Tourism? Mining? Greenland faces big questions over its future economy

Greenland's election may be over. But the subject of independence from Denmark remains the big debate on the island, as it was in the run-up to the vote. It will be a key issue for the new government to keep under consideration, as it makes all its decisions.

In principle, most Greenlanders favor going it alone. But the question is about 'when' rather than 'if' – with many saying the island's economy needs to be a lot more robust before it can happen.

Meanwhile, continued threats by Donald Trump for a U.S. takeover have brought new energy to the debate, and new concerns over Greenland's resilience.

Business owners like Christian Elsner, who runs a shop and recording studio, want the new government to do more for local communities, as it tries to grow a fledgling tourism industry.

"Every summer there are like 700 ships coming – it's crazy," he told CGTN. "It's important that the government supports these businesses, because you can't be independent if you don't create a great economy inside Greenland. It's very important the government supports tourism and all these businesses that carry the economy in the country."

Some Greenlanders are direct in their demand for immediate independence from Denmark. But most are cautious. 

"Not now. We're not ready," said Malik, who lives in the capital Nuuk. "We don't have the population. We don't sell enough stuff. We don't make enough stuff."

Others are clear that switching Danish ownership for U.S. ownership is off the menu. 

"I am hopeful that the people want to fight for our country, and not be bought by Trump," a resident called Helena told CGTN.

There have been recent developments. Last summer a new European Office was set up, followed by a U.S. consulate. Start-up tourism companies are hoping to attract more wealthy visitors to almost untarnished locations.

Public sector questions

But some say it's not just about business and private capital. Casper is concerned that a divorce from Denmark could have a negative effect on the public sector.

"Greenland is highly reliant on support for its welfare state coming from Denmark," he said. "If you look into the healthcare sector, I think it's 40 percent coming from Denmark. If you remove the collaboration with Denmark in our hospitals, we won't have the same level of treatment."

Annual grants are paid by the Danish government to Greenland's parliament, which account for more than half of the island's total public spending, according to former Chief Statistician Birger Poppel:

"If we measure the Danish state's expenses, you have the block grants, and you have the expenses for those different areas that Denmark still has the responsibility for - it was last year roughly $740 million. So that would be 53 percent, as far as I remember, of the total public spending."

Another problem for the economy is that many young people who go to study in Denmark don't return after graduating – leaving Greenland vulnerable to a talent vacuum.

As well as tourism, the government is hoping to expand mining and mineral exploration, and make money from other natural resources like hydro energy and carbon storage.

But it will probably be a long time until those sectors bring in enough revenue to make Greenland confident and secure enough to go it alone.