Importers who bring items into Bermuda that will be of advantage to the economy can now get a retrospective rebate on Customs duty.

MPs passed an amended law on Monday night giving the Finance Minister the power to grant a retroactive exemption from duty or a lower rate of duty for materials brought in up to a year before. Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Paula Cox told the House of Assembly that two pending orders would benefit from the amended law.

Bermuda Zoological Society will get a remission for its educational research vessel Endurance, brought to the Island last summer.

"This vessel will benefit all Bermudians as a result of the continuing research in support of Bermuda's maritime culture, for example, the Bermuda Turtle Project and the Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Assessment and Management Project," said Ms Cox. "The vessel will also allow students to engage in practical marine field research programmes showcasing Bermuda's natural history."

The other remission order is for Cable Co. Ltd. She said it had imported apparatus and machinery to enable it to build and operate a telecom network infrastructure on the Island, which would place it on the "same platform" as similar companies.