HAMILTON, Bermuda: The Bermuda Government’s Department of E-Commerce has released research that shows e-business has a strong position in both the existing plans and future visions of Bermuda-based companies. 

“For companies outside Bermuda who might be looking for a jurisdiction in which to establish an e-commerce presence, this is good news,” says Nigel Hickson, E-Commerce Consultant with the Department. “A strong local demand for the skills, the infrastructure, and the regulatory environment that supports e-commerce is good for international companies, whether they are already doing business in Bermuda or thinking of establishing here.”

In the next two to three years, one-third of Bermuda-based local and international businesses were thinking that e-commerce will have a considerable-to-overwhelming impact on their organisations. In fact, 81% are somewhat or very interested in learning more about e-business opportunities in Bermuda. And 95% of companies surveyed have e-mail with Internet access, an increase of 3% over those surveyed in 2002. 

The research, which was commissioned by the Department of E-Commerce and conducted by Bermuda research firm Research.bm, took place in February 2004. Its aim was to find information on the deployment of e-business techniques within the business community, and compare it to the results from a 2002 e-business survey. 

Michael J. Scott, Minister of Telecommunications and E-Commerce says: “It is exciting to see how many Bermuda companies are using e-business within their organisations. This is excellent news for Bermuda and for those companies looking for a switched on location for their e-business platforms. We will use this data to help us develop the e-business action plan and in framing policies to better support Bermuda businesses in their e-business developments.” 

Members of the public may obtain a copy of the report at the Government’s e-business web site www.bermuda-ebusiness.bm. 

Research.bm conducted the survey by phone with 500 randomly selected telecommunications decision makers from key Bermuda business sectors between February 2nd and 27th, 2004. The survey is said to have a margin of error of +/-2.69% 19 times out of 20.