HRH the Hereditary Grand Duke and Xavier Bettel on a working visit to the United States

Press release 26.04.2024

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After a schedule in Detroit and Cleveland on 22 and 23 April, which included visits to Guardian, BorgWarner, Avery Dennison and Goodyear, HRH the Crown Prince and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, made a working visit to New York and Delaware on 24 and 25 April 2024.

The aim of this working visit to the United States was to deepen relations with the main American industrial investors in Luxembourg, given that the United States is our country's largest non-European trading partner.

In New York, HRH the Hereditary Grand Duke and Minister Bettel took part in a conference organised by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) on the development of the space economy. Several panel discussions were organised as part of the conference.

In his speech, Minister Bettel returned to the geopolitical challenges facing the world, stressing the importance of close cooperation and respect for international law, including in the world of space.

"For over 30 years, Luxembourg has been a pioneer in the use of space for commercial and cooperative purposes. One of the fundamental pillars of Luxembourg's strategy for the development of the space sector is to work towards the establishment of a level playing field at international level. Our aim is to advance with other nations by encouraging the development of collaboration between commercial players. We are convinced that all players must play their part in driving forward the 'New Space' economy for the benefit of mankind, while ensuring that sustainability in space is respected," emphasised Minister Bettel.

Interviews with executives from Redwire and AIAC (American Industrial Acquisition Corporation), owner of Eurofoil Luxembourg, were also on the agenda.

The delegation then took part in the 11th Luxembourg-American Business Award ceremony. Organised by the Luxembourg American Chamber of Commerce and the Luxembourg Trade & Investment Office in New York, the Business Award is presented every two years to American companies established in the Grand Duchy for their important role and lasting contribution to the Luxembourg economy. Previous winners include Amazon, Goodyear, Guardian, Avery Dennison Corporation, Husky Injection Molding Systems, Delphi Corp, Airtech Advanced Materials Group, Ampacet Corporation and DuPont.

For this 2024 edition, the prize was awarded to Redwire, whose European site in Luxembourg designs and develops robotic arms for orbital and free-flight missions to support and enable activities such as satellite servicing and refuelling, in-space manufacturing and debris capture.

At the award ceremony, HRH the Hereditary Grand Duke said: "Tonight, we celebrate Redwire for its remarkable achievements in the space industry and its contribution to the commercial relationship between the United States and Luxembourg. We are honouring a future-oriented American company. For the first time, the Luxembourg-American Business Award is being presented to a company whose activities extend beyond our terrestrial borders, a company that is reaching for the stars. This is not a coincidence or a development that has come out of nowhere. Luxembourg has invested heavily in the space industry, fostering an environment in which businesses can thrive. Our history has taught us not to rest on our laurels and to think outside the box, and our political leaders have always been able to anticipate the economic changes that would influence our economy."

The Luxembourg delegation, chaired by HRH the Hereditary Grand Duke and led by Minister Bettel, then travelled to Wilmington to meet the management of DuPont, an industrial company that has been operating in the Grand Duchy since 1962.

Press release by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade

• BETTEL Xavier

• Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

• Business / Trade / Industry / Craft
• Foreign affairs