The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a small country, landlocked by Belgium, France and Germany. Luxembourg's prosperity was formerly based on steel manufacturing. With the decline of that industry, Luxembourg diversified and is now best known for its status as a tax haven and banking centre. The economy depends on foreign and trans-border workers for more than 30% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EU members, has suffered from the global economic slump, the country has maintained a fairly strong growth rate and enjoys an extraordinarily high standard of living. In today's competitive world, being able to assess the attractiveness of countries or markets is increasingly important for companies operating internationally. What makes Luxembourg stand apart, is the fact that it manages to combine a number of very different attributes: the economic fundamentals are sound; international rankings are outstanding; the country differs from others through its openness and its diversity; the business environment is exceptional; the economy by far exceeds the size of the country; quality of life and social cohesion make it a special place.