Bermuda's standing invitation to a major international economic forum could be in jeopardy, businessman and former Premier Sir John Swan warned.

Sir John -- who secured the Island's first invitation to the Swiss-based World Economic Forum -- spoke out after controversy erupted over Government's plans to take a massive entourage to the event, including gombey dancers, barmen and chefs.

He said: "When you look at Bermuda, its 60,000 people and its Gross Domestic Product in relation to most of the countries which attend, it's very small, very insignificant.

He added: "We were invited to return on a consistent basis to make our contribution to these affairs. What we have to be so careful about is that we don't get criticised, or the association doesn't get criticised, over Bermuda's disproportionate attendance.

"My hope is that we don't put this invitation at risk by so profiling ourselves that it brings to the attention the disproportionate numbers Bermuda has in that only 700 people or so allowed are to attend.'' Sir John said the organisers of the annual meeting for top movers and shakers from politics, business, industry and the academic world had pegged the maximum number of delegates at around 700.

And he said too high a profile for Bermuda could lead to resentment from larger, more powerful, countries at the Davos conference -- and countries not invited to attend.

Bermuda has a lot at stake in Davos: Sir John The long-time United Bermuda Party Premier stressed he was not out to score political points or become involved in the row surrounding the plans, branded by the current Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon as "a circus''.

In addition to the usual Government and business delegates, around 30 people, led by Tourism Minister David Allen, are expected to visit Davos, including two chefs, two bar men, ten gombeys and nine members of the Bermuda Regiment Band.

Government countered criticism by saying that plans for a Bermuda-themed reception -- rather than the traditional formal black tie dinner -- was intended to highlight the relationship between international business and tourism.

Sir John said: "I'm not here to criticise, just to lay out the facts. The Government is the Government of the day and I have a respect for that.'' Sir John said the Island received its first invitation after lobbying of conference founders convinced them Bermuda's offshore industry -- particularly the booming reinsurance business -- merited inclusion.

And he added that the Premier and Minister of Finance attended -- and supported a delegation from the Island's business world as well.

Sir John said: "That was the reason Bermuda was allowed to join because of our large reinsurance business, not our tourism business.'' And he added the Forum allowed Bermuda to pick up trends and exploit them -- including the trust business -- as well as other ideas.

Sir John said: "It was unusual because, generally speaking, small countries in and of themselves are usually not present at Davos because it's really a world economic event and we are an Overseas Territory.

"Davos is probably the most important forum Bermuda attends and we attend it without restrictions -- and we must not misinterpret this unrestricted access we have had.'' And Sir John warned that the Island's continued participation -- especially in light of increasing moves towards a global economy based around high-tech computer communications -- was more vital than ever before.

Sir John said: "A good example is e-commerce, where people encouraged us to set up the infrastructure in Bermuda to take advantage of this.

"The direction we're going in -- creating new business -- is partially a result of attendance at the World Economic Forum, the dialogue and sharing of information.

"Bermuda has a lot at stake in relationship to the World Economic Forum if we're to remain a premier international centre.

"The fact that we've not been restricted in the number of attendees is something we have to guard. We must not take for granted that our invitation and the numbers which are allowed to attend are always going to be available to us.'' Sir John Swan GOVERNMENT GVT