Clusters In a rapidly changing global market, the competitiveness of a country or region is more and more dependent on effective innovation networks involving both the private and public sectors. Luxembourg has therefore implemented various initiatives in order to strengthen the R&D and innovation potential of companies and to reinforce links with public research organisations and academia. Among them, the Luxembourg Cluster Initiative, launched in 2002 by the government, brings together various clusters and innovation networks established in Luxembourg. Key element of the national R&D and innovation policy, a cluster is a grouping on a geographic area of enterprises and research institutions or other organisations that voluntarily develop collaborations in one or more areas of technology or research. The main objectives of the Luxembourg Cluster Initiative are to: foster communication and the exchange of knowledge and know-how between cluster and innovation network members stimulate the development and implementation of collaborative projects on a national, European and an international level enhance the visibility of the technological excellence and the innovation potential of cluster and innovation network members encourage the uptake of new technologies and the identification of potential business opportunities In October 2013, a new orientation of the national cluster policy to meet future challenges has been announced. The renewed policy is structures around 5 main pillars for enhanced cluster activities: business development internationalisation flagship projects branding prospection and promotion. By 2020, the Luxembourg Cluster Initiative should contribute to the establishment of a total of 300 new businesses and result in the creation of 3,000 new jobs. The Luxembourg Cluster Initiative is animated by Luxinnovation, the National Agency for Innovation and Research. Luxinnovation manages the following clusters: Luxembourg Automotive Components Luxembourg BioHealth Cluster Luxembourg EcoInnovation Cluster Luxembourg ICT Cluster Luxembourg Materials & Production Technologies Cluster Luxembourg Space Cluster Logistics and maritime activities represent sectors in which Luxembourg is positioning itself, putting emphasis particularly on innovative solutions for multimodal transportation and high value-added supply chains. As a result, cluster activities have been set up in these fields as well with the Cluster for Logistics and the Luxembourg Maritime Cluster. The Council for the Economic Development of Constuction (CDEC) launched Neobuild S.A., a cluster for sustainable construction, in 2011. Neobuild focuses on high environmental and energy performance of buildings.
