Associate membership of CARICOM will cost Bermuda $98,000, Health Minister Nelson Bascome revealed last night, but he said the economic and social benefits will far outweigh that.

Speaking at the first public meeting on Government's hopes to join the organisation, Mr. Bascome said membership was voluntary, and Bermuda would only sign up to those parts of CARICOM that would be of benefit.

He reiterated that Bermuda will not be joining the region's single market and economy, nor would it allow free movement of labour.

But the Island could be a telecommunications and e-commerce leader with a regional stock exchange in Bermuda, Bermudian students could get preferential study rates in the Caribbean, and there could be benefits from closer policing, health and sporting links.

At the end of the meeting in St. James' Church Hall, Sandys, Mr. Bascome, who chairs a Government committee set up to look at the issue, said: "I believe we are making a decision in the best interests of this Country. I love my Country and I would not put any other country before it.

"We are connected to these countries through the jugular their blood runs through our veins."

Following a one hour presentation by Mr. Bascome and fellow committee members Glen Blakeney, Gary Phillips and PLP MP Ottiwell Simmons, there was a mixed reaction from the audience, with some strong objections.

Roger Davidson said: "I don't think there is any interest to have any Government links with such a group of competitors so far away.

"Most of us would encourage social and cultural links with the Caribbean but to tie our economy, this sophisticated economy, with the Caribbean in the eyes of the world would be disastrous to present and future generations.

"It's a hare-brained scheme and I hope no one supports it."

Mr. Bascome replied that some Bermudians looked down their noses at the Caribbean and if the region had problems, the Island could be a leader.

"Some might think the Caribbean is less than us. If they are, we are here to educate and uplift them. Are we not our brother's keeper?"

For more coverage of the meeting, see tomorrow's Royal Gazette.