Introduction

Mr Jean GUILL Former Chairman of the Board of ATTF General Director of CSSF

The Agency was set up specifically to meet requests for training and consulting emanating from countries that have a proven need for the acquisition of knowledge in financial matters. Over ten years, the Agency’s staff and experts have enthusiastically developed an impressive catalogue of programs on offer. Their main guiding principle is a profound respect for the values and aims of the Agency’s partner countries. ATTF does not give lessons, it listens first and provides support where required. Many are the participants in its courses and seminars who can testify to the usefulness of its teachings for their professional life.

As an international financial centre of long standing and high reputation, Luxembourg has indeed much to contribute towards satisfying the worldwide demand for the know-how required to build and run the financial infrastructures required by a modern economy.

The ongoing crisis, which started in a limited area of the mortgage credit sector and quickly engulfed the global economy, has exacerbated the need for education in financial matters at all levels, from the sophisticated professional to the normal customer.

The unique combination of Luxembourg’s private and public sectors among its shareholders gives ATTF the opportunity to draw on a large number of committed experts in a broad array of financial activities. It is therefore in the enviable position to fully exploit synergies with the education facilities of the Luxembourg University with its School of Finance as well as of the Chamber of Commerce, thus offering highly rated diplomas. The participation of the Luxembourg Government, which ranks among the very top providers of public development aid, makes it possible for ATTF to address the needs of developing or emerging economies at little or no cost to the beneficiaries.

To spruce itself up for its 10th anniversary, ATTF has commissioned a thorough evaluation of its activities. A main conclusion of the auditors’ work was the recommendation to build on the Agency’s major strength: its empathy with its beneficiaries in its partner countries.

The shareholders, the board, the staff and the experts of ATTF are all committed to follow that recommendation. The Agency’s strategy will more than ever be to identify its partners’ needs, to adapt and streamline its offer in accordance with those needs, to ensure quality control of its products at all levels.

Jean GUILL
Former Chairman of the Board of ATTF
General Director of CSSF