The Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC) today announced a detailed survey of the entire ABIC membership and their employees to create a baseline of data outlining the current impact that international business has on Bermuda.

The web-based survey, planned since March, 2004, will be an exhaustive and detailed look at the positive and negative impacts of international business on Bermuda, and to collect data which would allow Government and the private sector to plan for future growth in a manner which is sustainable in the current environment. ABIC received full support and assistance from the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of the Environment.

“ From time to time, the community and international companies themselves have expressed concern about the rapid growth of international business in Bermuda, and its potential impacts on our social and physical environments,” said ABIC chairman David Ezekiel. “The Association of Bermuda International Companies shares this concern and has decided to act. ABIC has received full support and assistance from the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of the Environment in this exercise.”

It was decided that the key initiative in this process would be a detailed survey of the entire ABIC membership and their employees. The website will go on line at the end of November. The deadline for submissions is on October 15th. It is hoped that ABIC will be able to present results to members, Government and other selected organizations by December 15th.

In order to ensure that ABIC received full and honest answers to the questions in the survey it was decided to make the survey completely anonymous at all levels. PriceWaterhouseCoopers were retained to design a web-based survey form and a committee was formed by ABIC to manage this initiative. The committee reports directly to the ABIC chairman and includes representatives of ABIC, the Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Bermuda. The committee is chaired by Peter Adwick and includes Richard Winchell (ABIC), Cathy Gosling (Bermuda Chamber of Commerce) and Brian Rowlinson (Ministry of the Environment).

The survey seeks information and opinions on every area where international business has an impact including housing, schooling, transport, use of local services, charitable contributions, salaries, taxes, rents, office space and the like.

The survey also collects information on CEO perceptions and expectations for the future. Detailed questions to the employees are designed to assess the degree to which Bermudians, and particularly black Bermudians, are advancing within the sector and the training and promotion prospects available to them.

“ We believe this is the most complete survey of its kind,” said Mr. Ezekiel. “We are working hard to ensure a high level of participation which will provide complete, accurate and up-to-date information that will be of significant benefit to business leaders and to Government in their respective decision-making processes. Sound decision-making will help to ensure a healthy future for the industry and for Bermuda as a whole. We encourage all companies and employees to participate and thank them in advance.”

ABIC, the voice of international business, represents more than 130 international companies incorporated in Bermuda.