“Innovation, a driving force for companies: shared perspectives Canada – Luxembourg”

International Affairs

On 27 June, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce together with CanCham BeLux and in close collaboration with the Canadian Embassy to Belgium and Luxembourg organised a seminar on “Innovation, a driving force for companies: shared perspectives Canada – Luxembourg”.

The event aimed to identify partnership opportunities targeting the Canadian market through exchanges between companies and representatives of the R&D and innovation sector. Furthermore, this seminar targeted to present R&D and innovation activities as well as exchange of know-how, not only as a dynamic vector of relationship between Canada and Luxembourg, but also as an important driving force for the competitiveness and development of companies in their respective markets.

By defining research and innovation as one of the key elements for their national economic diversification, Canada and Luxembourg have a lot in common in terms of their approach towards economic growth and development: Both countries consider that research, the adoption of an open mindset in business, an innovative culture, the constant search for new market opportunities as well as anticipation of change through the development of new skills are becoming more and more critical to the comparative advantages of their country and their companies. However, as pointed out by the various speakers, innovation per se can rarely exist on its own. It only makes sense if placed in a functioning eco-system. Thus the importance of bringing research and industry together, through facilitating research and development partnerships.

The event included a presentation by Prof. Dr. Stéphane Pallage, Rector of the University of Luxembourg, on the common strengths and research focuses of Luxembourg and Canada, as well as the different cooperation activities between the University of Luxembourg and Canada. Prof. Dr. Pallage was introduced by H.E.Mr. Olivier Nicoloff, Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. His presentation was followed by some insights highlighted by Mr. Ian Cresswell, Head of International Affairs, Luxinnovation, on the Luxembourg innovation system and the supports available in order to stimulate innovation as a driver for economic development.

These presentations were followed by two company testimonials, namely LuxAI and iComply Investor Services Inc. who shared their experience on the role that research and innovation has played in the business development of their respective companies. Based in Vancouver and in Luxembourg, iComply Investor Services Inc. concluded its presentation by providing some dos and don’ts based on their experience on doing business with Canada.

The event ended with a lively Q&A session and a networking reception during which all participants had the opportunity to discuss their issues with the experts.

For further information, please find hereafter the presentations of this seminar.