Printer-friendly version
 go
|
|
November 24, 2008
Nearly 80% of Icelanders regard aluminum smelters as having a positive impact on the Icelandic economy
Over 78% of Icelanders regard aluminum smelters as having a positive impact on the Icelandic economy. Just over 8% view the impact as rather or very negative. This was among the findings of a national survey conducted by Capacent Gallup in Iceland for Alcoa Fjardaál.
Over 59% of Icelanders are very orrather positive toward Fjardaál in Reydarfjordur. This figure was 55.1% at the start of 2005. Icelanders are now generally more positive toward the construction of aluminum smelters than they were two years ago. Nearly 49% of Icelanders are now rather or very positive toward the construction of aluminum smelters, and this figure has increased by eight percentage points over a two-year period. Just over 32% of Icelanders are rather or very negative toward the construction of aluminum smelters, and this figure has decreased by six percentage points since 2006.
90% of those living in Central East Iceland think that the Alcoa Aluminum Smelter in Reydarfjordur has had a rather or very positive effect on the living conditions in East Iceland, and over 95% of the residents there are pleased to live in this part of Iceland. 66% of the residents are pleased with the services available in the area, but those who are displeased with the services want increased shopping possibilities (34.3%), a greater diversity of services (26.9%), increased leisure time activities (21.5%) and better communications (18.1%). In a comparable survey done at the end of March/beginning of April 2007, 23.5% of those who were displeased with services mentioned better communications, i.e., 5.4% more than now mentioned this.
In North-East the number of those who were rather or very favourable toward an aluminum smelter at Bakki by Husavik increased by 11.1%, compared with the same survey conducted at the end of October/beginning of November 2006. 59.3% of the residents in the area are now favourable toward construction of the aluminum smelter. Also 81% of the residents in North Iceland-East think that if an aluminum smelter is built in Bakki, it will have a rather or very positive effect on the living conditions in North Iceland.
Three telephone and Internet surveys were involved that were carried out between September and November – a survey of people throughout Iceland, a survey of those living in Central East Iceland and a survey of those living in North Iceland-East. The goal of the surveys was to check on people's attitudes toward Alcoa, the aluminum industry in Iceland and aluminum smelter projects.
The sample for the national survey was 2386 individuals, aged 16-75, who were selected at random from the National Register for the entire country. The response rate was 65%. The sample for the survey of the residents in Central East Iceland was 1491 individuals, aged 16-and 75, selected at random from the National Register. The response rate was 62%. The sample for the survey of the residents in North-East Iceland was 2185 individuals, aged 16-and 75, selected at random from the National Register. The response rate was 65.6%.
|
|
|
