Action Plan for the Westfjords

The government decided in its meeting this morning, at the suggestion of the Prime Minister, to appoint a committee led by the Prime Minister's Office to work on an action plan for the Westfjords. The committee will operate in close collaboration with other ministries and in consultation with the steering group of the ministries on regional development and the Westfjords Regional Association. It is proposed that the committee submit its recommendations by 31 August this year at the latest.

"More areas in the country are in need of support, and it is anticipated that if the aforementioned project goes well, similar actions will be considered for those areas. It is very important to continue working strategically to strengthen the economy and promote diverse job opportunities throughout the country," said Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, the Prime Minister, after the government meeting.

The government's policy statement states that society is a collaborative project where all jobs matter, and it is essential that support is provided to those in need of assistance. Furthermore, people should be able to enjoy the fruits of their labour and creativity. It also notes that it is evident that certain communities face greater difficulties than others and that an assessment needs to be made of those areas to develop proposals on how to address the pressing issues. It is then stated that efforts should be aimed at strengthening communities, increasing value creation and investment, and creating more jobs in rural areas.

The population of the Westfjords as a whole has decreased from about 8,500 to 6,900, representing a decline of about 20% (1,673) from 1 January 1998 to 1 January 2016. The most significant decline occurred in the first decade of this century, but over the last three years, a stable population number has been maintained. However, the most concerning development relates to the age composition of the Westfjords' population. There has been a decrease of 30-40% in the age group from 0 to 40 years, while at the same time, the older age groups are increasing.

A serious situation has developed in social and economic development in the Westfjords in recent decades. However, signs of recovery are visible with an increase in population in the southern Westfjords, which can be directly linked to the development of the local economy in the area. Similar opportunities for economic development can also be identified in other parts of the Westfjords. "There is a case to be made that it may be possible to reverse the trend with coordinated efforts from the business sector and the government," said the Prime Minister.

Source: www.forsaetisraduneyti.is