On Thursday evening, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel talked about transforming Luxembourg into a Smart Nation and said that Luxembourg has many smart minds; he referred to the April report of the World Economic Forum which ranked Luxembourg 5th, for which he expressed his delight.
ICT will open a myriad of opportunities to companies and others sectors. Research, education and public service are crucial to progress and he addressed that being made regarding data protection reform which he wants to push during Luxembourg's Presidency of the EU. He also talked about needing better communication about cyber security at an EU level.
Being more productive in the ICT sector means that Luxembourg needs to be more open to attracting expertise from the US and elsewhere. Re-training of people with other existing skills will be important too. The Luxembourg EU Presidency will promote a Digital by Default approach.
He also talked about the Internet of Things, describing cars nowadays as computers on wheels. Luxembourg is well-placed to take the lead in data protection and big data, with cyber security a hugely important area. Digital Luxembourg is a new way of doing things, and is not limited to public bodies. Luxembourg will further invest in its already extensive ICT infrastructure.
PM Bettel also referred to the 1-1-1 company, an initiative in which AMCHAM pushed and which supports entrepreneurship and removes a level of bureaucracy. New forms of financing are being explored with a seed capital fund of €15m being set up to support and encourage entrepreneurship. He referred to FinTech and stated he will go to New York next week to explore further the issue of virtual currencies by meeting the leaders of companies already active in that area to examine the skills needed for Luxembourg to take a lead; the goal is to make Luxembourg the Global FinTech champion.
In response to a question from the floor, PM Bettel stressed that Luxembourg needs evolution, not revolution, in becoming a Smart Nation, and referred to the recent referenda as trying to implement change too quickly. Regarding the marketing of such, The Luxembourg Chronicle asked about the link between Smart Nation and Nation Branding; he explained that the two are inter-linked and acknowledged that Luxembourg needs to tell more people outside about the benefits of the Grand Duchy. He also emphasised the accessibility of decision-makers here as a major plus for the country.
On the issue of TTIP, PM Betttel acknowledged that some northern European countries are in favour of it while others, including Germany and Belgium, are against. Regarding Luxembourg's position, he said that we should not rush into signing something and wants to promote dialogue, involving everyone from social partners to the European Commission, to understand all the relevant issues.
Prime Minister and Minister of Telecommunication and Media, Xavier Bettel was talking at the AMCHAM evening event on the topic of Luxembourg, a Smart Nation, on Thursday evening at the Hotel Légère in Munsbach.
Paul Schonenberg, AMCHAM Chairman, welcomed PM Bettel and outlined the membership of the chamber which he described as a melting-pot of skills, expertise and sectors. He thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership and for trying to implement change.
Gyorgy Gattyan, the owner of Docler Holding, sponsor of the event, told the story of moving the company 2 years ago from Hungary to Luxembourg and hiring 150 staff, mainly IT developers. He praised the start-up mentality in Luxembourg and acknowledged the support received from many quarters.
Photos by Geoff Thompson (above, L-R): PM Xavier Bettel; Paul Schonenberg, AMCHAM; Gyorgy Gattyan of Docler Holding
