Business leaders Vince Ingham, Sheila Lines and Cheryl Packwood have joined the Bermuda First committee plotting to protect the Island from global economic threats.

Head Don Kramer yesterday said their expertise and contacts — at Belco, KeyTech and Bermuda International Business Association respectively — would help ensure Bermuda First's ideas are implemented to help the Island prosper.

Mr. Kramer said four key strategic areas had been outlined by the group, whose co-chairs are Premier Ewart Brown and Opposition Leader Kim Swan, and a full report would be made available by the end of the month.

He told The Royal Gazette the committee's recommendations would be based on: sustainable development of the international business community; diversity of the economy; tourism; socioeconomic structure of the Island.

Income equality, job availability, education and family values are all part of the socioeconomic factor, said Mr. Kramer. "This is such a small community; the whole fabric of society is dependent on a good social economy," he said, adding that the international business community thrived on good Bermudian workers.

He said so far the Island's international business community had performed "exceedingly well" despite the global downturn, because it depends largely on insurance, which is something that is always needed.

Bermuda First's talks so far had underlined the importance of developing a niche in the tourism market.

The group has more than 80 members including a steering committee of around 20 local and international business heads.

Management firm McKinsey and Company carried out a study on Bermuda's needs at the beginning of the summer. Bermuda First is using that data to compile a list of recommendations to Government and the whole community. They are expected to be publicly available at the end of this month, several weeks later than was initially planned.