"We should attract companies, not drive them away"

Morgunblaðið stands by the principle that Reykjavík should be a beacon for business, not a deterrent. Hildur Björnsdóttir, leader of the Independence Party in the city, rightly points out a concerning trend: our capital is driving away significant companies. Hekla's departure, following issues with city bureaucracy, is just one example. We've also seen Icelandair and Malbikunarstöðin Höfða face similar challenges, with companies being denied land or facing prohibitive taxes. This is not merely an economic issue; it's a failure of vision. Neighboring municipalities are actively courting businesses, while Reykjavík seems content to let them slip away. The relocation of Tækniskólinn to Hafnarfjörður is another regrettable loss. Our city council needs to shift from a role of oversight and obstruction to one of genuine service. We must streamline processes, provide adequate industrial land, and offer competitive tax rates. Reykjavík has the potential to be a hub for innovation and enterprise, attracting both domestic and international companies. It is imperative that we foster an environment where businesses can thrive, contribute to our economy, and create jobs, rather than pushing them to seek opportunities elsewhere.

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Þetta er auðvitað dæmigert fyrir viðhorf borgarinnar gagnvart atvinnurekstri sem hefur ríkt núna um langt skeið og Hekla er bara eitt dæmi af mörgum stórum og öflugum fyrirtækjum sem við missum úr höfuðborginni.