Marc Hansen Highlights Government's Digitalisation Efforts at Digital X Event in Cologne

On Wednesday, Luxembourg's Minister Delegate for Digitalisation, Marc Hansen, attended this year's Digital X event in Cologne.

As one of the largest cross-sectoral digitalisation initiatives for small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe, Digital X attracted some 20,000 visitors as it closed a series of six regional events organised in Germany throughout the year 2019.

Marc Hansen began his visit with a round table entitled "Re-Invent Europe: Moving into a self-determined digital future", alongside Claudia Nemat from Deutsche Telekom AG, Henrik Büning from the Neuroflash startup and Alexander Graf Lambsdorff from the Deutscher Bundestag (German federal parliament).

Asked about the Luxembourg Government's efforts to support citizens and businesses on the road to digitalisation, Marc Hansen recalled that the government will continue to invest in digital infrastructure and connectivity in order to support the country's ambition to position itself as a digital and data hub. He also pointed out that the creation of the Ministry of Digitalisation crystallises the government's desire to move forward in the digital transformation of the country. Indeed, one of the strategic pillars of the ministry is at the eGovernment level. In this context, Minister Hansen said: "We want to create new products and services to make life easier for businesses and society in their administrative dealings with the state".

On the other hand, he also emphasised that digital inclusion will be an important part of Luxembourg's continuous digital development, as digitalisation must benefit society as a whole and should not be limited to the most "connected".

Regarding the policy on new technologies and digitalisation focused on human beings, Marc Hansen focused on the fact that the government has set up a national strategy for the economy data and an artificial intelligence (AI) vision. These are aimed at enriching companies and civil society in Luxembourg and continuing to promote the diversification of the economy. As far as AI is concerned, there will soon be a public consultation where Luxembourg citizens will be invited to express their own views and thoughts.

Minister Hansen concluded that "a country or a government can not stop digitalisation. However, a government has the possibility, indeed the duty, to create framework conditions so that civil society is an integral part of this process".

Marc Hansen completed his Cologne trip with a visit to the Digital X booths during which he was able to learn about the many digital innovations presented at this event.