Kaupthing Bank Executive Chairman Sigurdur Einarsson has given his support to further formal trade agreements between his country, Iceland, and the Isle of Man.

Last week, he became the first banking representative to be an official guest of Tynwald.

In a media release he says: 'I had an excellent trip to the Isle of Man and was most impressed with everyone I met during my visit. It is a testament to the endeavours of the Manx Government that over the last decade the Isle of Man’s per capita national income has doubled, to move from being 25% below to 10% above that of the United Kingdom.
This is indeed a great achievement and, together with the well-structured and regulated jurisdiction, has created a very attractive economic environment in which to conduct business.

'There are many similarities between the Isle of Man and Iceland, both culturally and through the same entrepreneurial spirit and independence of mind. It is not a coincidence that Iceland has indicated its desire to establish some further formal trade agreements with the Isle of Man and I would give this my total support. I’m proud that Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander has had such a long-standing presence of some 36 years on the Island and we look forward to building even closer and stronger relationships in the future'.

(Picture: Kaupthing Bank Executive Chairman Sigurdur Einarsson (second left) meeting Treasury Minister Allan Bell (far left), the Isle of Man Government’s Chief Financial Officer Mark Shimmin (second right) and Financial Supervision Commission Chief Executive John Aspden for lunch at Samuel Harris House, Headquarters of Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander (Isle of Man) Limited).