‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ was the motto of the event and premiere of a world expo in an Arab country. On Wednesday morning, Luxembourg representatives took stock of their economic achievements for a first time.
Due to the pandemic, Expo 2020 had to be postponed to 2021, and even though the spread of the Omicron variant posed additional risks this winter, the Chamber of Commerce is satisfied with the success of the Luxembourgish pavilion.
Director Carlo Thelen commented: “Every mission of every business was successful. There were always many visitors despite the difficult context. We had 273 businesses and representatives participate in six missions. Our business and university partners also helped set up the programme.”
Luc Frieden, president of the Chamber of Commerce, stressed the important role of world expos in Luxembourg’s economy: “Trade helps build bridges and it is important to establish relationships with countries that we do not necessarily align with in particular. After all, we want to raise the wealth of our country and that of the world. Also, we live in a global economy, which includes the Middle East as much as it includes Asia.”
The Chamber of Commerce has already decided to participate in the next world expo, which is set to take place in Osaka, Japan, in 2025.
Frieden commented: “It is clear that due to the increased distance, it will be more difficult for businesses to make the trip to Japan. Our role is it to help them in that regard. Luxembourg already has an embassy in Japan and is also represented economically, which means that it is not a new market for us. However, the world expo will also open up more doors in the overall region.”
Frieden concluded by underlining that not only economic relations were built in the United Arab Emirates, and that this will also be the goal for the Chamber of Commerce at the world expo in Osaka.
