The Asbru Enterprise Park, located in Keflavik, is pushing Iceland to the forefront of entrepreneurship, education and business development. The park offers enthusiastic academic programs at Keilir: Atlantic Center of Excellence, aviation training, Iceland’s first international data centre and other inspiring projects such as medical tourism.
In 2006, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) abandoned its military base in Keflavik, leaving over 900 local people unemployed. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of the departure, the local population looked at the opportunities and consequently established the enterprise park, Asbru. The park’s main areas of interest are to focus on technology, engineering and renewable energy, in order to create new jobs in Iceland, as well as education facilities.
The Keilir: Atlantic Center of Excellence, located within the park, consists of four different schools: the Health Academy, School of Energy and Technology and the Aviation Academy. Each school has the same objective in preparing students for further studies at university, whilst providing excellent specialist training.
Asbru Enterprise Park is also set to host an innovative venture by Kadeco, combining medical advancements with medical tourism. The hospital specialising in fat-removal, joint replacements and other medical treatments will house around 35 hospital beds, three operating theatres and all together have the capability of treating up to 4,000 patients per year.
Housing facilities within the park will also be utilised to accommodate patients and their families. The location for the hospital facility was chosen largely due to the area’s vast knowledge and experience of tourism. It is also believed that up to 300 new jobs will be created by the redevelopment of the hospital and its related services.
For more information regarding the Asbru Enterprise Park and other business developments in Iceland visit http://asbru.is/English/
Fisy talks about “earning” and not borrowing…. Could nto be more on target… In today’s economy it is not what we can borrow but what we have earned…
If you look at those not effected by the current economy down fall, they all have one thing in common, SAVINGS NOT DEBT
Thanks,
Tom
The question is: Does Iceland have the money for this now? I think the US’ economy is going down the same path.
” Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of the departure, the local population looked at the opportunities and consequently established the enterprise park, Asbru ”
As Mike UK Nordic Analyst did say the lesson we have learned is that we must earn foreign currency, not borrow it.
And the best way is to get more free trade agreement with other countries ( directly on our own or through EFTA negotations ) and also to make best use of our location for things like the data centers, the Dorrit idea art storage place, the between US and EU conference center, etc.
( This is conference center is very valid as any one who has tried to enter US for a conference or meeting in recent years — harrassment and just plain poor treatment of travellers and visitors. )
Being between US and Europe Iceland is ideal location. )
Fish, aluminum smelter using energy, future oil and gas that will come from Drekki, etc.
Thank the gods we are outside EU in EFTA and only have the less than the 10% of EU regulations to pay for, our own currency, and ability to trade freely with who we want.
https://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/04/29/international-interest-in-iceland’s-eu-position-persists/#comment-74173
https://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/04/29/international-interest-in-iceland’s-eu-position-persists/#comment-74711
Truly an innovation with Keilir and excellent with the completion of ASBRU Entertprise Park. The area will be much more productive.