Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition 2005

Q: What are the main changes this year to the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition 2005 from other editions?

A: We are very pleased with the overseas interest in the exhibition this time. Iceland still remains a target for companies around the world because of the consistency and strength of the industry. Other countries have unfortunately suffered constant restrictions enforced by the EC. Overall Iceland has demonstrated that by careful management of both its fishing industry and fish stocks it is possible to have a sustainable industry. This strong position within the world of commercial fishing coupled with a very favorable exchange rate has only strengthened the exhibition once again.

We are delighted to introduce first time exhibitors including vessel builders from Canada and Lithuania, trawl and netting companies from China, Malaysia, Russia and Spain, as well as processing and packaging companies from Germany, Holland, Norway and Singapore. As always several country groups will also be attending the exhibition in September including Denmark, Faroe Islands and Norway. Great Britain will be returning with a group for the second time, and the Yorkshire and Humberside Seafood Group has doubled in size from 2002. For the very first time we can welcome groups from France and Italy.

Q: What makes the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition different from other exhibitions taking place around the world?

A: First and foremost the huge importance of the fishing industry to the country's economy. Secondly the three year cycle. If you look at the Iceland and Vigo shows both are giving exhibitors a chance to develop new products between events and by allowing more years between shows it also gives the companies a chance to spread their investments making exhibitions the most cost-effective marketing investments. Visitors are pulled rather than pushed to the exhibition - they know they will be visiting an event with many new innovations and the show itself looks fantastic because companies are investing heavily in the designs of their stands. It's a win situation for everyone.

Q: How do you see the Icelandic Fisheries industry at the moment?

A: Strong as always. The new programme of cod farming currently being implemented by the Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries is putting Iceland on the course for an even stronger position and will take the industry to a new level. It is amazing that a small nation of only 260,000 inhabitants is ranked 11th in the world's catching nations. In 2003, the catch record year, it reached 2.3 million tonnes. A 62% of its total exports come from fish or fish related products. When you look at comparative figures for other Scandinavian countries they are around 10%.

Q: What do you think Iceland has to offer to the rest of the world in terms of fishing?

A: Fantastic innovations in technology and machinery but then again it is hardly surprising when you are looking at a nation whose entire economy so heavily depends on fishing. Another factor is Icelandic knowlegde of controlling and sustaining this industry. Icelandic fishing companies welcome foreign investments but by law the majority sharers has to be kept within Iceland to hold the control.

Q: Which part of the fishing industry has shown more interest in the show?

A: It would be wrong to single out any sector. The exhibition has exhibitors covering the entire spectrum of fishing from shipyards to the electronic companies supplying the locating equipment, trawls, ropes, nets and winches for the catching, boxes, refrigeration equipment for the storage - the handling in the harbor/on land, to the actual seafood companies and the traders including the services and finance sector. However, as previously mentioned these areas have a great representation from overseas at the 2005 show.

Q: Is there any other events taking place around the exhibition time?

A: There will be a very topical conference on Cod Farming in the Nordic Countries. It will run in Hotel Nordica from September 6th - 8th - and allows attendees to visit the first day of the show. Details can be found on www.icefish.is.

On Wednesday morning will take place the opening of the show. The Minister of Fisheries Ã?rni Mathiesen will inaugurate the exhibition in the presence of the President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, the Mayor of Kopavogur Gunnar Birgisson, VIP's exhibitors and the press. The official opening will be followed by a tour around the exhibition.

The Awards Reception will take place in the evening hosted by the Minister of Fisheries and the Mayor of Kopavogur, the cocktail reception will be held in the Artgallery in Kopavogur and the Awards aspect of the evening has been sponsored by one of Iceland's big banks Islandsbanki and the large insurance company Sjova Almennar - 13 awards will be handed out in a short 1/2 hour ceremony to Icelandic and International inviduals and companies.

Friday night is the exhibition's Party Night. It is a totally new concept with the Cabaret "Le Sing" the singing waiters entertaining the guests while dining followed by dance and disco. It is an informal evening where exhibitors and visitors alike can enjoy good company and entertainment. Special interest to the exhibitors will be the judges announcement of the winners of the best invidual and group stand at the 2005 show.

On Saturday the announcement of the three winning schools for the Project Fishing - Past, present and future will be given their prizes by the Ministry of Fisheries, the Educational Ministry and the Prize sponsor the National Bank of Iceland - Landsbanki. This project was launched jointly by the two Ministeries earlier in the year and was aimed to create awarenes amongst primary and secondary pupils the importance of the fishing industry to Iceland.