On 29 November 2016, the Luxembourg Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, and the Secretary of State for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, Camille Gira, have announced the creation of an innovative cluster dedicated to the industry of the protection and transformation of wood in Luxembourg.
The new “wood cluster” will act as an exchange platform between all players in the sector of the protection and transformation of wood in the Grand Duchy. It forms part of plans to improve the appreciation of this sustainable material at a local and regional level.
Woodlands and forests cover over 90,000 hectares, or 35%, of national territory. Moreover, almost 1,500 businesses in Luxembourg have direct or indirect activities related to wood. These companies employ 11,000 people, more than half of which work in the construction sector.
Francine Closener and Camille Gira have emphasised the necessity of supporting the responsible use of this natural and sustainable resource that is wood and valuing the know-how of the main players in Luxembourg and the Greater Region in order to develop the local economy.
The new wood cluster, which is managed and led by Luxinnovation, will come into force in 2017. According to the CEO of Luxinnovation, which is the national agency for the promotion of innovation and research, this cluster aims to “deepen links between the concerned players […] and assure the continuity and competitivity of the affiliated businesses.”
Photo by Luxinnovation of Francine Closener, Secretary of State for the Economy
