Party wins the upcoming election.

PLP campaign co-chairman Mr. Terry Lister said in a recent interview that one Cabinet Minister would be "dedicated to the needs of international business''.

"The Minister would listen to what the industry says; also work with Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA); and help new companies with their banking, housing, work permits arrangements in order to ease their arrival in Bermuda,'' said Mr. Lister, who was announced as a PLP candidate for Southampton West on Monday.

He said the idea of a Ministry for International Business would have to be sold to the existing business community, which might view it as an attempt to control the sector through regulations and red tape.

But he categorically stated the PLP's economic policy is to support international business "to the hilt''.

"The PLP has always supported international business. In our platform of 1963, the PLP recommended that Bermuda pursue international business,'' he said. "Bermuda's economy can be managed without resorting to income taxes and without breaking promises to international business that they will be free of any crazy taxes until 2016.'' Mr. Lister said the renewal of the tax arrangement between the Government and exempted companies, that is formally legislated every ten years, would be altered under a PLP Government.

"A PLP government will not legislate a change every ten years, we will have an automatic rolling forwards, just like licensing a car. Every year a company would simply sign and it would be extended one year and create a 20-year span of security.

"As opposed to what is usually heard, the PLP policy is to bring ex-pats into the country. Our goal is that when we go to polls in the year 2000, we will have 2,000 more exempted companies and a minimum of 8,000 work permits in place.

"The PLP sees no reason to deny any company the right to have senior staff brought in should that be required. As these companies grow, we expect that they will seek out the best available Bermudian talent. But, we would not demand that. The scenario that we envisage is that if a talented Bermudian is fit for the top post, the out-going expat manager will recommend him or her for the job.

"There has been talk of restricting expats from exporting earnings. I have no problem with that. They have earned it. Expats should be allowed into Bermuda to earn as much money as they can.'' Mr. Lister also confirmed that the PLP would not impose exchange control on international business.

"There is a lack of understanding and information about the role of international business,'' he said. "BIBA has done everything it can to show the worth of the sector to Bermuda. Many people just do not understand international business.'' Mr. Lister also criticised Minister of Finance the Hon. David Saul for emphasising the importance of international companies compared to tourism.

He said it was "ludicrous'' that the Government invested $150,000 in marketing and developing international business and $26 million in promoting tourism, when the two sectors earnt similar income.

"I have demanded a break down between real tourist and business traveller but the Government will not produce the figures. The public will be shocked by the number of real life tourist who come to the island.

"After the election, tourism figures will be looked at first so we can find out what is the true state of tourism and arrest the decline.'' Senior partner at Cooper and Lines Mr. Richard Butterfield, the chairman of the BIBA, said he did not support the new ministry plan.

"I see no benefit in changing to a department that have a less influential and comprehensive portfolio than the existing Ministry of Finance,'' he said.

He also said he considered Mr. Lister's other proposals predictable. "I would expect him to say this before an election,'' he said.

Mr. Terry Lister.