ROUND TABLE: Opening A Business Bank Account In Luxembourg - Understanding The Obstacles

Since 2016 Touchpoints has been supporting migrant entrepreneurs in Luxembourg. One challenge has proven to be widespread among project holders:the difficulty to access professional banking services for their project. Many entrepreneurs report difficulties to open a bank account for their professional activity and sometimes have to turn to less secure online banking providers just to be able to accept payments from their clients.

At this round table, we'll discuss how migrant entrepreneurs can effectively prepare their application to a bank and document their project and transactions. We try to understand why it is so difficult for entrepreneurs in Luxembourg, and migrant/refugee entrepreneurs in particular, to access basic banking services like a current account, web banking and card payments. We will also discuss what can be done about it and how entrepreneurs can improve their application. Though access to bank loans will NOT be a main topic at this event, questions can be asked by the audience.

The event is directed towards recent immigrants to Luxembourg (particularly refugees, asylum  seekers and third country nationals) who want to start a business in Luxembourg and face particular challenges in accessing basic banking services for their businesses.

The Event is in ENGLISH. We provide direct translation in FRENCH, ARABIC, FARSI and TIGRINYA. There will be time to ask questions.

We are very happy to confirm our guests for the round table:

• Jeremy OGE- AML/CFT Department at theMinistry of Justice|LinkedIn Profile
• Catherine BOURIN- Member of the Management Board of the Luxembourg Bankers' Association (ABBL) |LinkedIn Profile
• Claude Hansen- Chief of the Commercial Department atPOST Luxembourg|LinkedIn Profile
• Catherine WURTH- Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) atBGL BNP Paribas|LinkedIn Profile
• Uyi NOSA ODIA- Entrepreneur & Coach forTouch pointsvzw |LinkedIn Profile
• [Testimonies]

Location is kindly provided by our partner theLuxembourg Chamber of Crafts:Chambers of Trades

PROGRAM:

• 4.00 p.m. - Introductions by Mr.Tom Wirion, Director of theChamber of Crafts
• 4.20 pm - Presentations by the panelists
• 5.00 pm - First round of questions by the moderator (Fabienne Collingfrom Touchpoints)
• 5.20 pm - Questions from the audience
• 6.00 pm - Closing remarks

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: To access the event you must provide a COVIDCHECK CERTIFICATE. Please come early (from 3.00 pm) to make sure there is no delay in scanning. Closest car park: Auchan (paid). Closest bus stop: Chamber of Trades.

Also present at the event with a stand and open for questions will be our partners from:

• MICROLUX- Microcredit & coaching for entrepreneurs (https://microlux.lu/)
• EVEREST by Snapswap- Banking made easy (https://everestcard.com/)

You can send your questions/testimonies beforehand at info@touchpoints.lu