International co-operation is extensive in Matís' operations. The company has, despite its young age, established a connection and reputation abroad. Matís has purposefully and consciously increased its emphasis on foreign projects, as they strengthen operations in this country, strengthen Icelandic scientific work in general, strengthen the economy and ultimately benefit the general Icelander in the form of more and more diverse employment opportunities and opportunities for the country.
Icelanders pay a considerable amount to joint research funds in Europe, and with foreign scientific collaboration, that funding can in fact be recovered, with a good return if done well. The basis for this is a strong core of scientists and it is present in Matís. We are increasingly finding that we are being looked at by foreign parties, as the results of our foreign co-operation projects have been good. We have many desirable things to offer and we can strengthen Iceland's position with the knowledge we acquire through this co-operation. Through international projects, we gain access to facilities we would not otherwise have and a connection to expertise in specific areas.
Seventh European Research Program (FP7)
It is difficult to discuss partners and project collaboration without mentioning Matís' role in European research programs. During the year, Matís participated in 22 projects of the 7th research program. Few companies of the size of Matís in Iceland or abroad can boast of such.
In addition to participating in these projects, the company is the supervisor and leads six of these 22 projects. Such supervision of projects, let alone in this number of projects, is only given to companies that are highly valued at the international level and meet all the requirements that powerful research companies must meet, in terms of staff skills and knowledge, facilities and equipment for research and not least in terms of responsible operation. The total value for Matís in 2013 in projects related to the research plans is around and over ISK 300 million. It is clear that such funds strengthen the position of Icelandic research and scientific work to a great extent.
Here is a list of projects in which Matís is involved and related to the 7th European Research Program. Tasks marked with an asterisk are projects where Matís is in charge of the project:
With increased international scientific collaboration, it can be said that a leaf is broken. Icelanders have known about the export of goods for centuries, and it is worth mentioning the fishing industry. This includes both the export of raw materials and also more processed products. In our scientific work, it can be said that we are moving from the export of raw materials to the utilization of Icelandic knowledge of food production, the nation's basic industry through the centuries. Because we turn "knowledge raw materials" into an even more valuable product that we can both use in further efforts abroad and also here at home, for development in food production. In addition to us at Matís, other domestic researchers, institutions, universities and companies benefit from this.
Matís' structure and the company's priorities enable us to advance abroad. We have expertise in many aspects of the fisheries sector and we can also mention unique conditions for biotechnology research in this country due to, for example, the thermal areas, glaciers and nature both on land and in the sea. Many industries could therefore benefit from the foreign work that Matís has started, but not least the opportunities are clearest in the fisheries sector. New emphases in this field include market-related projects and emphases related to environmental issues and environmental impact. We Icelanders certainly have the opportunity to create an even stronger position in the world's product markets with our fish products. Matís International Work will help in that work in the coming years.
A similar story is being told about Icelandic agriculture. This field will open up opportunities in the near future abroad, not least with increased scientific and research work. Matís also looks at their possibilities.
Our scientists perceive that abroad we have a reputation to build on. Not just because we are Icelanders but because we can, know and know.