they need to succeed in the international business sector, the head of the Island's largest bank said at a forum yesterday.

Bank of Bermuda Ltd. president and chief executive officer Henry Smith said many Bermudians arrive looking for a job at the company lacking basic communication and mathematical skills.

"We are concerned about the level of basic education that they don't have,'' he said yesterday during a panel discussion at St. Paul's Centennial Hall.

Mr. Smith said education in computer technology skills was also lacking in Bermuda's schools.

He called on Government to invest more in ensuring the education system helped equip Bermudians to enter the sector and succeed.

"If we don't we are going to feel the pain later,'' he said.

International business also need to create more awareness among young Bermudians about the job possibilities for them in the sector. The challenge was to get Bermudians into business and to keep them there through training and creating a career path for them.

"There are a lot of young Bermudians who don't feel welcome in the international business sector,'' he said.

Mr. Smith called for an end to protectionism of local and international business so they could compete freely in the global marketplace.

Bermuda was going though a boom period in the international business sector due to its strategic location, its infrastructure, its well educated Bermudian and expatriate work force, its legislative and regulatory framework and strong support from Government.

The base for continued growth has been built and the globalisation of the marketplace, made possible through technology and communications, means Bermuda can compete more easily with any where else in the world, he said.

"Simply put the world is becoming a more level playing field,'' he said.

But globalisation also means other places can also compete easily with Bermuda.

"We might find it easier to get into the game but it means we have to play it better,'' he said. "...We cannot afford to sit back in Bermuda in a protected environment.'' It was critical for Government to "free up Bermuda's business, international and local to compete'' on the world stage.

He added that international business and tourism both needed to be healthy for the economy to be strong.

"International business and tourism are a working partnership and they both feed this Island,'' he said.

Other Bermudian speakers at the forum included Meredith Head of Partner Reinsurance, Duaene Dill of Atlantic Security Ltd., Antoinette Bolden of Emerald Financial Group, Dennis Tucker of Sonesta Beach Resort, and Garry Madeiros of Belco Holdings Ltd.

The forum was held as part of a week of activities focusing on international business.

EDUCATION ED