Foreigners in Iceland
Over the last few weeks I've spent time with people from Austria, Estonia, France and Poland. All countries who are fully fledged members of the European Union. But not all of these people are originally from these countries they call home. One of them is actually a holder of a S-Korean passport and another has a family that traces its routes to Russia. Now based on the propaganda from the anti-EU camp here in Iceland. This sort of thing should be impossible. Apparently as soon as Iceland signs up to the European Union. All foreign relations will be closed. Except to countries within the EU. It's like we wouldn't be able to attract any foreign investment or foreigners to Iceland. Except from countries within the EU. We'll become part of this. Hold on a second. I'm not even going to use this metaphor. Because it's so incredibly stupid that it's like a white person trying to argue that using the "N" word is just part of "open and frank discussion on racial issues". So I won't say it. But here's a link to it. Just don't say I didn't warn you.
Actually I'll have to admit that I was surprised to learn. That Poland has been a magnet for foreign investment since it joined the EU. I actually shouldn't have. After all the Polish have a great central location. Actually right in the middle of Europe. Once the Soviet block collapsed. The Poles started to draw in foreign investors. I'm sure the foreign investors liked the fact that wages were low. But I don't think it was just that. I'm sure that they also liked the fact that Poland was quick to apply for both EU and NATO membership. After all, when you are thinking about how to invest your money, you'd rather not invest it somewhere without a clear legal environment. You'd also want to be able to get to your money when you need it. You'd prefer a location with a well educated population. Somewhere with a political system that wasn't corrupt. A location that offered good transportation options to your key markets. Now I'm thinking how well Iceland seems to measure up to these requirements. How well does your own country do?
But enough with the political stuff. I've seen some fantastic movies lately. Saw Departures the other day. Departures is a 2008 Japanese film by Yōjirō Takita. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2009 Oscars. Fantastic movie. If you have some time and know how to find this movie. Do yourself a favor and get it and watch it. It's such a refreshing experience to see such a good movie.
Actually I'll have to admit that I was surprised to learn. That Poland has been a magnet for foreign investment since it joined the EU. I actually shouldn't have. After all the Polish have a great central location. Actually right in the middle of Europe. Once the Soviet block collapsed. The Poles started to draw in foreign investors. I'm sure the foreign investors liked the fact that wages were low. But I don't think it was just that. I'm sure that they also liked the fact that Poland was quick to apply for both EU and NATO membership. After all, when you are thinking about how to invest your money, you'd rather not invest it somewhere without a clear legal environment. You'd also want to be able to get to your money when you need it. You'd prefer a location with a well educated population. Somewhere with a political system that wasn't corrupt. A location that offered good transportation options to your key markets. Now I'm thinking how well Iceland seems to measure up to these requirements. How well does your own country do?
But enough with the political stuff. I've seen some fantastic movies lately. Saw Departures the other day. Departures is a 2008 Japanese film by Yōjirō Takita. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2009 Oscars. Fantastic movie. If you have some time and know how to find this movie. Do yourself a favor and get it and watch it. It's such a refreshing experience to see such a good movie.
Ummæli