Interview with H.E. Mr Jean Claude Kugener

Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to India

In another fascinating interview that we have put on our cover (after the one in April 2019) H.E. Mr Jean Claude Kugener, Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to India, speaks about the National Day (June 23), relief measures initiated by the Embassy for citizens of his country who were stranded in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the growing bilateral business ties with India, and a range of other issues. Like last year, the interviewer is Sayantan Chakravarty, Editor and Publisher of the New Delhi-based India Empire Magazine

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a period of business disruption all over the world, and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has been no exception. As Head of Mission in India and adjoining nations, how have you personally assessed this difficult period? This pandemic has indeed severely affected our countries. Luxembourg has been badly hit since the first COVID-19 case was detected on 29 February 2020 and ranks 19th within the 27 EU countries in terms of deaths. The economy already shrank by 6% and the unemployment rate in May rose to 7%, a 30% increase compared to 2019. In its latest statistics, EUROSTAT reveals that Luxembourg had a -34% export reduction during the first four months of the year and closing borders also had a devastating effect particularly as more than 200.000 commuters cross the frontiers every day from Belgium, France and Germany to come to work and contribute to the economic development.