The fourth annual Bermuda International Business Week has been cancelled following last week's tragic attacks against America, and several other events have been postponed.

The eCC e-Commerce Conference to be held in Bermuda has been postponed to a later date yet to be announced.

And the first ever Ruark Insurance conference which was also to be held in Bermuda has been postponed from this week to October following last week's attacks.

Chairman of the Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) Local Awareness Committee Dueane Dill said yesterday of International Business (IB) Week: "Given the horrific events that have occurred in the United States, we have decided to cancel IB Week.

"We extend our sincere condolences to everyone who has lost loved ones and friends as a result of this tragic situation."

A Public Forum was scheduled to be held during the week, and yesterday a BIBA spokesperson said they were endeavouring to hold the forum at a later date.

The revised forum will provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions of how this tragedy will affect the average Bermudian and the Island's international business industry

Mr. Dill added: "We are hoping to have this forum in the upcoming weeks with a panel of representatives from all sectors of international business - insurance, banking, finance, investments, accounting - who can address the fears and issues facing the community.

"At this time, all of our minds are focused on this atrocious crime, which we are all personally reflecting on and dealing with.

"In time however, I anticipate the community will want to seek answers to questions relating to Bermuda's long-term security."

The date for the public forum will be announced at a later date.

More than 8,000 people attended last year's business week in City Hall car park and more than 40 companies had booths for the event which is aimed at improving links between international business and the community.

The Ruark Insurance Advisors' First Annual Reinsurance Conference was slated for September 19 to 21 in the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and delegates were expected to explore treaty opportunities in the Bermuda reinsurance market.

However, Vice President of Ruark Insurance Advisors Inger Harrington said yesterday that the conference would now be held on October 4.

Ms Harrington said that although some of the attendees would be unable to make the new date, other companies had been contacted to fill the space and she expected about the same number of people.

Chairman of the International Companies Division of the Chamber of Commerce David Ezekiel will not be delivering his keynote address however, as he will be off the Island.

"Hopefully we will get a good turnout and it will be a little calmer in the US," Ms Harrington said yesterday.