Despite the financial challenges often faced by non for profits, the Chamber
continues to work diligently on behalf of its members. Through the hard work of
its administrative team and a group of dedicated volunteers, both the Executive
Board and active Committee members, the Chamber can boast a number of
achievements over the last few years.
The Chamber has participated in an ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of
Labour Affairs and Public Safety on a number of key issues and was successful in
a number of these areas including:
- Work Permits - improvement on turnaround times.
- Proposed Overtime Legislation – the Restaurant Division successfully
lobbied the government on this proposed legislation citing the detrimental
effect that any form of overtime would have on their (mostly) seasonal
industry.
- Proposed extended work week – The Chamber joined the unions and a number
of organizations to successfully lobby against this proposal.
- Term Limits – consideration was given to “key” and “scarce” categories,
as they apply to the restaurant industry (other industries were afforded the
same).
- Entertainment Options and Policies - due to the decline of viable
entertainment in Bermuda, the Minister allowed for twelve month use of
foreign entertainment (on a case by case basis, and ONLY if Bermudians were
not available).
The Chamber has successfully lobbied the Ministry of Finance for:
- Duty concessions extended to refurbish retail stores through to March
2010, including having items added to the list.
- Customs duty deferment for retailers.
- Payroll concessions - relief to retailers whose payroll is in excess of
$200,000 per year starting in the first quarter of 2011.
- Reducing the rate of duty on most electronics reduced from 33.33 % to
22.25 %.
- The Restaurant Concessions Act re: refurbishment and extension.
- Removal of restrictions on Public Holiday openings for retailers.
- Duty relief on fuel for watersports.
- Funding to support the Buy Bermuda campaign.
The Chamber initiated two street festivals - Harbour Nights and Destination
Dockyard to promote local entrepreneurs, evening shopping, restaurants and
clubs, while creating a community spirit, and an attraction for visitors, in
both Hamilton and Dockyard.
The Chamber was a partner with the Bermuda Department of Tourism in their
negotiations to have a regular cruise-ship caller return to Hamilton.
The Chamber launched BUY Bermuda, a successful ‘benefit driven’ advertising
campaign to promote and encourage Bermuda residents to shop “at home” and keep
Bermudians working.
The Chamber initiated a number of other successful events and promotions to
help draw both visitor and local traffic into members’ establishments or to help
promote their goods, including: NCL Dine Ashore program, Passport to Bermuda
Savings, Endless Summer Free Nights/Free Meals, Chamber Festival, Restaurant
Weeks, Friday Late Night Shopping entertainment and a Christmas Craft Market.
The Chamber, through the Business Technology Division and with the help of a
number of key member sponsors hosted The WITSA Global Public Policy Summit
(GPPS2009); providing those in the ICT community with an ideal opportunity to
network with both the private and public sector policy makers from around the
world. As a result of their efforts in this regard, the Bermuda Chamber of
Commerce was recently designated as the WITSA Caribbean Regional Office.
The Chamber continues to represent the interests of its members through
ongoing, open dialogue with the various Government Ministries and Departments,
so we encourage you to visit our Lobby
Efforts page for any updates.