Minister Schmit supports international exchange

(CS) Employment minister Nicolas Schmit has called the international community a great asset to Luxembourg, saying the country should make the most of the age of mobility.

Speaking to an audience of 120 people from over 25 different nationalities at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) in Luxembourg, Schmit highlighted the importance of gaining skilled, qualified people for the country's economy.

“People should and do move around the globe,” said Schmit, but he continued that many of the top candidates move to the US, Asia and also Australia. Europe, and Luxembourg included, often were not at the top of the list.

This was one of the reasons Luxembourg decided to adopt the Blue Card system, similar to the United States' Green Card, to facilitate easier movement around Europe for those coming from abroad, and giving access to a range of socio-political benefits.

Still, Schmit showed himself proud of what Luxembourg has achieved so far, commenting the Grand Duchy was a very different country now from what it was when he was growing up as a child. The minister pointed out Luxembourg's attractive natural environment, its international schools, the high level of security as well as the growing cultural offers.

With all the benefits the Grand Duchy has to offer Schmit was ready to admit that administrative processes could still be made easier, but that it was one of his priorities to improve information-sharing and reduce bureaucracy.

Not only do skilled employees from the international community make their mark in areas like business and research, helping “a small economy which wants to have its place in globalisation,” said Schmit, but the influx of talent also creates jobs in Luxembourg and for the country's citizens, encouraging the talent of tomorrow to seek high levels of qualification.

While not addressing the recent economic woes across the EU, Schmit nonetheless said that the changing times called for a redesign of the economy, for which innovation, talent and the exchange of ideas would be needed. “There is no closed society anymore.”