on company annual reports being imported onto the Island.

And the new budget includes a reduction in the duty tagged onto items used in the manufacture of printed products, down from 22.25 percent to 15 percent.

The break includes such items as graphic arts film, printing plates, chemicals and commercial bindery supplies.

Paget Wharton, general manager of Bermuda Press, sister company of The Royal Gazette , said printers were looking forward to being able to pass on savings of any size to its customers.

While deferring to head of the association of local printing companies, Randy French, Mr. Wharton said the reduction on manufacturing items was "not quite'' what printers had hoped for.

He said: "Yes, that will be of some small help. It is not quite what we had hoped for as a group but it will help.'' Mr. Wharton added: "I believe that something is always better than nothing and we are getting something pleasant this time.'' In 1997 printers were granted a total cut in duties on paper and a duty reduction to 15 percent on printing equipment and machinery.

Duty relief: After investing in new, high-tech presses, operations such as the Bermuda Press have gained a seven-percent duty edge on the off-shore competitions HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HOA