Iceland finance sector group hosts debate on proposed tax hikes

The Association of Companies in Financial Services is hosting a meeting on proposed tax increases for financial-sector companies, mbl.is reported. The event takes place at Smárabíó and begins at 9 a.m. on Monday under the title “Higher taxes, lost opportunities?”

The meeting is being streamed live and will examine the state and future direction of Iceland’s financing environment, including the effects of taxes, regulation and government measures.

Participants will also discuss future opportunities to finance Icelandic businesses, the impact of predictable taxation and regulation on Iceland’s competitiveness, and taxes on Icelandic banks in an international comparison.

Speakers include Arna Lára Jónsdóttir, a Social Democratic Alliance MP and chair of the parliament’s Economic Affairs and Trade Committee; Daði Már Kristófersson, minister of finance and economic affairs; Ellert Arnarson, chief financial officer of Amaroq Minerals; Dr Gunnar Haraldsson, economist and founder of Intellecon; Hildur Sverrisdóttir, an Independence Party MP; Iða Brá Benediktsdóttir, deputy CEO of Arion Bank; Ingvar Haraldsson, director of analysis and communications at the Association of Companies in Financial Services; Íris Björk Hreinsdóttir, the association’s chief legal officer; Jón Guðni Ómarsson, CEO of Íslandsbanki; Lars Christensen, economist and managing director of Ipace; Lev Ratnovski, an economist at the International Monetary Fund; Reynir Stefán Gylfason, auditor and partner at KPMG; Sigríður Andersen, parliamentary group leader of the Centre Party; and Tanya Zharov, a lawyer and business board member.

Heiðrún Jónsdóttir, managing director of the Association of Companies in Financial Services, will chair the meeting.