Luncheon-debate with Jean-Claude Juncker, former President of the European Commission

Last Tuesday 15 November, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg held a new luncheon-debate sponsored by the Royal Bank of Canada, in which the former Prime Minister of Luxembourg and former President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, spoke on “The future of the EU in the face of tomorrow’s uncertainties”.

The presentation began with the introduction of Pablo López-Álvarez, President of the Chamber, who thanked the participants for their attendance and gave a biographical review of Juncker. Afterwards, after the intervention of Fernando Valenzuela, Chief Financial Officer of RBC, Juncker took the floor. He spoke about the different challenges that the Europe of the future will have to face, where challenges such as climate change, the war in Ukraine and the situation with Putin, inflation, Brexit, or those derived from the pandemic stand out. He also attached great importance to international trade, as well as the treaties with Canada and the Mercosur countries.

The presentation continued with a round of questions and answers, where the participants were able to ask Juncker about issues such as the political and fiscal reforms that the EU will have to face, how the EU will have to position itself in the face of the US-China trade war, or what role Spain will have in its future presidency of the EU vis-à-vis the rest of the world.

From the Chamber, we want to express our special thanks to the winery Pradorey blanco, to RBC, and to all the attendees, who made this lunch-debate a very special one.

 

Celebration of the National Day of the Spanish Embassy in Luxembourg 2022

On October 12, the Spanish Embassy in Luxembourg collaborated with the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg in the celebration of the Spanish National Day.

The event, which took place at the Cercle Cité in Luxembourg, was sponsored by Adepa, Banca March, Bankinter, Banque du Luxembourg, Besolux, CaixaBank Wealth Management, RBC, Sogelife, The OneLife Company and PwC, and was attended by local authorities, businessmen and Spanish representatives of European institutions, as well as numerous members of the Chamber.

During his first event, the Spanish Ambassador in Luxembourg, Mr.José María Rodríguez Coso, thanked during his speech the attendees for coming, as well as the sponsors of the event and the Chamber, for making all this possible.

I edition of the Social Networking Night in Luxembourg

On October 4th, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg held the first edition of the Social Networking Night in Luxembourg.

The objective of this event was to connect young Spaniards currently residing in Luxembourg with other Spanish professionals who have been settled in the country for years. In this way, those with more experience were able to share their advice and experiences with those who had just arrived in the country.

The event began with an introduction by the general secretary of the Chamber, Marta González Benguria, who thanked the participants for attending, as well as the company Select, for sponsoring the event. Subsequently, in order to increase the chances of finding employment, the Chamber presented its new SFF Learning Solutions training.

Then, Nathalie de Lira, Director of Select Luxembourg, and Michèle Pourigneaux, BELUX Sales Director, explained to the attendees how their company could help them to find a job and gave an overview of the current situation of the Luxembourg job search market.

The event continued with the participation of five Spaniards with extensive experience in the Luxembourg financial market who gave their perspective and advice to the young people. These were Paloma García Nieto Banca March Director; Rocío García-Santiuste Azcúnaga Counsel at Van Campen Liem, Vicente Garrido Mortes Director at PwC, Monica Hortelano López Director at Quintet Private Bank and Alvaro Laorden Head of Treasury & Market Services at RBC Investor Services Bank.

Finally, the event ended with a cocktail networking where newcomers to the Grand Duchy were able to talk, discuss their doubts and comment on the current situation with those who had more experience in the country.

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The October 2022 issue of SFF Magazine is already out

The sixth issue of the SFF Magazine is now available. This publication is produced by the Chamber in the framework of its Committee “Spanish Financial Forum”, focused on the financial sector.

The October 2022 edition of the SFF Magazine contains:
  • Editorial by Yuriko Backes, Minister of Finance of Luxembourg.
  • Interview with Sherry Madera, Senior Vice President Public Policy & Government Affairs at Mastercard.
  • Quarterly dossier focused on Alternative Investments.
The dossier includes several articles addressing the following alternative investment solutions:
  • Natural Capital: an opportunity for alternative asset managers and some related tax considerations”, by Deloitte Tax & Consulting.
  • Art as alternative investment”, by Artiaplace.
  • Vacant inheritances: an alternative investment in times of crisis”, by Alaluz Capital SGIIC, SA.
  • Elevated inflation and rising interest rates: what’s the solution”, by GAM investments.
  • Presentation of the structure and team of Caixabank Asset Management Luxembourg.
Articles:
  • How LaLiga’s Economic Control and Squad Cost Limit work”, by LaLiga.
  • The challenges of sustainability in the financial landscape”, by Banque de Luxembourg.
  • Opinion section dedicated to LatAm markets and the opportunities and challenges they pose for fund managers. With collaborations from Octogone Europe, CMS Luxembourg and the Colombian Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg.
  • Section with current information on activities and events organised by the Chamber related to the financial sector.

View HERE the third edition of the SFF Magazine.

You can subscribe HERE to the SFF Magazine.

The SFF Magazine is a sectoral publication targeted towards all those professionals working in the financial services industry who wish to be informed of legislative news, trends and business development opportunities between Spain and Luxembourg within this sector.

This publication is quarterly published both in Spanish and English, and it is distributed for free in digital format. The contents are provided by members of the SFF and financial stakeholders in both countries.

The Chamber of Commerce and the EUDE Business School sign an agreement to promote the SFF Learning Solutions

The Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg and the EUDE Business School have signed a collaboration agreement to promote the SFF Learning Solutions trainings among young Spanish speakers interested in the Luxembourg financial market, who want to improve their curriculum with a complementary training.

The agreement establishes a general framework of collaboration between both institutions, taking advantage of the wide range of promotion, information and advisory services offered by the Chamber and the provision of educational services by EUDE, an organization recognized by the main world rankings of educational institutions and international media, with more than twenty-five years of experience and a wide network of students and alumni.

The signing of this agreement aims to promote the three training programs that make up SFF Learning Solutions:

  • Private Equity Fundamentals (3h duration)
  • Compliance Requirements (4h duration)
  • Corporate & Governance (2h duration)

These trainings will be given by professionals of the financial sector in Luxembourg with a wide experience in their respective sectors. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact luxemburgo@e-camara.com.

Farewell to the Ambassador of Spain to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Last Friday 9th September, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg attended the lunch held at the residence of the Ambassador in the Grand Duchy, Bernardo de Sicart Escoda, in appreciation of the companies sponsoring the National Day that will be celebrated next 12th October.

Together with the President of the Chamber, Pablo López Álvarez, attended the representatives of Adepa Asset Management SABanca MarchBankinterBanque de LuxembourgBesoluxCaixaBank Wealth Management LuxembourgPwCRBC Investor & Treasury ServicesSogelife y The OneLife Company S.A..

During the lunch, the President of the Chamber also presented a gift to the Ambassador as a sign of gratitude for his contribution and support to the Spanish companies during the last four years.

18-20/10 Cybersecurity Week Luxembourg: A chance to build sustainable partnerships in the cyber ecosystem

Are you interested in upgrading your cybersecurity or developing new international partnerships in the IT sector? On 18, 19 and 20 October, the Enterprise Europe Network and the Luxembourgish Chamber of Commerce will organise an event that will provide you with this opportunity.

For the first time, the ‘Cybersecurity Week‘, a b2fair® matchmaking event that will help companies in the cyber ecosystem to explore international partnerships, find the right solutions and technologies to protect themselves from cyber-attacks, and allow SMEs to get in touch with high-level experts in IT security, is coming to the Grand Duchy for the first time. The Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg is entity partner of the fair.

“CYBERSECURITY Luxembourg will bring together public and private actors from Luxembourg, the European Union and beyond.

In the framework of the European Cybersecurity Month, attendees will be able to organise business meetings, access conferences and workshops, or receive personalised assistance before, during and after the event.

In addition, the Cybersecurity Week Luxembourg Matchmaking Event will include an exhibition area where each participant will be able to gain exposure and share their experience with peers, potential partners and customers.

¿Where? Luxembourg Congress & Exhibition Center LUXEXPO – The Box.

¿Price? Free of charge.

¿Interested? Registrations.

5th edition of the SFF Magazine: ESG, talent attraction and structuring funds in Luxembourg

The 5th edition of the SFF Magazine is now available. This publication is produced by the Chamber in the framework of its Committee “Spanish Financial Forum”, focused on the financial sector.

The SFF Magazine is a sectoral publication targeted towards all those professionals working in the financial services industry who wish to be informed of legislative news, trends and business development opportunities between Spain and Luxembourg within this sector.

This publication is quarterly published both in Spanish and English, and it is distributed for free in digital format. The contents are provided by members of the SFF and financial stakeholders in both countries.

This new issue contains:

  • Conversation with José Manuel Campa, Chairperson of the European Banking Authority (EBA).
  • An opinion section focusing on ESG: are asset managers ready for the new challenges? In collaboration with FTI Consulting, GAM Investments and Quintet Private Bank, Luxembourg.
  • Quarterly dossier dedicated to Training & Human Resources. The topic is approached from the perspective of the job opportunities offered by Luxembourg in the financial sector, and the attraction of international talent. It also includes examples of best practices and legislative developments affecting the sector.

The dossier includes the following articles:

  • Talent attraction: a change of perspective”, in collaboration with Lombard International Assurance.
  • “CSSF introduces rules on telework”, in collaboration with Simmons & Simmons Luxembourg LLP.
  • “RBC NextGen”, in collaboration with RBC IS Bank Luxembourg.
  • “Homeworking: are you ready for the end of the social and fiscal tolerances related to the health crisis?”, in collaboration with SD Worx.
  • Articles:
    • “Structuring funds in Luxembourg: when attractiveness meets efficiency”, in collaboration with the CMS Luxemburgish and Spanish Fund Platform.
  • A section with current information from SFF members and collaborators.

 

View HERE the fifth edition of the SFF Magazine.

You can subscribe HERE to the SFF Magazine.

Luncheon-debate with José Manuel Campa, Chairperson of the European Banking Authority (EBA)

On 15 June, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium Luxembourg held a new luncheon-debate at the Cercle Münster in Luxembourg, which was attended by José Manuel Campa, Chairman of the European Banking Authority (EBA). The event was entitled “The major challenges for European banking in the current environment”.

A wide range of people attended the event, including executives from Spanish banks, consultancy firms and public bodies.

The event was opened by the President of the Chamber, Pablo López-Álvarez, who took the opportunity to thank all those present for their attendance. He then highlighted Campa’s extensive career, highlighting his experience as Secretary of State for the Economy at the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Finance and at Banco Santander as Global Head of Regulatory Affairs at Banco Santander. López-Álvarez also stressed the importance of monetary policies and banking regulations.

Campa took the floor and began his speech with a brief summary of the situation in recent years, since he took over the European Banking Authority in 2019 until today, emphasising the challenges of having to move the EBA headquarters from the UK to Paris at the beginning of his mandate due to the situation created by Brexit, in order to keep it within the EU.

Origins of EBA

After the introduction, the speaker went on to talk about the origins of his institution, which date back to 2011 as a consequence of the 2008 economic crisis, and proceeded to explain his role, which, in general terms, is to build a greater Europe from the banking sector.

He went on to talk about how the banks handled the pandemic situation, explaining that it turned out better than expected and reported that bankruptcy has decreased over the years.

However, Campa also placed particular emphasis on the current problems in the supply chain, which is not functioning properly and supply is not keeping up with demand. He concluded his speech by addressing the current banking problems related to the war that is generating a series of disruptive changes in the environment.

To conclude his speech, the president of the EBA explained the two major challenges facing the banking environment, which are technological changes (Fintech) and climate change.

The presentation was followed by a question and answer session where participants were able to express their opinions and raise different issues related to the presentation.

La presentación fue seguida de una sesión de preguntas y respuestas en la que los participantes pudieron expresar sus opiniones y plantear diferentes cuestiones relacionadas con la presentación.

 

4th edition of the SFF Magazine

The fourth issue of the SFF Magazine is now available. This publication is produced by the Chamber in the framework of its Committee “Spanish Financial Forum”, focused on the financial sector.

The SFF Magazine is a sectoral publication targeted towards all those professionals working in the financial services industry who wish to be informed of legislative news, trends and business development opportunities between Spain and Luxembourg within this sector.

This publication is quarterly published both in Spanish and English, and it is distributed for free in digital format. The contents are provided by members of the SFF and financial stakeholders in both countries.
This new issue contains:

  • Editorial by Bernardo de Sicart Escoda, Ambassador of Spain to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
  • An opinion section focusing on Crypto-assets: a short-term trend or a paradigm shift? In collaboration with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and Now Partnets.
  • Quarterly dossier dedicated to Trends in Wealth Management. The topic is covered from the perspective of professionals involved in the Luxembourg wealth management industry, including contributions from CA Indosuez Wealth Management, CMS Luxembourg, Lombard International Assurance S.A. y Octogone Europe S.A. The dossier is completed by an article on “the private banker’s role in wealth transfer planning” provided by the Banque de Luxembourg.
  • Articles:
    • Investment Financial Advisors (IFAs) in Spain, in collaboration with ASEAFI.
  • A section with current information from SFF members and collaborators.

View HERE the third edition of the SFF Magazine.

You can subscribe HERE to the SFF Magazine.