Written by: Anita Lišková & Todd Shaw
Photo by: www.isifa.com

Luxembourg City is the heart of the country in cultural, political and social respects. It is not only the country’s capital but also one of the three capitals of the European Community (the other two being Strasbourg and Brussels).

Yvon Hell partner & CEO, Société de Gestion Fiduciaire Favorite hotel: Hôtel Albert Premier, 2a, rue Albert 1er L-1117 Luxembourg tel.: +352 442 4421, www.albert1er.lu A very nice and quiet place with an English-Italian atmosphere. Favorite restaurant: Caves Gourmandes, 32, rue de l’Eau L-1449 Luxembourg Tel.: +352 46 11 24, www.caves-gourmandes.lu In the old town – a romantic place with a very good quality/price ratio Favorite night club: Blow Up, 14, rue de la Faiencerie L-1510 Luxembourg Favorite attractions: Art Café, 1a, rue Beaumont L-1219 Luxembourg, tel.: +352 26 270 652 To enjoy an “artistic break” and meet actors from the Théatre des Capucins. Favorite shop: Smets A-Way-Of-Life, 262, route d’Arlon L-8010 Strassen Best-kept secret: Of course, the banking secrecy… Advice: Have fun finding numerous references to the Czech Republic in Luxembourg!

Jan Lukáš sales director, ActivaFavorite hotel: Novotel Luxembourg, 6, rue du fort Niedergruenewld, Plateau De Kirchberg, tel.: +352 429 8481 www.novotel.com Favorite restaurant: Pavillon du Parc Belair, 28, rue de Bragance, tel.: +352 445 587 Favorite attractions: Pedestrian zones and cafés in the area of Place d’Armes. Advice: It is definitely worth it to leave the capital and see the surrounding neighborhoods.

Jean-Francois Ott president & CEO, ORCO GroupFavorite hotel: Hotel Le Royal, 12, boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg tel.: +352 241 6161, www.hotelroyal.lu – its location is the best Favorite restaurant: La Lorraine, place d’Armes 7, tel.: +352 471 436 – great fish Favorite night club: Sofitel, plateau de Kirchberg, 6, rue du Forttel.: +352 437 761, www.sofitel.com – the cigar lounge Favorite attractions: The City Museum of Luxembourg and the American cemetery where my uncle and Patton are buried. Best-kept secret: The countryside (I think they call it “Little Switzerland”) in the spring, and the spa town next to Luxembourg City. Advice: Take the time to stay for more than one day.

 

 

Basic factsFull country name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (Luxemburg, Letzeburg) Dialing code: 352 Area: 2,586 km2 Population: 454,000 Capital city: Luxembourg People: 70% nationals (Celtic stock, with French and German), 30% resident foreigners (mostly Belgian, French, German, Italian and Portuguese) Language: English, Luxembourgish; Letzeburgesch, French, German Religion: 97% Roman Catholic Time zone: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the last Saturday in October). Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are used. Useful figures GDP: USD 21.94 billion GDP per capita: USD 48,900 Annual growth: 3% Inflation: 1.5% Major Industries: banking, insurance, agriculture, iron and steel, plastic and rubber, chemicals, mechanical and electrical equipment, tourism Major Trading Partners: EU (esp. Belgium, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands) Member of EU: Yes Visas: citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and virtually all of Western Europe, require only a passport to enter Luxembourg for stays of up to three months. 1 euro (EUR 1) = CAD 1.59; CZK 30.22; GBP 0.69; USD 1.29 Currency conversion rates as of press time.

Where on the web?
For further information, we suggest the following websites dedicated to Luxembourg:
www.trade.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/luxembourg/profile/index – UK Trade & Investment site dealing with Luxembourg
www.ont.lu – Office National du Tourisme (ONT) (National Tourist Office)
www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Luxembourg/ – good basic tour and sight-seeing info
www.fodors.com/miniguides/ – a well laid-out overview for the casual visitor
www.europe-today.com/lux/sightseeing.html – a highly visual sight focused on sight-seeing
www.europe-today.com/lux/sightseeing.html – a fine site for booking hotels, and for getting inside info from travelers via the online forum.

BUSINESS PROFILE

· Luxembourg is one of the most prosperous countries in Western Europe. Two very different industries – banking and steel – have historically been the mainstays of the economy. The historically dominant steel industry has taken a back seat to other industries, notably chemicals, rubber, plastics, metal products and light manufacturing (textiles, paper, electronic equipment).

· The banking and finance sector is also in a healthy condition: companies originally attracted to Luxembourg by favorable banking secrecy laws and low taxation have prospered despite the gradual harmonization of taxes and tariffs across the EU.

· The economy has long been linked with that of Belgium, initially through the 1921 economic union, supplemented by a further treaty in 1958 and latterly, by mutual membership of the EU. Luxembourg was an inaugural member of the Euro at the beginning of 1999. Belgium is the largest single trading partner, followed by The Netherlands and France.

· Commercial contacts: Belgium/Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Riverside House, 27/29 Vauxhall Grove, London SW8 1SY, tel: +44 (0) 870 246 1610; fax: +44 (0) 870 429 2148; e-mail: info@blcc.co.uk; or Chamber of Commerce, 7 Rue Alcide de Gasperi, Luxembourg-Kirchberg, tel: +352 423 939-1; fax: +352 438 326; e-mail: chamcom@cc.lu.

· Conferences/Conventions: Its location at the heart of the EU ensures the country’s status as a popular destination for conferences and conventions. Further information: Luxembourg-Congres, Hémicycle Européen, 1 rue de Fort Thüngen, L-1499 Luxembourg-Ville, tel: +352 4302 57753; fax: +352 4302 57575; e-mail: info@luxcongress.lu.