New Premier Paula Cox intends to extend the agreement that gives international companies an exemption from local corporate taxes.

The current Exempted Tax Certificate expires in 2016 and is a cornerstone of Bermuda's attractiveness as a corporate domicile.

Ms Cox's intention to extend the agreement is among the bullet points listed in her national plan, a document distributed at last week's PLP delegates' meeting.

Many bosses of the large commercial insurers who call the Island home have been keen to see confirmation of an extension, to help them make long-term decisions. And they would be delighted if the move were announced in today's Throne Speech.

In an interview with The Royal Gazette two months ago, Hiscox Bermuda CEO Charles Dupplin said he would like to see the new Premier announce an extension past 2016. "Businesses hate uncertainty and this is something that could be cleared up pretty rapidly by a new administration," Mr. Dupplin said.

Premier Cox has also vowed to "adopt measures to strengthen and encourage foreign direct investment", a phrase that suggests likely attempts to address the needs and concerns of job-creating international businesses.

Another key point from Ms Cox's national plan is "to introduce 'sunset clauses' in legislation and regulation, as required". A sunset clause traditionally refers to applying an expiration date, so the legislature has to decide whether to renew it before the expiration date.

International and local business alike will be hoping to see an expiration date slapped on the unpopular payroll tax increase, that raised the rate from 14 percent to 16 percent earlier this year.

Her plans to improve transparency include publishing tenders for public projects on Government's website. That will go down well with Construction Association of Bermuda president Andy Pereira, who told this newspaper earlier this week that the industry wanted more transparency and fairness in the awarding of public contracts.

Work permit time limits are a major issue for many employers, but Ms Cox publicly stated before her election as Premier that she would not be changing the policy. Her plan includes a proposal to "streamline the work permit process" where there are "credible training programmes for Bermudians".

Small businesses feeling the pinch during the current economic difficulties will welcome plans to review the terms of the Economic Empowerment Zone loan programme and the consideration of expanding the EEZ areas, as well as creating incentives for small business procurement.

Also she promises to bolster efforts to assist entrepreneurs through access to "angel investor networks". Angel investors are normally defined as wealthy individuals who provide funds for business start-ups, usually in exchange for equity in the company.

Ms Cox also proposes "increased opportunities for the taxi industry to self-regulate". And she also intends to assess the feasibility of establishing a Monopolies Commission.