The Trade Mission in pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBMjgK
After more than 17 years of fostering bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Romania, we are proud to have successfully concluded the first official Trade Mission to Romania. Held from 30 September to 3 October 2024 in Bucharest, this event was the result of a strong collaboration between the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Romania-Luxemburg Business Forum asbl (ROMLUX), the Romanian Embassy in Luxembourg, and the Embassy of Luxembourg in Romania.
The programme of the mission and the B2B meetings focused on Space, Cybersecurity, IT/Data Management, Fintech, Logistics and Industry. The Luxembourg delegation was composed of 42 participants, including representatives from 22 companies and 12 institutions/organisations.
That action-packed 3-day agenda started with addresses by the presidents of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania, and of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, HE Elisabeth Cardoso, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Romania, and HE Livia Rusu, Ambassador of Romania to Luxembourg, who all highlighted the excellent economic and political exchanges and the strong friendship uniting one of the EU’s founding members with one of its youngest.
Key highlights included the re-signing of the MoU between the presidents of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and the Romania CCIR and between Luxinnovation GIE and the West Regional Innovation Agency, Timisoara. Marius Cara (Head of EIB Group Office in Romania), Marius Ghenea (Managing Partner in Catalyst Romania VC Fund) introduced the audience to the key elements of setting investments and growth in Romania while Cindy Tereba (Director of International Affairs at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce) shared the view of Luxembourg as a business gateway to Europe. These keynotes were followed by two panel discussions organized by ROMLUX on topics such as innovation, fintech, AI, space and earth observation. The panels were moderated by Alex Panican, Deputy CEO of The LHoFT – Luxembourg House of Financial Technology, respectively Mathias Link, Deputy CEO of the Luxembourg Space Agency.
The day went on with a networking lunch followed by tailored B2B meetings with over 120 guests from both Luxembourg and Romania attended, engaging in discussions about business opportunities and fostering meaningful connections. The first day of the trade mission concluded with an official reception hosted by HE Elisabeth Cardoso, Luxembourg Ambassador to Bucharest.
The second day featured sector-specific programs in IT/ICT, logistics, cybersecurity, and space. IT and fintech participants attended the How To Web Conference, while the logistics group toured a multimodal terminal in Ploiesti. The space group visited ATD Aerospace and SES, and the cybersecurity group engaged with the DNSC and toured Bitdefender HQ.
The day concluded with a networking event hosted by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and Romania Luxemburg Business Forum (ROMLUX). Set in the unique ambiance of one of our distinguished member, the WIN Art Gallery, participants enjoyed Romanian wine while reflecting on the day’s experiences and making new compelling contacts with local entrepreneurs.
The final day featured visits to the H. Essers Logistics Centre and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), where guests learned about its mission, objectives, and Digital Europe Programme funds. This was followed by a tour of INCAS (National Institute for Aerospace Research), where participants explored cutting-edge aerospace activities and technologies, including the Trisonic Wind Tunnel, Flight Simulation Laboratories, and Experimental Aerospace Technologies. These visits marked a fitting conclusion to the successful trade mission to Romania.
We thank all our partners and participants for their enthusiasm and curiosity in exploring the programs organized for this trade mission, in particular our friends from Luxinnovation GIE, Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity, European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), The LHoFT – Luxembourg House of Financial Technology, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg Space Agency, INCAS, the National Cybersecurity Competence Center – Luxembourg (NC3), the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC), the Romanian Space Initiative (ROSPIN), and the Romanian Fintech Association.
The participants to this first trade mission to Romania included 31 organizations (9 public institutions and 22 companies registered in Luxembourg). They represent prominent players in strategic industries as well as small and medium-sized entrepreneurs based in Luxembourg who already have a presence in Romania, or seized this opportunity to explore new possibilities. Notable participants included CFL multimodal, Data Design Engineering, Deep Telecom (by Post Telecom), EmailTree.ai, GeoMint, Gcore, Green Movers, iBO Solutions S.A., IECORP SA, IEE Sensing, ispace-EUROPE, ITS Logistics, ITSS, LuxProvide, Meaningfy, MTX Connect, OHB SE, RMT Labs S.A., RSS-Hydro, SES Satellites, Luxinnovation, Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes and the list could go on.
We hope this mission marks the start of an exciting journey into bilateral business opportunities, where ROMLUX is eager to be a long-term partner, bridging and supporting these collaborative efforts.
About Romania Luxemburg Business Forum Asbl (“ROMLUX”) :
- ROMLUX is a Luxembourg-based nonprofit organisation aimed to support the development of the economic relationships between actors from Romania and Luxembourg.
- In 2021, ROMLUX achieved accreditation as a bilateral chamber of commerce, positioning itself as a key facilitator for fostering collaboration and spearheading innovation between Romania and Luxembourg.
- Join us as a member or contact us if you wish to learn more.
If you wish to explore Romania or Luxembourg as a business market, Join us as a full Romlux member. To join, simply visit our website and fill out the registration form.
If you have any questions about membership or upcoming events, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
