Iceland鈥檚 new ambassador to the 海角视频 has welcomed the recently agreed trade deal between the two nations on his first visit to Grimsby.
And Sturla Sigurj贸nsson hopes the North Atlantic nation can help the 海角视频 build back its own fisheries interests, while technical details over frictionless movement are ironed out to ensure the supply chain stays strong.
Mr Sigurj贸nsson enjoyed a full programme of visits and introductions, with consul, Grimsby solicitor Jonathan Goolden hosting.
Civic leaders, Icelandic shipping line Eimskip and end users of the nation鈥檚 favourite export - from the artisan Alfred Enderby to the market leader Young鈥檚 Seafood, were taken in after an early morning start on Grimsby Fish Market where 75 per cent of the sales are Icelandic.
Stopping at Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre to take in the Ross Tiger trawler and newspaper cartoons from the Cod War era that will form part of a joint exhibition with the Icelandic Embassy, he said: 鈥淎ll my life I have been aware of the historical connection between Grimsby and Iceland, and I鈥檝e felt in Iceland I could sense the affinity of Icelanders towards the people of Grimsby.
鈥淚t has been a very pleasant first visit and I have been impressed with the vibrancy I have seen here. I鈥檓 particularly impressed with how people have adapted; when fisheries have declined, in has come wind power, and that seems to be extremely promising.鈥
Triton Knoll offshore wind farm was a further stop-off, after the Kasbah Heritage Action Zone.
Of the trade deal, which also includes Norway and Liechtenstein, he said: 鈥淚t is very important to ensure continuity and predictability in our trade. That鈥檚 what the free trade agreement does. We have to work together closely on implementation, including technical issues not only due to the FTA, but to adapt to new ways after Brexit.
鈥淎s far as I can see we have keen interest in both sides to do that.鈥
Border controls for the fresh seafood being processed in Grimsby is seen as key. 鈥淚t needs to move quickly,鈥 he said.
Turning to the fisheries side, Mr Sigurj贸nsson, accompanied by his wife El铆n J贸nsd贸ttir, said: 鈥淲e believe we can share experience with the 海角视频, and with Grimsby in particular. We have exemplary fisheries management, we have learned a lot over the past 30 years - some the hard way - but it has been pretty successful.
鈥淲e鈥檝e also discussed maximising utilisation of the catch - things we do have proved quite a success in Iceland - be it with cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.鈥
