Members of the United States Congress are expected in Bermuda next week to discuss the recently passed multi-billion dollar financial bailout package as part of the Opportunity Funding Corporation Bermuda Forum.

New York Congressman Gregory Meeks and California Congresswoman Diane Watson — both from the House Financial Services Committee — will speak at a seminar called "The US Bailout: Details and Opportunities", which has been added to the three-day forum agenda.

The schedule begins on November 20 at the Fairmont Southampton.

The OFC Forum is focused on economic development in communities throughout the African Diaspora and is co-sponsored by the Bermuda Department of Tourism.

Premier Ewart Brown said: "On the backdrop of the first ever African-American President-Elect and the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, this conference, and particularly this seminar, is fortuitously timed.

"As we stimulate our tourism product next week, we will also be stimulating thought on the most pressing issue of the day."

Other seminars will focus on topics including health care, energy, politics and investment.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Bank, BET Network founder Robert L. Johnson of RLJ Development and Philip Butterfield of HSBC Bank of Bermuda are among the guest experts.

Former Washington D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt is the director of the OFC Bermuda Forum and an advocate for economic empowerment in African descendant communities around the world.

She said: "We are very excited about the 2008 OFC Bermuda Forum, especially in the wake of the US history-making Presidential election.

"OFC is proudly working with the Bermuda Department of Tourism to host a historic gathering of African Diaspora Thought Leaders."