Iceland; Small Fish in a Global Pond Case Study Review

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“ICELAND; SMALL FISH IN A GLOBAL POND” CASE STUDY REVIEW Introduction Iceland was an island nation with majority of the land was mountanious and of volcanic origin. The second-largest island in the Atlantic Ocean has among the most productive fishing ground in the North Atlantic. Iceland also enjoyed an abundant supply of geothermal energy, visible in the many hot springs dotting the country. Iceland’s topography also led to abundant potential for hydroelectric power. Before the year of 2007, decades of impressive growth makes Iceland one of the most prosperous country in the world with GDP per capita (PPP-adjusted) growth of 2.8% (1950 – 1970); 5,2% (1970 – 1980); 0.8% (1980 -1995); 3.2% (1995 – 2005). Iceland was ranked 13th in its Business Competitive Index in the 2006 Global Competitive Report (GCR) and 12th in the World’s Bank “Doing Business” ranking. The country was enjoying high growth, low unemployment, high wage growth and low personal and corporate tax. Their workforce was well-skilled and the country was generally seen as an example of low corruption and limited bureaucracy. In reality, trade and financial policies implemented since 1944 and economic situation of other countries moved Iceland economy into recession in late 80s until mid 1990s. Implementation of series of strategies to liberalize economy and state-owned companies in 1994 to 2006 increased cost-of-living and public expenditure, with wage growth outpacing productivity. This contributes to the following issues: • Increasing inequality in income distribution; • Economic growth which is incompatible with the country’s environmental values; • Household debts that has risen from 80% in 1990 to 192% in 2004; • Dramatic increase of value of asset prices (including real estate) and pension-fund holdings; • The question of sustainability of current

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