Bermuda was back to business within 48 hours of a hit from Hurricane Gonzalo, company executives said yesterday.

Graham Pewter, head of insurance and reinsurance firm Catlin, said the Island had prepared well for Gonazalo after an unexpected impact from Tropical Storm Fay a few days earlier.

He added: “The emergency services, supported by the Bermuda Regiment, did a great job. Our normal business suffered no post-storm interruption.

“The services infrastructure here allows Catlin and the international business sector in general to face weather-related events with confidence.”

And the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers (ABIR) highlighted the “outstanding demonstration of resilience” in the face of the storms.

ABIR’s Leila Madeiros said most — if not all — member businesses were open on Monday after a clear-up in Hamilton.

She added: “It is a testament to the Island’s excellent state of preparedness in advance of an approaching hurricane, strict building codes which help protect residents and minimise injury and effective restoration measures that make Bermuda an admirable example others could follow.”

Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) CEO and president Greg Wojciechowski closed last Friday as Gonzalo barrelled towards Bermuda — but was open again on Monday morning as usual.

He added that the BSX state of the art operating system, licensed by Nasdaq/OMX, had been protected and that Nasdaq/OMX had been on standby to help if required.

Mr Wojciechowski said: “Thanks to the very hard work of many men and women from a wide array of support services, the Island’s commercial infrastructure escaped damage and business resumed without delay.

“It illustrates Bermuda’s commitment and support for its commercial partners, locally and internationally, during times of great challenge.” Ross Webber, CEO of the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), praised power firm Belco, the Bermuda Regiment and Government agencies, as well as the Corporation of Hamilton and St George’s, for their efforts.

He said: “Bermuda showed the world its strength and character this week. The City of Hamilton was operating as normal less than 48 hours after a Category 3 hurricane.

“That is a true testament to the energy, resilience and commitment of the Island and its residents. It’s why we’re a stellar jurisdiction.”