Paul Schonenberg | ©AmCham
Dear AmCham Members, Partners and friends,
Last week the Luxembourg international business community roared back to life after the Summer break which gave me a lot of excellent networking events to attend:
On Monday Arendt & Medernach hosted an excellent Welcome Back Members Cocktail for China Lux.
Tuesday Elvinger Hoss put on their annual Fintec Conference at Spuerkeess and later that day the Chinese Embassy celebrated the 76th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at the Bank of China.
Thursday saw a trifecta of events with a superb Aztec reception at the British Embassy, followed by the 15th anniversary of Baker McKenzie at Abbaye de Neumunster (with the presence of our Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel), followed by a magnificent SES party at Mudam (also with the presence of Xavier Bettel).
Friday saw a walking lunch with guest of honor, our Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce for the private business chambers of commerce and an amazing golf tournament and dinner organized and hosted by BDO at the Golf de Luxembourg-Belenhaff in Junglinster.
All of these events were networking events with major participation and focus on celebrating, connecting and honoring the international business community here in Luxembourg itself or on celebrating Luxembourg as the most important international business location in Europe. Every single one of these events (except the Chamber of Commerce walking lunch) was hosted by and paid for by an AmCham member company!
While I take no ownership of these activities, I do take pride in recognizing all of these great companies are strong and active AmCham members who share common values with our entire community! I likewise note, with appreciation, the currently increased pro-business focus of the Luxembourg government.
We have come a long way over the past few years with the business community being increasingly appreciated. While there are still improvements to make and things which need to be done, I am confident in the leadership of the current government and believe you all should be too.
To look back and see where we have been and where we still need to go is the focus of this AmCham Newsletter issue. As always, I welcome your comments, feedback and advice (write to me at Paul@AmCham.lu).
To further explore this topic, please pay attention to the YouTube video of two years ago which we are posting in this issue to show what the authors of that video presented with a tough critique explaining why they thought Luxembourg was facing decline. Then look at the letter which I posted to the government in April of this year which presents our AmCham proposed agenda for further business progress.
You will note in all of this that the serious decline projected by the video authors two years ago, has not taken place and progress is being made with even more projected to come.
The current Government of Luxembourg led by Prime Minister Frieden, Deputy Prime Minister Bettel, Finance Minister Roth, Interior Minister Gloden and Defense/Transportation and Egality Minister Backes are doing what needs to be done every day and in every way. They deserve our support, continued engagement and active involvement to continue to make Luxembourg even better, stronger and more worthy…. always remember, the government does not make money or drive prosperity. It is always the energy and hard work of working people and companies which generate the tax revenue which the government then redistributes…
My respect and very best wishes,
Paul Schonenberg
Chairman and CEO
AmCham.lu