Greenland considers economic diversification – but at what cost? - video Dailymotion

CGTN Europe

Greenland’s income is primarily fishing-based, but should the islanders consider mining more minerals? CGTN’s Iolo ap Dafydd reports from Greenland.  Read this piece in full 👇 https://tinyurl.com/5dsxd8e8   #greenland

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00:00This week is potentially one of the most consequential in this island's history,

00:04but in this fish processing plant in Nuuk, it's business as usual.

00:09We have 38 factories, large factories in all the larger cities

00:16and a lot of small factories in the small settlements.

00:20We produce fish and cut and help with here in Nuuk.

00:24We produce around 2,000 tons a year.

00:27We are a medium-sized factory compared to other factories we have here in Greenland.

00:33Greenland has fisheries agreements with the Faroe Islands, Norway and Iceland

00:37and a general agreement with the European Union.

00:40It's the backbone of the local economy here, generating a third of Greenland's annual turnover.

00:46In a sector dominated by large private and publicly owned companies,

00:50there's a small army of self-employed fishermen like Lars.

00:54He's one of 4,000 working in the industry.

00:58Fishing can't be fully sustained today because some companies' operating costs,

01:02like Royal Greenland, are so high.

01:04But fish prices aren't increasing for us because the management is so expensive.

01:08There's a focus on restructuring to make sure that all fishing operations stay within Greenland.

01:14At 69 years of age, he's partly retired.

01:17But like many other older fishermen, he says he still needs to work a few days each week.

01:22Cod and halibut are the prized catch.

01:25Fishing is a well-established industry here, but many local politicians say

01:29in order to grow the economy and to survive as an independent state sometime in the future,

01:35Greenland should develop new industries to create more work and create more wealth.

01:41That's why mining minerals excites many investors and companies internationally.

01:48This gold mine in the south of Greenland is one of only a handful that are currently operational.

01:54It takes time, money, and infrastructure,

01:57which is why several political parties are calling for a vote on independence from Denmark

02:02to allow Greenland to capitalize on mining copper, graphite, and zinc.

02:07The minister in charge of natural resources decides on permits and licensing.

02:12She's worried about U.S. interest in Greenland's minerals,

02:15and if large-scale mining does happen, the impact on communities and the environment.

02:21We cannot develop in any way without outside workforce coming into Greenland.

02:26How do we utilize that foreign workforce best? Where do we apply it?

02:32We have the mineral sector where it's usual to fly in, fly out.

02:35It's the same with the fisheries. It's fly in, fly out.

02:38So I think we're also trying to be mindful of what kind of sectors would be suitable

02:43with a country with a small workforce and where we are very reliant on foreign workers.

02:48When bad weather blows in, only the brave venture out into a bitterly cold wind.

02:53In June, more tourists will arrive in another fledgling industry

02:57for the first time on direct flights from New York to Nook.

03:01Yoloap Davids, CGTN, Greenland.

Greenland considers economic diversification – but at what cost?

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