Hotel is proving more popular than in previous years.

A significant jump in registered delegates is attributed to the huge international interest in Bermuda as an acknowledged reinsurance centre. So far, 185 delegates have confirmed their attendance at the Seventh International Reinsurance Congress. Last year only 105 attended and, until this year, the number had never topped 120.

Mr. Michael Bentley, director of seminar product development at UK congress co-organiser Hawksmere, said three Chinese delegates were registered as well as others from South America and the Philippines.

Hawksmere staff arrived in Bermuda on Saturday to put the final touches to the arrangements.

The congress opens with a cocktail party on Wednesday evening. The subject matter of the conference is designed to provide reinsurance professionals, accountants, lawyers, regulators and other interested parties with the latest developments in reinsurance.

"There are a higher number of local delegates this year and a wide ranging audience.

"International delegates are not all US lawyers, but senior people from industry in the US and UK,'' said Mr. Bentley.

Sessions will be held on "Changes in the Regulatory Environment'', including a speech about Lloyd's of London by Mr. David McIntosh, senior partner at London law firm, Davies Arnold Cooper.

Another session is entitled "Current Product and Management Issues'', including topics such as "Catastrophe and other forms of cover''. The speaker is Mr. Donald Kramer, chairman of Tempest Re.

Mr. David Brown, senior vice president and chief accounting officer at Centre Re, will talk on "What is the future for financial reinsurance''.

Those who wish to attend either the reception or the congress, but have not registered, should contact Ms Dwane Patterson at the Hamilton Princess.

BUSINESS BUC