Need money to fund the mistakes
Guðmundur Fertram Sigurjónsson, founder and CEO of Kerecis, says he strongly doubts that the company had reached the same heights as it is now if the fishing fees in the fisheries sector had been similar to what they are aiming for with the government’s amended bill.
« I very much doubt that. There are 12 companies in the Westfjords that suffer more than 80% of the profit reduction, » he says, with the consequences of the bill.
Does not invest in innovation
« That means that if the company is profitable about 100 million for this system it will benefit about 20 million after this change. Institutes or Marel, it will only boil down, « he says.
« Then the situation in the fisheries sector in Iceland will be as it is in the neighboring states as this is a unintended industry that is supported by the state and no young people want to work in, » Gudmundur adds, but he spoke to the journalist after the end breakfast meeting The Confederation of Employers on fishing fees this morning.
Less about venture capital
Asked what the effect of the fishing tax bill could have on his company, he says Kerecis independent of the fishing system and the impact therefore none. For example, he mentions that if he was someone who came up with new ideas about technology to utilize more flesh of cod on cod, he would have to seek capital.
« If there is no bearable operation in fisheries companies, they are unlikely to put venture capital into some idea in someone. This idea, it was in my head with redness (sore) for some 14 years. It has led Kerecis to be one of the largest companies in the country.
« Need to nurture such ideas »
« The Westfjords tax footprint is increasing from 30 billion over the past five years to 60 billion over the next five years plus 40 billion that are coming out of Selling Kerecis on intellectual property. We need to foster such ideas and those who are best suited to invest in ideas related to the fisheries sector is the business itself. Changing how the Icelandic fishing industry works so that it becomes like the fishing industry abroad where people are leaving death from shell is not good for anything in Iceland. It means less taxes, less money in operating our schools, the health care system and building new roads, ”adds Guðmundur, who does not claim to be a stakeholder in the operation of any fisheries company but only wants the best for the Westfjords.
From the panel discussion.
mbl.is/karitas
About 100 people work at Kerecis in Ísafjörður, 40 in Reykjavik and 700 in the United States. In addition, the company has become part of Coloplast, which has about 20,000 employees.
« We are exporting products for 30 billion to the United States. If we take all cod exports, we have 25% of all of Iceland’s cod value. These increased income comes without catching any fish. We need to have an environment where people can try to make such a business.
