Connexion Q1 2018

Q1 2018 Karine Dominguez(SwarovskibyABSLuxe),MalekAouini-Lahmadi (AMCHAM Luxembourg) Paul Schonenberg(AMCHAMLuxembourg),DeputyPrimeMinisterandoftheEconomyÉtienneSchneider, AMCHAM STRENGTH ANDPROSPERITY AT AMERICANTHANKSGIVING 2017 AWARD PRESENTATION DOING BUSINESS INLUXEMBOURG

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GSK_AZ_210x297_3mm_4c_Haute_Definition.indd 1 11.09.17 15:53 CONTENT

CONTENT

NEW MEMBERS...... 4

A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN Chairman’s Remarks...... 5

SPECIAL FEATURE Industry Proposal for a Simplified, Accelerated, Fast Track, Provisional Work Permit Approval Mechanism for IT Employees ...... 6

INFORMATION TOOLBOX What has the U .S . Tax Reform in Store for European Companies? . . . . . 9

AMCHAM COMMITTEES Gregory Tugendhat - RegiÔtels, a 1-1-1 Trailblazer ...... 10 Working from Home : A Legal Update. . . 12 a Making Diversity Work in Business and Government: What to Do and How to Do It...... 16 AMCHAM / STEP Joint November Gilles Vanderweyen (PwC Luxembourg), Bjorn Ottertsen (SnT), Lucien Reuter (LIDIT), Luncheon Event - Financial Intelligence Marina Andrieu (Women in Tech - WIDE), Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg), (FININT) Data: Protecting Your Company Marton Fulop (Docler Holding), Jean Diederich (APSI), Pascal Steichen from Fraud and Complying with the New (SECURITYMADEIN.LU) 6 Legal Reporting Requirements ...... 21

LANGUAGE LEARNING Supporting Integration Through Multilingualism...... 18

a COMMUNITY NEWS

a Bazar International de Luxembourg 2017...... 8 AMCHAM 2017 - Thanksgiving Dinner. 22 Minister Corinne Cahen Town Hall Meeting with Key (Ministry of Family Affairs, Inte- Luxembourg Politicians...... 20 gration and the Greater Region) 16 Annual Christmas Lunch with Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna. . . 32 Upcoming AMCHAM events...... 34

EXPAT PROFILE SNAPSHOTS 28 Find out about Hakan Sekulu 28 Hakan Sekulu - Integration is Key ...... our upcoming events Michael Mandic - Follow Your Dream . . . 30

Q1 2018 NEW MEMBERS

NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE NEW MEMBERS SMALL BUSINESS

ABACUS CONSULTING & SOLUTIONS S.A. Pascal Bauler AKD Project Manager Ayzo van Eysinga 24 Val Saint André - L-1128 Luxembourg Tax Lawyer and Partner T +352 26 38 99 75 40 avenue Monterey F +352 26 97 67 11 E L-2163 Luxembourg pascal .bauler@abac .lu www.abac.lu T +352 26 75 82 315 E AvanEysinga@akd .lu NEW MEMBERS ENTREPRENEURIAL MICRO-COMPANY www.akd.lu EASYTECH SÀRL

With over 250 lawyers, civil-law notaries and tax advisers, Damien Schreurs AKD provides independent and internationally-focused Explainer-in-chief legal and tax advice to clients in the Benelux . AKD 5 um Kallek - L-5369 Schuttrange combines expertise in a wide range of legal practice T +352 27 86 04 78 areas with sector knowledge and understanding E damien@easytech .lu of its clients’ business, both nationally and internationally . www.easytech.lu Outside the Benelux, AKD partners with an extensive network of highly reputable law firms to form fully integrated, experienced and multidisciplinary teams . DESIGN RESEARCH With this collaborative approach, AKD can CONSULTING SARL comprehensively assist its clients in doing business Tom Hynek around the globe . AKD has offices in the Netherlands, Founder and Managing Director Belgium and Luxembourg . 11a Blaigaass, Greiveldange - L-5426, Luxembourg For more information, please visit www akd. .lu T +352 621 359 877 E tom@designresearch .consulting www.designresearch.lu

FREE NEWCOMERS’ ORIENTATION COURSES

The American Chamber of Commerce in a temporary or long-term residence permit) tion, health scheme, child allowance, culture, Luxembourg, under the auspices of and for less than 18 months . etiquette and customs, leisure and entertain- with the funding support of the “Asylum, ment, shopping, expat organizations, sports, Migration and Integration Fund” (AMIF) and Sign up information can be found on the music, cycling, recycling, integration . the Luxembourg Reception and Integration AMCHAM website in the Events section: Agency/Ministry of Family and Integration http://www.amcham.lu/events/ The courses take place at the Chamber of (OLAI), organizes free of charge 6 hours Commerce of Luxembourg and we thank long Newcomers’ Orientation Courses . Topics covered on the course: Bureaucracy, them for their partnership . We also thank ING your local commune, working life, day to day for sponsoring the lunches . Due to the funding specifics, these course living, tax card, renting, utilities, phone and offerings in English and Portuguese are internet, TV, radio and the press, history, geo- If you know of someone who is eligible and targeted for attendance by non-EU citizens, graphy, politics, insurance, vehicles, driving interested in attending, please refer them to legally residing in Luxembourg (holders of and transportation, education, music tui- the AMCHAM website for registration .

Q1 2018 A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS

Paul-Michael SCHONENBERG

Dear AMCHAM Members and Friends, companies who call Luxembourg their Concerning AMCHAM itself, we are doing European home and the highly qualified/ well, continue to grow in numbers and Welcome to the winter 2018 issue of exceptionally hard working foreigners committees and continue to make the the AMCHAM Luxembourg magazine who have come here with their families best contributions possible to survive and Connexion! to contribute and make this country their prosper. We are proud to be the biggest and second home. most active private Chamber of Commerce In this issue you will see photos of our in Luxembourg and we work hard to annual Thanksgiving dinner and our annual We also had the occasion at our Christmas maintain that status. Christmas lunch, each of which was attended lunch to honor and express our appreciation by over 200 guests. At Thanksgiving, to Pierre Gramegna for his leadership, his Please always remember, we are a member sponsored jointly by the POST and openness to listen and his smart policies focused organization, here to serve you and Openfield, we gave away fabulous tombola at our Ministry of Finance. We live in your needs. prizes, ate and networked well, danced the challenging times and absolutely appreciate night away and honored our Deputy Prime him for who he is and what he does. All best wishes for a Happy New Year filled Minister, Minister of the Economy, Minister with success, and good health…for yourself of Internal Security and Minister of Defense, Please see the photos for both events and all those you love. Étienne Schneider, by awarding him the inside this issue. 2017 AMCHAM Economic Strength and With respect and my very best regards, Prosperity Award. Our goal was to honor Our current big project is related to radically him for all he, and his staff at the Ministry of improving the work permit approval Economy, have done to keep Luxembourg process to make it faster, easier and more strong! After all, the success of Luxembourg transparent to hire the Tech candidates we is not something to take for granted. It is so urgently need. Please see the article on the result of a unique partnership between this proposal inside this issue. the smart, business friendly government of Paul-Michael Schonenberg Luxembourg, the welcoming and friendly Chairman and CEO people of Luxembourg, the international 5

Q1 2018 SPECIAL FEATURE

INDUSTRY PROPOSAL FOR A SIMPLIFIED, ACCELERATED, FAST TRACK, PROVISIONAL WORK PERMIT APPROVAL MECHANISM FOR IT EMPLOYEES

Nom

Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg)

being expended are simply not producing enough qualified IT candidates to fix the current talent shortage as they do not pro- duce sufficient numbers of candidates that are needed for the existing users, the start- ups we hope will find home in Luxembourg, and the new companies we hope to attract Gilles Vanderweyen (PwC Luxembourg), Bjorn Ottertsen (SnT), Lucien Reuter (LIDIT), Marina Andrieu (Women in Tech - WIDE), Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg), to Luxembourg to keep Luxembourg strong Marton Fulop (Docler Holding), Jean Diederich (APSI), Pascal Steichen and prosperous. (SECURITYMADEIN.LU) The current reality is likewise very dangerous One of the major goals of Luxembourg has place, and is likewise essential to ensure our for Luxembourg. Because of the insufficiency been to establish itself as a center of digi- economy and companies are able to deal with of appropriately skilled IT personnel, work that tal excellence for academia and business the rapidly expanding need for appropriately could (and should) be done in Luxembourg, in multiple sectors. In this regard there has qualified IT employees across all sectors of thereby generating employment and tax in- been substantial investment in data center the economy including both the present eco- come, is forced to be done elsewhere at oth- development, fiber optic networks and other nomic activities and anticipated future activ- er corporate locations or through IT outsourc- infrastructure to insure Luxembourg is one ities including those generated by academia, ing. This has a serious present and future of the best global locations. But being suc- the financial industry, in biomedical activities, adverse impact on the economic strength of cessful in the digital sphere also requires that in Space Mining, micro companies, Entrepre- the nation. Clearly an ever increasing involve- we have the right human capital in sufficient neurs and a wide range of other pursuits. ment of IT in all aspects of business and life quality and quantity to do the work. This was activities is ongoing. It is therefore essential the theme for our annual Fall 2017 joint AM- For some time, Luxembourg has suffered that the level of IT literacy and the sufficiency CHAM / APSI conference event hosted by from a lack of sufficiently numerous and qual- of skilled IT practitioners must be quickly in- PWC. ified candidates for the broad range of IT jobs creased to ensure we remain masters of our available in our economy. Many efforts have own destiny. Most especially, from a security As a result of this conference, there was and are being made to address this shortage: standpoint, we are concerned over the risk of broad agreement that in addition to the cur- increased motivational efforts to encourage losing control of software code development rent activities promoting IT careers among people to pursue IT careers, education and as this is becoming a more and more com- women and young people, the skilling / training programs in the Public and Private petitive advantage of a nation, particularly re-skilling activities for older workers and schools; the IT Security Masters programs with regards to managing the source codes other initiatives, these activities will not pro- at the University along with the newly intro- to ensure software code confidentiality and duce sufficient candidates to fill the ongoing duced undergraduate University program for prevent the dangerous leak and spread of recruitment requirements for skilled IT pro- IT; Life-long learning initiatives via the House code all over the web putting our industries at fessionals. Therefore there is an urgent and of Training of the Luxembourg Chamber of risk from a business perspective. Managing compelling need to establish a simplified, Commerce and other public/private initia- the software development lifecycles means accelerated, fast track, provisional work tives; the excellent initiatives to encourage understanding and controlling how it’s build, permit approval mechanism for IT em- Women in Tech; the excellent work done by how to crack it, how to prevent unauthorized ployees. ADEM and the Ministry of Labor. people from cracking it and insuring our IT systems are protected from a cyber security We believe this measure is immediately and While we all fully support all of these initia- point of view. And this requires sufficiency of critically needed to ensure the continued suc- tives both now and in the future, these ef- properly qualified IT personnel resident and cess of the DIGITAL revolution currently taking forts, despite all of the energy and hard work working in Luxembourg.

Q1 2018 SPECIAL FEATURE

The objective reality is that, while we fully mechanism for IT employees, as men- need now and in the future, give time for the support all of the on-going efforts via educa- tioned in the first paragraph of this letter, current education and training initiatives to be tion and training to address these challenges, based on the following principles: successful and create a virtual circle ensur- we remain far behind and unable to catch up ing Luxembourg remains a key global player with the present and foreseen future demand 1. Companies and entities (including aca- in Fintech and other IT heavy activities both because we do not have enough properly demia) desiring to participate as eligible now and in the future. qualified IT personnel to fill the current va- employers pre-qualify themselves as eligi- cancies. ble via application procedures (to be devel- We fully understand that some people may oped) with the Ministry of Labor to ensure oppose this proposal because they believe There are currently over 1,500 job opportuni- against any abuse of this mechanism. (incorrectly!) that this initiative will adversely ties existing within Luxembourg for which we 2. Eligible employer organizations submit impact on the employment prospects of ex- do not have adequately qualified candidates. their vacancies via job descriptions to the isting Luxembourg based job seekers look- If these jobs were quickly filled with the right Ministry of Labor, with the ADEM given ing for IT careers. We completely reject this people, the companies and activities involved no more than 20 business days to identify point of view. The reality is that all employers would be able to do work that currently they candidates the entity wishes to hire. prefer to hire locally so long as they can get can-not do and, as a result, these companies 3. Should successful local or EU wide can- the quality of candidates they seek. Locally and activities will be more successful, more didates not be presented and hired within hired persons have a much faster acclimation profitable, pay more taxes and hire additional the 20 business days, the company/entity into our companies, lower and fewer reset- employees within their Luxembourg teams will automatically be authorized to hire ex- tlement costs and challenges associated thereby generating a virtual circle which ternal to the EU. with moving, schools for their children and strengthens the locally based companies and 4. Successfully selected non-EU candidates other resettlement issues…so they are more ensures Luxembourg’s prosperity. will be submitted via the Ministry of For- productive for their employers faster and at eign Affairs work permit approval process- lower costs. Likewise, as they and their fam- Because those we seek to hire are in short es via special simplified application paper- ilies are already in Luxembourg their loyalty supply within Luxembourg, within the bor- work procedures (to be developed) which to the country is already established and the der Grand region and, indeed, throughout require less burdensome documentation family unit is at less risk of being unhappy Europe, regardless of location, they likely and with the assurance of a 10 business and wanting to leave. At the same time, since are in high demand with several options for day approval process. To ensure against the largest majority of people work in teams employment. Therefore, we believe the most abuse by companies, a 5,000 euro perfor- rather than by themselves, bringing in the appropriate solution needs to be simple and mance bond will be paid by the hiring en- fully qualified people we seek from outside rapid to execute to ensure we make a good tity as soon as the application is approved. the EU will add to the creation of additional first impression on the candidates we want 5. The successful candidate is granted a job opportunities in TECH for those our new to successfully recruit, and that we can get one year provisional work permit during programs are trying to make available as a re- them work permits quickly before they take which time the long form work permit ap- sult of retraining, skilling/re-skilling and other other jobs elsewhere. plication paperwork with documentation is activities. So, this initiative creates opportuni- prepared and submitted thereby extending ties for additional local hiring as well the pre- the work permit from a rapid, provisional viously mentioned benefits to strengthen the work permit into the normal work permit hiring entities, the economy and the broader approval regime. society. 6. Upon receipt of the normal work permit the performance bond is refunded to the We are pleased this initiative is supported by: hiring organization. ALFI, AMCHAM, APSI, Deloitte, Docler Hold- ing, FEDIL, KPMG, LIDIT, Post Luxembourg, We believe this fast track simplified pro- PwC Luxembourg, SnT, UEL and WIDE. cedure is legal and compliant with EU and Luxembourg law and will allow us to get the assets we need quickly to address the urgent Paul Michael Schonenberg We therefore propose the immediate estab- need for appropriately qualified IT personnel. Chairman and CEO - AMCHAM Luxembourg lishment of an simplified, accelerated, fast Via this mechanism we will keep and expand Jean Diederich track provisional work permit approval the numbers of highly skilled IT workers we President - APSI Luxembourg

Q1 2018 COMMUNITY NEWS

BAZAR INTERNATIONAL DE LUXEMBOURG 2017

The end of November saw the successful We would also like to recognize the generous Stand raised more money than last year! The conclusion of another Bazar International, contributions of our American Stand official, final numbers will be announced at Luxembourg’s largest charitable fundraising sponsors - House of Taste, John Deere the Volunteer & Sponsor Thank You Party in event, which in 2016 raised 580,000 - we’re Financial, Franklin Templeton Investments, mid-January. hoping for even more this year. The American and AMCHAM Luxembourg - who made in- Food and Merchandise Stands were buzzing kind and monetary contributions to support For more information, visit the Bazar Stands with activity from the start of the Bazar until The American Stand and the Bazaar’s many webpage at www.bazar-international.lu, or minutes before closing. Special thanks to worthy charities this year. We thank these contact American Stand Co-Chairs Maru The American Stand committee members generous companies for their philanthropic Oliver and Jade Greene. and the 100+ volunteers who helped make support of our local and global community. this a successful and memorable event, including our very own AMCHAM Chairman Over 60 countries participated in this year’s and CEO, Paul Schonenberg - Chili King Bazar to raise funds for 75 deserving for over 10 years now! One of the Bazar’s charities in Luxembourg and around founding participants, The American Stand the world, including the principle charity, continues to be a popular draw at an annual Fundebe Foundation, and the American event that attracts more than 27,000 visitors Stand’s chosen charity, Covenant House every year, including Prime Minister Xavier of Georgia (Atlanta), which opens doors of Bettel, who stopped by The American Stand opportunity and hope to homeless and at risk this year to make some purchases. youth. We’re still wrapping up our accounts, but we can already say that The American

Q1 2018 INFORMATION TOOLBOX

WHAT HAS THE U.S. TAX REFORM IN STORE FOR EUROPEAN COMPANIES?

The US Tax Reform winds its way through Pulling the trigger on tax reform: The Congress. And this once-in-a generation European bang tax event has massive implications as it in- As most of the proposed rules apply to cludes several corporate tax provisions that American taxpayers, US corporates are could have quite an effect on global compa- likely to rethink how they operate abroad. nies. Wim Piot, Tax Leader at PwC Luxem- One of the biggest changes concerns the bourg, examines what this tax reform has in taxation of the US foreign subsidiaries. store for European companies. Basically, where before reform repatriated profits are subject to US corporate tax they will not be any longer. Furthermore, those companies who have not repatriated past earnings could repatriate at a reduced rate. legedne photos Furthermore, any purchase by US companies from non US-affiliated companies may be hit by a 20% border tax. In other words, corporates will no longer have a tax incen- tive to expand abroad, on the contrary there will be a tax penalty to purchase abroad. Consequently, Europe could be faced with a number of potential challenges such as the loss of USD2.5 trillion that subsidiaries accumulate and invested offshore and a decline in trade with the US.

How Luxembourg may be affected? With the presence of several international American corporate subsidiaries in Luxem- bourg, the economic impact on the local economy and finance could be serious.

According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, there are more than 200 Ameri- can subsidiaries operating in Luxembourg that have invested more than USD500 bil- lion in the last two years alone.

The US tax reform may be more disruptive to business in Europe and Luxembourg in particular, even more than BEPS. The EU policy makers will hopefully be successful in lobbying for changes which do not dis- criminate, absent of which the EU will be inclined to retaliate. State aid claims towards US, although strictly speaking unrelated, do not help in this sensitive discussion. There Wim Piot are likely to be losers only.

By Wim Piot, PwC Luxembourg

Q1 2018 AMCHAM COMMITTEES: SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP REGIÔTELS, A 1-1-1 TRAILBLAZER...

site, everything was in English as well. The timing of my application made it feel like change was in the air and the initiative was nascent.

The process of accessing an ongoing dossier is controlled by the same Luxtrust to- ken one uses elsewhere.

While it is possible to establish the entity with only one euro capital, the process of establishing a simplified limited liability company costs a little more. Various fees to take into consideration include notary fees (to ensure no history of bankruptcy) and the enrollment fees at the Registre de Commerces et Sociétés, the total should be no more than a little over 140 EUR. It is possible to download the majority of documents as templates such as the articles of Gregory Tugendhat association.

From the initial beginnings of my opening When the business case behind RegiÔtels Duchy of Luxembourg since my arrival of the dossier to my company being estab- came up in April 2017, it never occurred to in April 2014. AMCHAM’s role in provid- lished (including getting an appointment me that my company would be among the ing support for the government initiative with a notary) the whole process took first 1-1-1 companies; a Société Anonyme (that was approved on the 23 July 2016 around three weeks. I was going at a lei- à Responsabilité Limitée Simplifiée – the and became applicable as of 16 January surely pace and I am sure that this period last word being the novelty. The reference 2017) was in my experience the bridge be- can be reduced considerably if required. I to 1-1-1; one euro capital, by one person in tween the policy and the English speaking found myself challenged a number of times one day is not completely accurate on ac- community. When looking up the date of the by the formatting when uploading the doc- count of the process taking a little longer vote in parliament, I came across the follow- uments and each time I called the helpline, than a day, but is more testament to the ing quote in the newspaper, “If we wanted to I received a really useful service that was ambition of achieving that goal in the near encourage more entrepreneurship in Lux- both thorough and complete. future. embourg, we had to find a way to make it happen,” explained Paul Schoenberg, Chair- Without exception, all of my interactions The company I established is called RegiÔtels man of AMCHAM. It is refreshing to see a with the key government entities such and is a government-supported initiative to government so understanding, engaging as the House of Entrepreneurship were drive more visitors to the regional hotels in and encouraging of the local business com- seamless and effortless. The registration of the Grand Duchy. The team is made up of munity. RegiÔtels was made on the 5th May 2017 eleven full and part time staff comprising and the authorization to establish was sent the disciplines of sales, digital distribution, With no frame of reference in setting out by the Ministry of the Economy on the yield management and destination mar- up a simplified limited liability company 10th May 2017. Given the different moving keting, with a focus on regions and region- in Luxembourg, the entire process was parts and the checks made, one day maybe al hotels, RegiÔtels uses and adapts the novel to me. The first day that I consult- soon the process will take a mere 24 hours, methods of international hospitality brands ed the Registre de Commerces et So- but until that time, I was more than satisfied while upgrading the digital infrastructure. ciétés (https://www.rcsl.lu/mjrcs/jsp/ by five days. IndexActionNotSecured.action?FROM_ I had followed the AMCHAM campaign of LANGUAGE_CHANGE=true&loop=2&- raising public awareness and support to time=1511674846443) the pages related By Gregory Tugendhat, simplify the numerous and costly hurdles in to setting up a company were in French Managing Director, RegiÔtels establishing new businesses in the Grand and German. By the next time I visited the

Q1 2018 Think higher, think wider.

Information System Consultants IT Business Strategy - Project Management Risk & Security - Training

www.openfield.eu AMCHAM COMMITTEES: HUMAN RESOURCES

WORKING FROM HOME : A LEGAL UPDATE

Catherine Di Lorenzo (Allen & Overy)

- to request a return to the ordinary set-up. Once the trial period is over, the teleworking set-up becomes an acquired right. While the Teleworking Regulation undoubtedly confers positive rights to employees (involvement of staff representatives, non-discrimination with colleagues who work in the employer’s Catherine Di Lorenzo, Nathaël Malanda, Gilles Dall’Agnol, Maurice Macchi, premises regarding topics like trainings and Paul Schonenberg, André Marc financial rights, etc.), it imposes stringent obligations on the employer as far as the equipment is concerned (the employer has legal constraints, practitioners have found the legal and financial responsibility for the workable practical solutions (Section 2), provision, the conformity and the support of which do confirm the trend though that de- the technical equipment). This explains why spite a perceived hype around teleworking, some companies, considering the Telework- it remains in practice a back-up rather than ing Regulation - which is applicable to tele- a regular set-up (“only” 6.1% of the active working carried out on a regular and usual population were working at least 8 hours per basis - as overly formalistic, are inclined to week from their home in 2015)1 . fall outside its scope, by allowing teleworking Maurice Macchi (Allen & Overy) only on an occasional basis. 1. Main Constraints On top of employment law considerations, Telework is generally considered as being A specific framework on teleworking was Luxembourg’s geographical situation and the circumstance for an employee to perform laid down by the social partners in the col- employment of cross-border commuters can work outside the employer’s premises, in par- lective agreement on teleworking (télétra- trigger teleworking-induced social security ticular from home, by using modern informa- vail), which is mandatory pursuant to a and tax consequences. tion technology or communication tools. Grand-Ducal Regulation of 15th March 2016 (hereafter the “Teleworking Regula- In fact, pursuant to regulation EC 883/2004, Since many employees struggle with the tion”). The Teleworking Regulation applies to regulation EC 987/2009 and EC regulation work-life balance and face traffic commut- work performed on a regular and usual ba- 645/2012 (modifying the other two regula- ing time, the interest to work from home is sis by means of information/communication tions), cross-border workers who are work- growing. The recent 3rd Industrial Revolu- tools at the employee’s home. If applicable, ing at least 25% in their country of residence tion Strategy Study for the Grand-Duchy of it requires to materialise the telework in the (France, Belgium or Germany) will depend Luxembourg (the so-called “Rifkin report”) employment contract (if the recourse to tele- on the social security authorities of their identifies “teleworking and remote working working is an element that has been decided place of residence. In such a case, both the spaces” as factors that “will progressively upfront by the parties) or in an addendum to employer and the employee are subjected to limit mobility demands in the future”. the employment contract (if the initial em- social contributions in accordance with the ployment contract did not address telework- applicable rates in the employee’s country of While the technical challenges around tele- ing). If teleworking is implemented through residence (which could be much higher than work are slowly disappearing, the legal con- an addendum, each of the parties has the the applicable rates in Luxembourg). straints remain real (Section 1). Within those right – during a trial period of 3 to 12 months

Q1 2018 AMCHAM COMMITTEES: HUMAN RESOURCES

From a tax point of view, certain activities accessed must be limited. More generally, are not suitable for teleworking given that teleworking on a permanent basis is not al- they cause the employer to have a perma- lowed. To be on the safe side, a security pol- nent establishment (i.e. a taxable presence) icy should be implemented/updated includ- in the corresponding neighbouring country. ing specific obligations to be respected by Leaving that factor aside, the main tax dis- the user. A risk assessment must be made cussions turn around income tax liabilities in and strong security solutions implemented the employee’s country of residence. In gen- (e.g. strong authentication, encryption of Gilles Dall’Agnol eral terms, income perceived by a cross-bor- communication, container or screen solu- (Allen & Overy) der worker as a result of work performed in tions, remote data wiping, no modification of Luxembourg for a Luxembourg employer is security components by employees). In any taxed in Luxembourg. Nevertheless, this rule case, it is recommendable that any mobility/ Since, pursuant to the Teleworking Regula- may be altered by the performance of tele- remote access project is submitted to the tion, it is mandatory to foresee teleworking working in the cross-border worker’s home CSSF beforehand. contractually and to involve the staff repre- country. To various degrees, the topic of how sentatives, the content of the policy, but also telework should be treated from a tax per- In light of the social security / tax aspects the content of a contractual addendum tem- spective has been raised regarding all of our and, if applicable, the financial sector con- plate, could be discussed simultaneously in neighbouring countries: straints, the current Luxembourg market order to avoid having to “negotiate” with each practice – in particular within companies employee individually the provisions of such • An understanding has been found be- with cross-border workers - is to allow only addendum. tween the German and Luxembourg au- a limited opening of teleworking so that the thorities on 26 May 2011 which foresees adverse effects are not triggered. If both the The policy would essentially enable the em- a “tolerance period” of 19 days per year. If company and the employee can get com- ployer to foresee appropriate safeguards the employee works in the country of res- fortable with this idea of telework limited in from most of the financial and practical risks. idence and/or in third countries for less scope, it is definitely possible to find work- than 20 days over the calendar year, the able solutions, both inside and outside the In relation to social security aspects, com- portion of the income from that employ- Telework Regulation. panies employing cross-border commuters ment activity that relates to the period un- would typically use the policy to limit telework der 20 days is exempted in the country of to 1 day per week for a full-time employee in residence (Germany) in case of taxation in order to avoid reaching the aforementioned the other country (Luxembourg). 25% threshold of activities performed in the • A similar agreement has been reached country of residence. between the Belgian and Luxembourg authorities on 16 March 2015, foreseeing a The tax situation is more complex to manage “tolerance period” of 24 days per year. for the employer given that different sets of • For France, the situation has not been di- rules have to be considered. It could be tack- rectly cleared (some specialist argue that Nathaël Malanda led by inserting a specific clause – in both (Allen & Overy) the “tolerance period” is of 183 days per the policy and the addendum – providing year whereas others do not see any “toler- that (i) the employee is solely responsible ance period” at all). 2. Workable Solutions Seen On The Market for the payment of taxes in his/her country of residence, (ii) that the employee shall Finally, for all companies of the financial Assuming a company accepts regular tele- keep record of the days worked from home sector intending to implement teleworking, work, the Teleworking Regulation will be ap- and that (iii) the employee shall regularly in- financial sector regulation comes into play. plicable but it remains recommended to set form the employer about these days. Such In fact, mobility solutions must not allow any up an internal policy determining the practi- a clause shifts the tax responsibility to the access outside of Luxembourg to data cov- cal modalities. employee: if the cross-border worker wants ered by the professional secrecy obligation to work more from home, he/she can do so, set forth in Art. 41 of the law of 5 April 1993 but will have to deal with the adverse income on the financial sector. Also, the number of tax consequences. persons benefiting from remote access as well as the number of systems that can be

Q1 2018 AMCHAM COMMITTEES: HUMAN RESOURCES

Another practical consideration is the track- ecommunications fees, the policy and adden- ing, i.e. outside the Teleworking Regulation, it ing of working hours. In fact, since the law dum can outline the details (e.g. granting the could be tempted to leave the situation com- of 14 March 2017, employers are legally employee a reasonable monthly or yearly lump pletely unregulated. In reality though, it is high- obliged to register the beginning, the end sum which is deemed to cover all related fees). ly recommended to set up a short document and the duration of the daily working time regulating work from home, to be signed by of all employees (except for higher-ranking Occasional telework is performed outside any employee having recourse to this method employees). To allow compliance with this the scope of the Teleworking Regulation. of work. The main elements to be regulated obligation, it is important that the policy sets There is no definition of what is considered are the practical recourse to occasional tele- out how working time (and the employer’s as regular/usual teleworking as opposed to work (potential prior authorisation; maximum information and control thereof) is organised. occasional teleworking. In our opinion, the number of days to avoid teleworking becomes occasional character of teleworking results regular), the exclusion of the employer’s liabil- The addendum and policy would also specif- from its low frequency and the absence of a ity for adverse income tax consequences, the ically deal with the health and safety topics, predefined/regular pattern. In light of this, the organisation of working time (to comply with for which the employer is, pursuant to the fact for an employee to be allowed to work the rules to register working time and to make Teleworking Regulation, responsible. In the- on average 2-4 time(s) per month from home sure work accidents are appropriately cov- ory, the employer should make an inspection for exceptional personal/family or other ex- ered) and the treatment of the equipment and visit at the employee’s home to verify that ceptional reasons (child sickness, motorway costs (outside the Teleworking Regulation, the the place where the telework is performed closed, bus strike, etc.), without there being parties are fully flexible to set their own rules). meets the health and safety requirements. In a regular/predefined pattern, should be con- order to avoid this burdensome obligation, an sidered as occasional. However, if the em- On the basis of the above, assuming the par- option could be for the employee to formally ployee is working from home every Friday or ties can live with the idea of telework limited certify – in the addendum – the compliance under a similar pattern, the Teleworking Reg- in scope, workable solutions are possible but of the place where telework is performed. ulation would in our opinion be applicable. should be properly documented. Such clause would reduce, to a certain ex- tent, the employer’s potential risk exposure. If the Teleworking Regulation is not applicable

because teleworking is only occasional, there By Gilles Dall’Agnol and Nathaël Malanda, Furthermore, since the Teleworking Regulation are no specific labour law rules governing the Allen & Overy also foresees that the company has to bear all work from home other than the ordinary la- costs related to teleworking, such as the costs bour law rules. If a company decides to au- 1 http://www.luxembourg.public.lu/en/actualites/2016/ of the equipment, the electricity and the tel- thorise to its employees occasional telework- 12/08-teletravail/index.html

Q1 2018 INFORMATION TOOLBOX

Creativity matters

With nearly 250,000 professionals worldwide, there will always be someone to offer a unique view on your organization. With almost 2,000 professionals in Luxembourg, we are only a call away.

Local faces with a global network. www.deloitte.lu

www.flemming-kaffee.de

Q1 2018 AMCHAM COMMITTEES : DIVERSITY

MAKING DIVERSITY WORK IN BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT: WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT

Karen Wauters (The Network), Catia Fernandes (IMS Luxembourg), Clara Sinigaglia (OLAI), John Parkhouse (PwC Luxembourg), Lisa-Francis Jennings (The Network), Minister Corinne Cahen (Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region), Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg), Alberta Brusi (Citibank Europe plc, Luxembourg Branch), Kary Bheemaiah (Uchange & Cambridge Judge Business School), Monique Bernard (Banque de Luxembourg)

Minister Corinne Cahen (Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region)

On September 20th, 2017 people gathered at Kary Bheemaiah (Consultant at Uchange, Research associate the Banque de Luxembourg to hear the latest with Cambridge Judge Business School, and Author of The Blockchain Alternative) research on the advantages of diversity in the and the Greater Region) workplace. Sponsored by the Ministry of Fam- ily Affairs, Integration and the Greater Greater www.youtube.com/watch?v=srGe50vyKko) creative results for complex problems. A Region (Asylum, Migration and Integration powerful message during the event was that Fund), this stimulating event was produced With a registration of over 170, the room was when you pit one gender against the other, in partnership with The Banque de Luxem- packed for the riveting speeches and panel or one culture against another, both lose, but bourg and The Network, Luxembourg’s oldest discussion. Influenced by the individual’s cul- that there is great opportunity in exploring association of English-speaking professional tural identity, personal perceptions, physiolo- and leveraging individuals’ potential. women. Keynotes were delivered by Minister gy and even upbringing, the different ways Corinne Cahen, Minister of Family Affairs, In- that people approach problems is integral to The lively panel discussions moderated by tegration and the Greater Region and Kary success in today’s marketplace. Research Karen Wauters of the Network, featured Bheemaiah, author, consultant and research proves that the combination of different per- Mrs. Alberta Brusi, Luxembourg Citi Coun- associate from Cambridge Judge Business sonal influencers, cognitive diversity, plays an try Officer, Citibank Europe plc, Luxembourg School (see Kary’s presentation at: https:// important role in generating better and more Branch, Mr. John Parkhouse, CEO of PwC

Q1 2018 AMCHAM COMMITTEES : DIVERSITY

Luxembourg, and Ms. Catia Fernandes, Co- ordinator Diversity Charter, IMS Luxembourg, as well as Mr. Kary Bheemaiah. Panelists provided insight on how their organizations promote and support diversity in the workplace and gave tips for ensuring an optimal mix of individuals for workplace team.

This event was organized with funding support of the “Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund” (AMIF) managed by the Luxembourg Reception and Integration Agency/Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Re- gion (OLAI) and represented at the event by Mrs. Clara Sinigaglia. The projects funded under the auspices of the AMIF Fund target the participation and integration of Third Country Nationals (non-EU citizens) legally residing in Luxembourg. We thank Banque de Luxem- Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg) bourg for providing the venue for this event.

Karen Wauters (The Network), John Parkhouse (PwC Luxembourg), Catia Fernandes (IMS Luxembourg), Kary Bheemaiah (Uchange & Cambridge Judge Business School), Alberta Brusi (Citibank Europe plc, Luxembourg Branch)

Q1 2018 LANGUAGE LEARNING SUPPORTING INTEGRATION THROUGH MULTILINGUALISM

Join us on 5 February 2018 for the launch 1. The Languages of Luxembourg pro- 2. The translation of the English language of AMCHAM’s mateneen projects! ject is a web-based language learning Doing Business in Luxembourg book tool that allows language learners to into Arabic and Persian, and available After a 2 year period of development, AM- simultaneously study/learn either 5 or as free downloadable pdf documents is CHAM is proud to present the successful 7 languages (Luxembourgish, French, intended to support Arabic and Persian completion of two projects in support of the German, Portuguese, English, Arabic language speakers looking for employ- integration of foreigners into Luxembourg and Persian). This web-best tool empow- ment or to create their own companies. with sponsorship from the Œuvre Na- ers learners to study at the time of their tionale de Secours Grande-Duchesse choice, at the location of their choice and AMCHAM Luxembourg, INTCOMLUX Charlotte through the mateneen initiative: makes use of free downloadable written and Mylanguage are the initiating partners and audio material available on the web- who worked together to develop these pro- site or free downloadable mobile phone jects. apps. These tools allow learners to study when, where and how long they want free from the constraints and costs of a normal classroom environment.

Q1 2018 LANGUAGE LEARNING

We invite all interested parties to join us to try out and interact with the support staff who developed these projects and to see for themselves how these products can be used to help foreigners located in Luxem- bourg on their journey of integration into successful living and working situations.

These projects will be officially launched on 5 February at the Luxembourg Cham- ber of Commerce in Kirchberg (7, Rue Al- cide de Gasperi, L-2981) starting at 19.00 in the presence of Mr. Pierre Bley, Pres- ident of the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte.

The Upcoming Persian version of the “Doing Business in Luxembourg” book

� زودی � ��ﻪ ��ﯽ

Q1 2018 COMMUNITY NEWS

TOWN HALL MEETING WITH KEY LUXEMBOURG POLITICIANS

On 27 September 2017 AMCHAM Luxembourg and its partners, the International Community Center, the Luxembourg- Poland Business Club, ROMLUX and The Network, invited senior politicians from the six principle political parties in Luxembourg. Each speaker was offered a 7 minutes time slot to tell the assembled Luxembourg and International attendees of this event why foreign and Luxembourg nationality voters should vote for their respective political parties in the October 2017 Communal Razvan Radu , Frederic Kieffer , Marc Angel , elections. This “speed dating” format was (ROMLUX) (ING Luxembourg) (LSAP) Simône van Schouwenburg (ING Luxembourg), Sven Clement (Pirate Party), followed by Q&A between the politicians and Claude Radoux (DP), Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg), the audience and then a cocktail networking Françoise Folmer (déi gréng), Serge Wilmes (CSV), Felix Reding (ADR) kindly sponsored by ING Luxembourg.

Felix Reding (ADR) Serge Wilmes (CSV) Françoise Folmer (déi gréng)

Claude Radoux (DP) Marc Angel (LSAP) Sven Clement (Pirate Party)

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS: THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:

Q1 2018 AMCHAM COMMITTEES : ABAL

AMCHAM / STEP JOINT NOVEMBER LUNCHEON EVENT- FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE (FININT) DATA: PROTECTING YOUR COMPANY FROM FRAUD AND COMPLYING WITH THE NEW LEGAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Grahame White (Analysis International) Louise Benjamin (STEP)

Financial Institutions play a vital forensic lighted the need to criminalise the funding appropriate human intervention and resourc- role in the disruption of financial crime and of Recruitment, Training and Travel, therefore ing can deter and disrupt the descent into money laundering, as they hold immense the Financial Sector must take decisive ac- extremism, and provide an effective reporting amounts of data, however it is felt that their tion within the parameters of existing funda- mechanism for Law Enforcement and other effective involvement in the identification mental rights Agencies across Europe and USA, against and disruption of Terrorist intentions and those engaged in terrorist activity. activity remains elusive. Increasingly Nation- Analysis International are working with the al Governments and Regulators recognize European Financial Sector to deliver in- 3. Allow for the Financial sector to play a the need to be able to detect the radicali- creased technological and advisory capabili- more robust and accountable role to sup- zation process before it leads to extremism, ty to achieve the following: port and protect the wider Global community and increasingly more is being requested/ from Extremism and Terrorism, through the demanded of the financial institutions to in- 1. Detect the radicalization process as it can effective use of software and data that can terrogate and utilize their data sources more be identified in a financial footprint that rec- trace and track terrorists through their finan- effectively. ognizes transactional activity that indicates cial movements. an increasing desire to engage in overseas Whilst Europe has taken major steps to im- jihad or domestic extremism. 4. Utilizing the intelligence capability of soft- prove effectiveness in its efforts to counter ware to recognize which financial products terrorism, terrorists, and terrorist financing, 2. Create a more effective and intelligence and internal processes and systems are more must be done, and discussion around focused environment within financial institu- vulnerable to abuse by Terrorist groups/in- the Directive on Combatting Terrorism high- tions whereby the technology allied with the dividuals, and the effective application of the software and financial intelligence identified from its interrogation.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER: Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg)

Q1 2018 COMMUNITY NEWS

AMCHAM 2017 - THANKSGIVING DINNER

Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg), Karine Dominguez (Swarovski by ABS Luxe), Malek Lahmadi (AMCHAM)

Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy Étienne Schneider, Karine Dominguez (Swarovski by ABS Luxe), Malek Lahmadi (AMCHAM Luxembourg) Honorary Ambassador Guy de Muyser, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Kristi Roberts (U.S. Embassy), Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg), Chargé d’Affaires Kerri Hannan (U.S. Embassy), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy Étienne Schneider On 17 November 2017, the AMCHAM H.E. Ambassador of the Netherlands Mr. Community gave thanks to the Luxembourg Han-Maurits Schaapveld, Counsellor of the people, the Luxembourg government and Japan Embassy Mr. Takahisa Kikuchi and the collective international community for Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the US the good life we enjoy here in Luxembourg. Embassy Mrs. Kristi Roberts. We were honored by the presence of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy Étienne Schneider Economy, Minister of Internal Security and Economy, Minister of Internal Security and Minister of Defence Étienne Schneider, Minister of Defence Étienne Schneider was Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy Mrs. presented with the “The 2017 AMCHAM Kerri Hannan, H.E. Honorary Ambassador Economic Strength and Prosperity Award” Guy de Muyser, H.E. Ambassador of the in the shape of a crystal bull, thereby Czech Republic Mr. Petr Kubernat, H.E. honoring his leadership of the economy and British Ambassador Mr. John Marchall, H.E. contribution to the prosperity we all enjoy. Ambassador of Poland Mr. Piotr Wojtczak, H.E. The award was sponsored by Swarowski by Ambassador of Belgium Mr. Jean-Louis Six, ABS - Luxe.

Bernhard Jäckel (POST Luxembourg)

H.E. British Ambassador Mr. John Marshall (British Embassy), Minister Étienne Schneider, Massimo Russo (Open Field) Chargé d’Affaires Kerri Hannan (U.S. Embassy), Mrs. Alberta Brusi (Luxembourg Citi Country Officer, Citibank Europe plc, Luxembourg Branch), Mr. Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg)

Q1 2018 COMMUNITY NEWS

Prize offered by Leonidas Belval Prize offered by Leonidas Belval

Prize offered by Rituals Belle Etoile Prize offered by Rituals Belle Etoile

Prize offered by Les Bohemes Prize offered by Double Tree by Hilton

Prize offered by Double Tree by Hilton Prize offered by Légère Hotel Luxembourg

Q1 2018 COMMUNITY NEWS

Prize offered by Goeres Group Prize offered by SMETS

Prize offered by SMETS Prize offered by Luxair

Prize offered by Royal Air Maroc Prize offered by Qatar Airlines

Prize offered by Emirates Airlines Prize offered by Emirates Airlines

Malek Aouini Lahmadi (AMCHAM Luxem- Mr. and Mrs. Sekulu, Paul Schonenberg Stéphane di Carlo (EGB Interior Design) bourg), Selma Aouini (Karoui & Karoui Tunisia)

Q1 2018 COMMUNITY NEWS

Chargé d’Affaires Mrs. Kerri Hannan (U.S. Embassy), Mr. Marios Chrsitodoulou (TCI Luxembourg), Mr. Neirouz Lahmadi Mrs. Wojtczak (Embassy of Poland), H.E. Ambassador (Citco Gateway), H.E. Ambassador Mr. Petr Kubernat Mr. Piotr Wojtczak (Embassy of Poland), Acting Deputy Chief (Embassy of the Czech Republic), Mrs. Wojtczak (Embassy of Poland), of Mission Mrs. Kristi Roberts (U.S. Embassy), Counsellor Mr. H.E. Ambassador Mr. Piotr Wojtczak (Embassy of Poland) Takahisa Kikuchi (Embassy of Japan), Mrs. Kikuchi (Embassy of Japan)

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

THANK YOU TO OUR AWARD SPONSOR:

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS:

Q1 2018 AVEC LA COLLECTION SAINT-VALENTIN EXPAT PROFILE SNAPSHOTS

EXPAT PROFILE SNAPSHOTS Integration is a two-way street: newcomers need to adjust and fit in, but at the same time theyINTERVIEWS can make a great contribution to the economic and quality of life success of Lux- embourg. The following two interviews are designedIntegration to is put a two-waya human street: face onnewcomers expats ex - plainingneed to whoadjust they and are, fit what in, butthey at think the sameabout Luxembourg,time they can theirmake aspirations, a great contribution why they toare herethe economic and what successcontributions and qualitythey have of life or canin makeLuxembourg. to Luxembourg. The following In this editiontwo interviews and all of theare 2016designed editions to put of aConnexion human face we onwill ex fea- - turepats twoexplaining Expat Profile who they Snapshots. are, what Our theygoal is tothink bridge about the Luxembourg,gap between netheir aspirations, why they are here and what contributions they have or can make to Luxembourg. In this edition and all of the 2018 editions of Connexion we will feature two Expat Profile Snapshots. Our goal is to bridge the gap between newcomers and long-time resi- dents… and therefore support integration. This initiative is supported by the “Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund” (AMIF) and the Luxembourg Reception and Integration Agency/Ministry of Family and Integration (OLAI).

Q1 2018 EXPAT PROFILE SNAPSHOTS

HAKAN SEKULU Integration is Key

“Make no mistake,” says Hakan Sekulu, “the the winning strategy of government and busi- didn’t return to Turkey for 2 years, just to en- biggest change in Luxembourg in the last ness in lock-step as they improve legislation sure that he was completely immersed in the decade is the competition. It’s tougher than and immigration processes (eg, faster issu- Luxembourgish culture. His wide travel, gave ever now and with tech and space becoming ance of Visas & Work Permits for highly skilled him a unique opportunity to compare Luxem- the government’s focus, in addition to an al- employees), update regulations, upgrade in- bourg to big and small countries around the ready thriving Finance industry, competition frastructure and modify laws (such as Sunday world, and he learned that patience is a virtue for jobs and workers will only increase.” shopping) to attract and accommodate a larg- in a small country that values relationships and er and more diverse population. respects alliances. He feels strongly that the Arriving in 1999, Hakan has seen a lot of disadvantage of the high cost of living, espe- change in his almost 20 years here. Back then, cially for accommodation, and lack of English it was relatively easy for anyone to get a job, in the service industry, is far outweighed by the no matter their education or qualifications. The central location; truly in the heart of Europe, most important skill was languages. There was and the clean, secure daily life here. less variety in foreigners, and a relatively wide array of jobs and prospects for the population, Whether you love your new home or not, living especially those who were well-educated and in a foreign country can be challenging for just who had international experience. Even so, about anyone. Hakan’s advice to someone re- there were fewer professionals migrating from locating here is valuable: non-EU regions back then, especially countries like Turkey, so Hakan worked doubly hard Do your homework. Know the rules and how to fit in. “One of the striking differences today things really work (like exchanging your driv- is the multicultural diversity throughout busi- er’s license within a couple of months of your ness, and the country.” declares Hakan, “Being commune registration). comfortable working and living in an international environment, and speaking different lan- Understand your rights in terms of pension, guages is an advantage.” health and mobility – especially of you will be importing your personal belongings. Hakan took 2 months to study French when he first arrived, so he was able to apply for and “Growth Drives Most of all, learn the languages and get out work in another language quite quickly. He to volunteer; it’s a great way to meet people, now speaks French, German, and Luxembour- Competitiveness” get to know the country and understand what gish as well as his native Turkish and English, ‘makes it tick’. and attributes his willingness to dive into the The welcoming and congenial population has culture as an important element of his success. realized the value of living in a multicultural Hakan’s work at AMCHAM and the Internation- With an undergraduate degree in Economics environment, and embraced it. “People are al Community Centre, in additional to mentor- and a Masters degree in Strategic Manage- open and hospitable here.” says Hakan, “But ing and orientating new hires in his workplace, ment and International Finance, it’s easy to we must remember that if we want to inte- has provided him with the perfect platform to see his strategic mind at work when he speaks grate fully into this great country, and to be speak with authority about the value of diving about the government’s focus on expanding welcomed, we must be welcoming ourselves.” in and becoming involved in your new home. Luxembourg’s international profile. Over 18 “Things can always be improved, but ultimately, years ago, the Finance Industry here had an Hakan took a direct and focused path to inte- we are lucky to be living in Luxembourg and international mindset, but it was dominated by gration, getting out regularly to meet people, enjoying the wonderful opportunities that are French speakers. Now it is easier for non-EU learning languages, and studying local history created when government and business work citizens to immigrate and to contribute to busi- and customs. He also limited his exposure to together, and the local and foreign population ness life. Hakan has worked at every level of his native land and language to achieve full cooperate and collaborate well.” his organization; from Operations, Internal Au- fluency as rapidly as possible. With frequent dit, and Compliance. He enjoys talking about travel to the USA, Asia and the Middle East, he Lisa FRANCIS-JENNINGS

Q1 2018 EXPAT PROFILE SNAPSHOTS

MICHAEL MANDIC Senior Consultant Badenoch & Clark, Follow Your Dream

Few people, even expats who live in far-off human scale of the city appealed to him and countries, can imagine the impact of broken finding accommodation within easy walking dreams suffered by a refugee. Forced to distance of his workplace was pretty effort- flee from his home town Sarajevo to Ser- less, as was the work permit process. bia, Michael Mandic chose a very altruistic method to deal with the trauma of his sta- Although Michael speaks Serbian (Croatian) tus: he worked with Humanitarian agencies basic German & Russian, and impeccable helping others to improve the situation of English, he can still find the French required fellow refugees, first with Handicap Inter- for daily life here a challenge. “English is national in Serbia & Montenegro, and then the universal language of business, tourism with Aktion Direkte Hilfe in Bosnia. and communication in general.” he remarks, “Luxembourg should consider adding more This personable, well-spoken new arrival, signs and at least tourist information in this who is a senior consultant with Badenoch & widely-spoken language to make it easier Clark, took quite a circuitous route to Lux- for tourist and immigrants to get around and embourg. Although his goal was to study learn about this wonderful country.” business administration before he was forced from his home as a refugee: without Of course, for this intelligent, out-going a way to retrieve his school records, Mi- “English is the universal professional, language does not stand in chael could not gain access to a business language of business, the way of making new friends and he has school. Undaunted, he studied Art History, found many ways to occupy his free time, then Tourism, just so he could have a col- tourism and communica- travelling, exploring parts of the city or go- lege record, and a marketable profession tion in general.” ing out with friends from the office. Michael that would allow him to work and support smiles disarmingly, “I have a dream job. I his family. Moving to Canada on a special help super people get great jobs and build immigration refugee settlement program, Investment and to restart the transitioning their career prospects. I help them work out he worked at various jobs including the Hol- economy. Recommended by a fellow col- what is important to them and to achieve iday Inn and the Four Seasons Hotels while league, he found himself in a Recruitment work-life balance.” With many clients com- studying for his BBA at the Schulich School job for a Swiss Executive Search Firm spe- ing to Luxembourg from other lands, his ad- of Business (York University, Toronto). While cialising in Private Banking & Wealth Man- vice for newcomers is to surf social media there, he also headed up the Serbian Stu- agement. He covered Switzerland, Monaco and to make networking a priority. He sees dent Club, where he leveraged his natural and Luxembourg, and he became intrigued it as an easy and fun way to get oriented. talent for connecting and communicating with this tiny country. When the opportunity As well, he recommends shared accommo- with people; helping new arrivals get settled arose to work in either London, Amsterdam dation for the first few months, to provide and oriented to the rhythm of school and life or Luxembourg, Michael had no problem a built-in support structure during the ac- in their new city, or just connect with their making the decision. “It’s a fairy-tale city of climatization period to your new country. It roots. interesting, rambling streets and very few would be great if coffee shops stayed open straight lines.” says Michael, “It is beautiful, later, if outstanding customer service were It was during his time working and living in empty on weekends, and clean… and it a priority for more establishments, or hous- Vancouver, that he realized Canada was just smells wonderful!” he adds, describing the ing was more affordable, but Michael is phil- too far from friends and family. Spending lilies and magnolia trees that dot almost osophical. All in all, he finds Luxembourg a all his vacation travelling back and forth to every neighbourhood in the Spring. As well, great place to live and work, and to connect Serbia, he finally decided that it was time to he found the juxtaposition of luxury hotels with your dreams. Not bad for a boy who return to Belgrade. Only a couple of years and shops, with street people and beggars, was forced to flee his home at 18. after major democratic changes, the econ- a thought-provoking contrast. omy was still quite depressed. Michael first worked as a Head of Investment Promotion Michael did his initial research on the city Lisa FRANCIS-JENNINGS for the Country and various Investment Ad- remotely, using google maps (street view), visory positions, to attract Foreign Direct to explore the different areas and sites. The

Q1 2018 COMMUNITY NEWS

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCH WITH MINISTER OF FINANCE PIERRE GRAMEGNA

Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna was the guest of honor at the Annual Christmas lunch of the American Chamber of Commerce and its English-speaking partner organizations on 11 December 2017. 200 attendees joined Minister Gramegna in the atrium of Sofitel Kirchberg to applaud the strength of the Luxembourg economy and to recognize the special relationship between the foreign community and the local Luxembourg population. Paul Schonenberg, the AMCHAM Chairman and CEO, introduced Minister Gramegna saying “By education, background and experience, our Minister of Finance, Pierre Gramegna, is the right person in the right place at the right time.” Paul Schonenberg went on to make the point that the strong Luxembourg economy and the prosperity that it has produced did not happen because of luck, but was produced by the uniqueness of the Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna partnership between the wise policies of the Luxembourg government, the openness and welcome of the Luxembourg people, combined with the loyalty, hard work and extraordinary qualifications of the international community along with the commitment and smart business initiatives of the international companies who have chosen and committed to Luxembourg as their international headquarters in Europe. In his speech to the invited guests, Minister Gramegna praised and echoed this partnership and committed to keeping Luxembourg the best place in Europe for international companies and their employees.

Johana Denton (British Chamber of Commerce), Kristi Roberts (U.S. Embassy) Caroline Mühlfenzl (GSK Luxembourg), Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg), Kerri Hannan (U.S. Embassy), Christian Barkei (St. George’s International School), Mathilde Ostertag (GSK Luxembourg), James O’Neal (AMMC Law)

Natalia Durus (AMCHAM Luxembourg), Minister Pierre Gramegna, Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg), Malek Lahmadi (AMCHAM Luxembourg)

Artur Sosna (Luxembourg-Poland Chamber of Commerce), Razvan Radu (Romania Luxembourg Business Forum), Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg), Lisa Francis-Jennings (The Network), Francis Hoogewerf (China Chopsticks), Dana Moldoveanu Brandes (AVRIS), Joseph Huggard (Ireland Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce) Paul Schonenberg (AMCHAM Luxembourg)

Q1 2018 COMMUNITY NEWS

Citco Gateway and guests d.law and guests Deloitte and guests

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Q1 2018 COMMUNITY NEWS

UPCOMING AMCHAM EVENTS

10 NEWCOMERS’ ORIENTATION 05 MARCH ABAL LUNCHEON: KNOWLEDGE Febr. COURSES FOR THIRD-COUNTRY MANAGEMENT USING “COMMUNITIES NATIONALS IN PORTUGUESE OF PRACTICE” – A NEW METHODOLOGY 03 NEWCOMERS’ ORIENTATION 09.45, Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce FOR TOMORROW COURSES FOR THIRD-COUNTRY AMCHAM Luxembourg, under the auspices 12.00, Hotel Parc Belair NATIONALS IN ENGLISH of and with the funding support of the “Asylum, The functioning of operational concepts, 09.45, Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Migration and Integration Fund” (AMIF) and viewed on the basis of the main challenges AMCHAM Luxembourg, under the auspices the Luxembourg Reception and Integration and advantages associated with “communities of and with the funding support of the “Asylum, Agency/Ministry of Family and Integration of practice”, will be mapped, explored and Migration and Integration Fund” (AMIF) and (OLAI), organizes free of charge 6 hours long explained by our guest of honor Ms. Lisa the Luxembourg Reception and Integration Newcomers Orientation Courses. Obringer, PhD student & Consultant. Agency/Ministry of Family and Integration (OLAI), organizes free of charge 6 hours long Newcomers Orientation Courses. 28 DATA PROTECTION - 08 LIFE AND CAREER ADVICE DATA TRANSFERS TO NON-EU COUNTRIES FROM SUCCESSFUL LEADERS UNDER THE NEW GDPR 19.00, PwC Luxembourg 05 FEBRUARY ABAL LUNCHEON: 12.00, STREFF Join us and be part of a balanced audience FIRST IMPRESSIONS AFTER ONE With the May 2018 implementation date of to celebrate International Woman’s Day on 8 YEAR OF LIVING IN THE GRAND DUCHY - the new EU-wide General Data Protection March 2018. You will have the opportunity to ONE EXPAT’S SWOT ANALYSIS Regulation (GDPR) fast approaching, the discover a series of masterclass level advice 12.00, Alvisse Parc Hotel American and British Chambers of Commerce, presentations by highly successful, strong At our lunch, Jim Robinson – who has lived in conjunction with STREFF - Data Protection leaders! most of his professional life as an expat – will Services, offer you the opportunity to hear share his thoughts on what he perceives to directly from Luxembourg’s data protection be Luxembourg’s strengths and weaknesses, authority, the Commission Nationale pour la Apr. as well as the opportunities and threats the Protection des Donnés (CNPD). country faces. 17 MIFID II : MYTHS & INSIGHTS 19.00, Banque de Luxembourg Mar. AMCHAM’s Risk, Audit & Compliance 05 LAUNCH OF AMCHAM’S Committee invites you to an event on the topic MATENEEN PROJECTS 05 12 19 26 EXPLORING THE SOCIAL, “MiFID II : Myths & Insights”. The event takes 19.00, Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce POLITICAL AND BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT place on 17 April at Banque de Luxembourg AMCHAM’s mateneen projects (The OF LUXEMBOURG starting at 19.00. Languages of Luxembourg and the Arabic and 18.30, Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Persian translations of the “Doing Business in AMCHAM Luxembourg is pleased to Luxembourg” book) will be officially launched partner with the House of Training, the on 5 February at the Luxembourg Chamber Chamber of Commerce Luxembourg and the of Commerce in Kirchberg (7, Rue Alcide Office Luxembourgeois de l’Accueil et de de Gasperi, L-2981) starting at 19.00 in the l’Intégration, to offer a series of courses on presence of Mr. Pierre Bley, President of Luxembourg’s social, political and business For details and sign up, please the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande- environment. visit the AMCHAM website: Duchesse Charlotte. http://www.amcham.lu/events/

Q1 2018 DOING BUSINESS IN LUXEMBOURG

CHARTER MEMBERS The American Chamber of Commerce ALFI in Luxembourg a .s .b .l . is an international Alter Domus voluntary organization of business persons AMMC Law - Avocats à la Cour committed to promoting English-speaking AMPLEXOR Luxembourg networking opportunities and business Arendt & Medernach, Attorneys at Law relations in the Grand Duchy . Badenoch & Clark Bank Julius Baer Luxembourg S .A . Bank of China CHAIRMAN AND CEO BDO Tax & Accounting Paul-Michael Schonenberg BIL BNP Paribas Real Estate COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR By Lentz Clearstream International Natalia Durus, - [email protected] Dechert Luxembourg MARKETING MANAGER D . Law Deloitte Malek Lahmadi - [email protected] Delphi Corporation EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Docler Holding DSM Avocats à la Cour Natalia Durus, Etude Notaire Karine Reuter Paul-Michael Schonenberg European Relocation Services EY Luxembourg LAYOUT CONCEPTION Finimmo Fragomen lola.lu G4S Security Solutions PRINTER Goodyear Print Solutions Guardian Europe Halsey Group

Hauck & Aufhäuser Privatbankiers AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN LUXEMBOURG Intertrust (Luxembourg) 6, rue Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - L-1432 Luxembourg Intrasoft International Phone: (+352) 43 17 56 - Fax: (+352) 26 09 47 04 Java Business Management KNEIP WWW .AMCHAM .LU KPMG Luxembourg LOGOS IT Services S .A . Loyens & Loeff McKinsey & Company MEDTRONIC MNKS Oracle POST Luxembourg PPG Luxembourg PwC Luxembourg Please Note: The American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg RBC Investor & Treasury Services does not necessarily endorse the views or opinions expressed Ramius Enterprise Luxembourg Holdco in this periodical nor accept any responsibility in connection Sandstone with information rendered . State Street Bank Luxembourg Copyright © 2018: Streff Removals & Storage The American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg Team Relocations No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg . Totalserve Management All editorial materials and advertising inquiries should be addressed Unify S .A . to the Chamber at the above address . United International Management

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