crossroads magazine Luxembourg has a solid track record of attracting re- search and development (R&D) and innovation-intensive companies: multinational groups with dedicated in - novation centres as well as smaller businesses inno - vating at the cutting edge of their fields. We spoke to Lex Delles, Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, and Stéphanie Obertin, Minister for Re- search and Higher Education, to find out what Luxem- bourg has to offer. A stable base for long-term R&D investments “Luxembourg is able to attract, and above all retain, these companies due to specific advantages, includ- ing our location at the heart of the European market and our political and economic stability,” says Minister Delles. “For large groups considering long-term tech- nological investments, this predictability is often the deciding factor.” He also highlights the short decision-making pro - cesses, the direct dialogue between public, private and academic stakeholders, and the adaptable support instruments. “Many companies that established their first research teams here decades ago remain in Luxembourg because they appreciate an environment in which they can ex- periment, collaborate and develop long-term projects with the government, which they regard as a reliable partner.” Public-private research partnerships driving innovation Another important factor is how easily companies can form strategic partnerships with public research organi- sations and develop ambitious collaborative projects, lev- eraging state-of-the-art infrastructure. “This strengthens their roots in the country,” Minister Delles points out. Facilitating such public-private cooperation is at the heart of the country’s research strategy. “Our objective is not only to foster scientific excel- lence, but also to ensure that knowledge translates into tangible economic and societal progress and techno- logical leadership,” states Minister Obertin. “In a rap- idly evolving world, countries that invest in research strengthen their ability to shape change rather than simply respond to it.” What attracts innovation-driven companies to Luxembourg? The Economy and Research ministers outline Luxembourg’s strategy for attracting and retaining R&D-intensive businesses. BY LENA MÅRTENSSON