What digital strategy for Luxembourg? What economic model for Europe? Those questions are at the heart of political and business life for Luxembourg and its European partners and they will be the focus of the 2015 edition of the Economy Days.

The event is organised by the Luxembourg Ministry of Economy, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and Fedil - Business Federation Luxembourg, in cooperation with PwC Luxembourg. It will be held on Tuesday, 24 February 2015 (afternoon) and on Wednesday, 25 February 2015 (morning) on the premises of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

What digital strategy for Luxembourg ?
The afternoon of 24 February will focus on Luxembourg’s digital strategy. For several years, the Luxembourg government has invested heavily in the digital economy and those investments are now starting to pay off. Next to e-commerce and telecommunication heavyweights, a growing number of SME specialised in Fintech, Big Data, data security are booming. International experts and Luxembourg players will perform a critical assessment of the role the Luxembourg government can play and they will take a critical look at the recently implemented Digital Lëtzebuerg initiative. They will also discuss the challenges posed by the digital economy and try to identify the most promising development areas.

After an opening address by Carlo Thelen, Director General of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Francine Closener, Secretary of State of the Economy, will present the actions put in place by the government to strengthen the country’s ICT position.

Dominique Roux, director of the digital economy chair at Paris-Dauphine, will outline the role information technologies can play in technological and sociological change and highlight how important they are to a small, open economy such as luxembourg’s. Based on his extensive experience as advisor to the French government, he will then give his take on the strategic priorities to be adopted by Luxembourg.

Laurent Probst, the PwC Luxembourg partner in charge of PwC’s Accelerator, will briefly talk about emerging trends in terms of ICT-related innovative services before moderating a panel discussion which will bring together political decision-makers, experts and IT and telecom business leaders, from both Luxembourg and abroad. The panellists will discuss the government’s strategy – Digital Lëtzebuerg in particular – and share their experience. They will also take a more in-depth look at specific topics including Fintech, Big Data, data security, the challenges posed by e-skills and funding.

What economic model for Europe ?
On the morning of 25 February, speakers will examine European issues. What challenges does the European Commission need to tackle in order to reach sustainable growth ? What lessons can Luxembourg draw from its main trading partners, i.e. France and Germany ?

After an introduction by Didier Mouget, PwC Luxembourg’s Managing Partner, Guntram Wolff, Director of the Bruegel Institute, will provide a critical, independent assessment of the short-term outlook for the European Union and of the EU’s policies and structural challenges. Olaf Gersemann, Senior Economics and Business Editor at Die Welt (German daily newspaper) and Lionel Fontagné, a professor at the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, will analyse the German and French model, respectively. Mr Gersemann will take a more critical view of Germany’s position as a role model and Mr Fontagné will analyse whether France can find its way back to economic growth.

Serge Allegrezza, Director of the Statec and of the Observatoire de la compétitivité, will moderate a roundtable discussion between economists, international journalists and business leaders from Luxembourg with operations in France and Germany. The panellists will attempt to find out whether there is such a thing as an optimal economic model. How to reconcile economic performance with social justice? What lessons can Luxembourg draw from the diverging experiences of its two main neighbours?

To follow the presentations, to respond and take part in the talks, join us on Twitter @JEcolux and use the hashtag #Jelux. The speeches will be translated into French and English.

Sign up!
You can sign up for the event and look at the detailed agenda on www.economydays.lu. Admission is €100 and all proceeds will be donated to Jonk Entrepreneuren.