Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) director and deputy chairman, Jan Spiering, is retiring from BIBA to become chairman of the International Business Forum.

The forum is a high-powered group of top professionals who meet regularly with top government officials. Mr. Spiering, a chartered accountant, is the managing partner of Ernst & Young Bermuda/Kempe & Whittle.

BIBA chairman Tom Davis said in his annual report to the organisation's AGM that Mr. Spiering was an agent of change who was relentless in his determination to get things done.

Mr. Davis also talked about three priority objectives that BIBA focused on over the last year. They included work needed to effect legislative changes that stood in the way of Bermuda reaching its potential as an offshore jurisdiction.

A second priority was to more competitively position specific products, including trusts, mutual funds and the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX).

The third priority objective, said Mr. Davis, recognises the responsibility BIBA has in representing the international business interests to our decision makers.

He said, "Even though we are a small community, we cannot assume any more that those in positions of influence -- politicians, government officials, regulators, educators, etc. -- are familiar with the changing needs of business in order for us to remain internationally competitive. What we are really talking about is effective communication.'' BIBA has also had "very productive meetings'' with the executive of the International Companies Division of the Chamber of Commerce, the result of which has been the combining together of committees to consider and implement matters of common interest.

BIBA operated on a government grant of $550,000, together with membership and contributions of $147,933 and interest and other income of $13,243 for a total operating revenue of $711,176. Total revenue was pegged at less than a million dollars ($976,891), while total expenses were $974,077.

BUSINESS BUC