of Commerce, Cris Valdes-Dapena, has warned.

Speaking at the Hamilton Rotary's weekly luncheon yesterday, Ms Valdes-Dapena said Government should not and cannot be expected to direct Bermuda's economic future.

"We are steering this boat,'' she said.

"It is up to us -- working together, through whatever channels are available to us -- to make and to successfully implement decisions for ourselves.'' Ms Valdes-Dapena, who has served the Chamber of Commerce for three years and became the organisation's first female president in April, emphasised the importance of the Chamber as a forum to put forward ideas.

"Unless you use it, you won't derive the value of it, and nor will anyone else,'' she said.

"You've paid for your Chamber membership and, just like the last exercise machine you bought, it is up to you to make it work.'' Ms Valdes-Dapena said many had answers to Bermuda's economic questions, but unless they bring their ideas forward, there will never be any solutions implemented.

"Government must also work in partnership with all elements of the private sector,'' she added.

But more importantly residents must work together.

"Black and white, Bermudians and expatriates, even the United Bermuda Party, the National Liberal Party and the Progressive Labour Party... if Bermuda is to emerge to new strengths, old antagonists must become new allies.

"If we are more committed to fighting one another than we are to steering a safe course, we will flounder.''