event was staged in Buenos Aires and Premier Ewart Brown attended, in order to promote the Island as an international business jurisdiction.

"I am very pleased we've been able to attract this important convention to Bermuda next year," Dr. Brown said. "I think this decision proves we are constructing a strong bridge of commerce between Bermuda and Latin America."

Bermuda's first hosting in 2004 was the first time in the event's ten-year history that it had been held outside Latin America.

Delegates flew in from Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Australia, the US, Canada and Russia, as well as Latin America.