On 16 January, FEDIL was delighted to welcome some 850 guests to Luxexpo for its traditional New Year’s Reception. At this flagship event for the Luxembourg business community, a large number of representatives of the federation’s member companies, as well as a number of key figures from the economic, political and institutional spheres, came together for the evening to receive FEDIL’s New Year’s greetings and, above all, to listen to the messages and concerns of the industrial and entrepreneurial world in the face of the many challenges facing economic players.
The various speeches were made in front of a large audience of ministers, former ministers and members of national and European parliaments. The evening was moderated by Natasha Ehrmann.
After welcoming the guests, including Prime Minister Luc Frieden and the evening’s keynote speaker Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, FEDIL Chairman Georges Rassel set out in his speech the concerns of businesses in the face of the huge challenges of the present – geopolitical shifts and uncertainties affecting global trade relations, the responsibility of European policymakers imposing new standards and requirements, a coherent and realistic energy transition, economic growth and competitiveness of the European industry, modernization of labour laws, innovation and new technologies – all these topics that shape our future, were addressed in his message, that is reproduced in full below.
Following Georges Rassel’s engaging address, the evening was punctuated by an excellent keynote speech from Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.
President Metsola emphasized the importance of balancing necessary regulations with the need to avoid overburdening businesses. She acknowledged that while regulations are essential for ensuring fair practices and protecting the environment, excessive regulatory measures can stifle innovation and economic growth. She advocated for a pragmatic approach to the Green Industrial Deal, ensuring that environmental sustainability efforts do not lead to economic disruptions and that predictability is given.
Addressing the current geopolitical landscape, President Metsola highlighted the increasing uncertainties and tensions affecting global stability. She underscored the necessity for Europe to remain vigilant and adaptable, reinforcing defence capabilities and international cohesion among partners to navigate these challenges successfully.
President Metsola discussed the evolving global trade relations, noting the rise of tariffs, sanctions, and protectionist policies that impact the flow of goods and services. She stressed the importance of advocating for fair trade practices that encourage economic growth, particularly for economies like Luxembourg’s, which are heavily dependent on imports and exports.
Highlighting the role of innovation in economic development, President Metsola expressed optimism about Luxembourg’s potential to prosper through visionary leadership and a talented workforce. She emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among stakeholders in the research and innovation ecosystem. She also recognized the transformative power of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in driving progress and economic prosperity.
In summary, President Metsola’s address called for a balanced regulatory environment, proactive measures to ensure stability, fair trade practices, and a strong emphasis on innovation to foster economic growth and competitiveness in Europe.
The replay of President Metsola’s address is available HERE.
The official part ended with a speech by Prime Minister Luc Frieden. He stressed the importance of a strong and growing economy for a welfare state, the necessity of an open economy and fair trade, especially for a country like Luxembourg, the need of political stability in an uncertain environment, and the importance of a well-functioning and united European Union to face today’s challenges. He also expressed his desire to preserve the Luxembourg social model and to maintain a constructive dialogue with all stakeholders.
He acknowledged that we have over-regulated. Even if the aim of the various new laws is good, the path chosen is often too bureaucratic. He asked FEDIL and the companies to give him examples of legislation that weighs on their daily lives and suggestions for simplifying it.
The evening ended with a cocktail reception and a pleasant moment of networking, much appreciated by all! FEDIL would like to extend its warmest thanks to the sponsors who made a major contribution to the success of our New Year’s reception: BGL BNP Paribas – Groupe Foyer – LuxConnect – Office du Ducroire Luxembourg – Société Nationale de Crédit et d’Investissement – Landewyck – Amazon – Losch Luxembourg – LuxAirport – Luxexpo the Box – Codex – Imprimerie Centrale.
Speech by Georges Rassel at the FEDIL 2025 New Year’s Reception
