Premier Brown and the PLP Government Team are working with key stakeholders to ensure that Bermuda is protected from punitive legislation that might unfairly target Bermuda in the upcoming session of the American Congress. The Royal Gazette reports:

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown has convened a summit of some of Bermuda's most influential international business stakeholders to create a unified lobbying strategy in Washington.

Key individuals who have long represented Bermuda's interests in the US such as Dr. Andrew Brimmer, lobbiest Ken Levine and former Clinton Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater were at the talks on Monday.

And there were more than a dozen business representatives including Bradley Kading, of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, David Ezekiel, of the Assocation of Bermuda International Companies, and Philip Butterfield, CEO of HSBC Bank of Bermuda.

Bermuda will run a coordinated advocacy effort aimed at educating American lawmakers about the important role Bermuda plays in keeping insurance premiums affordable. Millions of Americans benefit from affordable insurance when disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, strike. Bermuda has paid out countless millions in claims to Americans over the years.

According to Minister Cox and Premier Brown, the initial strategy was a success. Minister Cox concludes:

We had many of the movers and shakers in our business sector coming together to be 'Team Bermuda' and speaking with one voice.

They are clearly active participants in Bermuda and they clearly have an identity of interest with the Government and with the people of Bermuda.

The PLP Government is working overtime to ensure that Bermuda is protected from unfairly punitive legislation.