On Friday 28 January 2022, the British Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg (BCC) held its annual Member’s New Year Cocktail; this event was held online in abridged format comprising primarily two speeches, instead of the three-and-a-half hour face-to-face event originally envisaged to take place at the Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

2022 is a special year for the British Chamber as it is celebrating its 30th anniversary: this New Year Cocktail kicked-off these celebrations.

Dan Eischen, Chairman of the BCC, addressed the 35-strong (online) attendance and welcomed everyone to the traditional new-year cocktail event. He explained that it would have been better to meet in person but with the ; in real life we would have been able to talk about business we would like to do together, as well as Brexit, the pandemic and skiing we would like to do, as well as Bitcoin, Ukraine, etc. However, we can still have a drink together even though we are meeting virtually.

He looked back over the past year and welcomed the British Ambassador Fleur Thomas who had offered the use of her residence; even though the Chambre de Commerce in Kirchberg offered their (larger) premises, he stated that it was prudent to do this event virtually at this time.

He gave a brief overview of the chamber’s activities in 2021 and explained that they were able to establish more links with the British Chamber of Commerce in the UK, including co-organising events and sharing resources and knowledge. He also referenced media partnerships and working with journalists, as well as welcoming government ministers, including Paulette Lenert, Luxembourg’s Minister of Health and now Deputy PM. He also addressed the link between start-ups and innovation, as well as sustainability which has become more and more important to the BCC. He also referenced the chamber’s leadership forum, creating value in the virtual world, as well as other events such as social gatherings involving wine tasting and beer tasting.

He thanked Becca and Louise at the BCC Secretariat, as well as the council members, for their dedication throughout the year.

Despite not being to meet in person, he hopes to be able to do so shortly; he mentioned both the chamber celebrating its 30th anniversary and is looking at the year ahead. Although not yet ready to announce firm details, he did confirm three dates: 24 February (first drink, launch of 30th anniversary programme); 22 April (Easter lunch – in place of the 2021 Christmas lunch which was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions); 30 June (event at the British Ambassador’s residence).

Fleur Thomas, British Ambassador to Luxembourg, also spoke and talked about the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. She said that the embassy is buying a tent to extend the summer with a number of events. She mentioned about working with key Luxembourg stakeholders, including regarding the fight against climate change and referenced the COP 26 conference held last year in Glasgow. She also mentioned working with students at St. Georges international school and also referenced the creation of an insect hotel at her residence.

She referenced the local financial sector here and mentioned the relationship with the UK involving strong bilateral dialogue. On transport, she recalled that Luxembourg the first country to start dialogue with the UK after Brexit. She mentioned that the grace period on customs (from Brexit) and admitted that this does cause issues.

She said that she enjoyed hosting round-table events at her embassy and mentioned that Stefan van Look is the embassy’s new Trade and Investment Advisor as Thomas Flammant is retiring this year. She also mentioned other events hosted by the embassy last year, both in-person and online. She confirmed that the residence has undergone some renovation and redecoration last year, with additional works to come this year too.

She also confirmed that almost €2,000 was raised last year for the annual Poppy Appeal, the largest amount collected for a number of years in Luxembourg.

She concluded by thanking the British Chamber as well as the British community in Luxembourg for making her so welcome since her arrival last year.