resource'' for the Island's companies, said Mr. John Dill, president of CSB (Computer Society of Bermuda).

He made the statement as he announced plans for a CSB-organised address by Minister of Management and Technology the Hon. Grant Gibbons, who is expected to discuss competitiveness, new opportunities and diversification in Bermuda.

The speech is scheduled for January 11 at the Princess at 9 a.m. A breakfast is slated for 8.30 that morning with tickets available from the CSB. Mr. Dill said "new communications opportunities will make a great deal more possible for businesses, companies can connect with other areas worldwide, companies can bring business into other countries, it becomes a new resource''.

"Wednesday's speech will give people an opportunity to hear Government and Dr. Gibbons speak about their vision for Bermuda.'' Dr. Gibbons is expected to make a decision on licences for new telecommunications carriers this month.

Dr. Gibbons said last month after the release of the Telecommunications Commission's second report which suggested opening up domestic and international telecommunications to competition, that he planned to respond this month to the committee's recommendations to licence carriers to compete with the Bermuda Telephone Company and Cable & Wireless.

Mr. Peter Frese, chairman of the CSB activities committee, said Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) service is one example of a technology now available to Bermuda whose use is expected to grow with the introduction of new telecommunications carriers.

EDI will be a benefit to Bermuda because invoices will be received electronically before goods arrive "saving days of storage time,'' he commented.

"Cost reductions will make the use of EDI and many more things possible,'' Mr. Frese said.

Mr. Dill and Mr. Frese said Dr. Gibbons' speech had been organised because of the rapid changes occurring in telecommunications, the growth in international business and the transfer of the Base lands.

Mr. Dill noted the CSB is a consulting body which lobbies Government to move technology forward.