Invest in Iceland
Iceland is located midway between Europe and North America. This nation of 320,000 people has seen rapid economic development since it gained independence in 1944.
Why Iceland?
A large number of overseas investors have located new plants in Iceland in a range of industries. Power-intensive industrial production, mainly focusing on metals, has led the foreign investment field to date.
Now, growing numbers of investors are acquiring stakes in dynamic high-tech enterprises, or making strategic purchases in production and services related to their own international activities. They have found an investor-friendly environment with high professional standards in all the support services that a business launch needs.
Leading international banks have managed and provided finance for many of the foreign investment projects undertaken in Iceland. Domestic banks offer a full range of traditional banking services. Cheques and other paper-based payment instruments have given way to electronic solutions.
Professional services
Major international accounting companies work alongside local organisations to provide in-depth knowledge of the local tax and accounting environment.
A number of law firms specialise in international work and assist foreign investors with set-up and contractual formalities. PR consultancies with international links and a whole array of other professional services have Icelandic offices.
International Connections
Regular sailings carry freight to and from major ports in Europe and the USA. Shipping takes 3–4 days to Europe and 7–8 days to North America.
Flight times are 2–3 hours to major gateways in Europe and 5–6 hours to the east coast of North America.
Keflavik is the main international airport. Located 50 km west of Reykjavik, it is a border point for entering Europe under the Schengen Agreement.
Communications
Underwater cables connect Iceland to mainland telephone and internet networks in Europe and America. Plans are underway to further strengthen and extend these links. All population centres in the country have access to high-speed fibre-optic cable services. A very high proportion of Icelanders use the internet regularly.
Populated areas and many outlying areas also enjoy reliable landline and mobile phone services.