Newsletter No. 9 (April 2026):

Featured:
A Look Back at the 2nd Edition of the Cross-Border Cybersecurity Tour: Europe Under Pressure

On March 17, the WTC Metz-Saarbrücken brought together experts, decision-makers, and innovators in Saarbrücken for the second edition ofthe Cross-Border Cybersecurity Tour. With the central theme “Europe Under Pressure,” the event highlighted cybersecurity as a strategic pillar of European digital sovereignty.

The program featured presentations by leading figures, including the Bundesamt für Sicherheit und Informationstechnik (German Federal Office for Information Security), the research center CISPA Helmholtz Center for Security, as well as leaders in the field such asUEM (Metz Electricity Plant). The discussions addressed critical issues such as the protection of critical infrastructure and data protection with the Data Center Advanced Mediomatrix, and the automation of compliance through innovations presented by Dr. Kilian Schmidt of KERTOS, as well as Alexander Busse from Cybervize.

The event also served as a showcase for the solutions of tomorrow, thanks to the startups from Saarland and Luxembourg that were present at the end of the day, before concluding with a networking dinner atHalle 4,a third place dedicated to innovation.

This cross-border initiative has once again proven its effectiveness in fostering dialogue among researchers, public institutions, and economic stakeholders in our Greater Cross-Border Region, promoting the sharing of expertise and best practices, and creating new business opportunities.

@friends-event.de

The WTC Metz-Saarbrücken is pleased to welcome La French Tech Est, a collective of startups from the Grand Est region, as one of its new partners. Based in Metz with branches in Strasbourg and Reims, this association brings together innovation stakeholders from the Grand Est region to propel the local ecosystem onto the international stage. Its mission is to support startups in their growth through practical tools for recruitment, financing, and visibility, while simplifying their administrative procedures. This strategic partnership reinforces our shared commitment to technological dynamism and the appeal of our cross-border region and offers new opportunities for collaboration to all of our members.

A partnership to accelerate local and global synergies for the benefit of economic stakeholders.

UpcomingEvents

On April 29 in Forbach, we invite you to explore the “Megatrends”—those global forces, such as the ecological transition and digitalization, that are permanently reshaping our markets. The goal of this event is to combine strategic thinking with operational networking in a collaborative workshop that allows us to compare French and German perspectives. 

On May 28, 2026, join us in Saarbrücken for an exclusive immersion in the heart of Europe’s leading economy. This event will provide you with the strategic keys to successful exporting: advice on setting up operations, an in-depth look at Germany’s economic recovery plan, and meetings with local experts in cross-border business to identify new growth opportunities. You’ll visit innovative sites and network with local startups. To facilitate your interactions, all presentations in German will be accompanied by simultaneous translation into French. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to bring your growth projects across the Rhine to life!

On February 25, we held our informational webinar focused on exploring the German tech market.

WTCA network news

The WTC Metz-Saarbrücken, certified by the "
," is a "Premier Accredited Member"

This is a significant recognition: the World Trade Center Metz-Saarbrücken has officially been awarded the “Premier” designation by the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA). Awarded on December 9, 2025, this distinction represents the highest quality certification within the global network. It recognizes the excellence of our services and our commitment to the most rigorous international standards in business development and corporate support. As a “Premier Accredited Member,” we are strengthening our credibility on the international stage, guaranteeing our members world-class support for their cross-border and global projects.

Patricia Moinard Elected to the Board
of the World Trade Centers Association

The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) announced the results of the 2025 elections for its Board of Directors in late 2025. We are pleased to announce the election of Patricia Moinard, representative of WTC Metz-Saarbrücken, as Director for the Europe region. Regarding this, she stated: “It is a great honor to be elected to the WTCA Board. I am fully committed to representing our Franco-German WTC Metz-Saarbrücken, the Euro-metropolises of Metz and Saarbrücken, my country France, and Europe.” Her presence on this global body will help promote our cross-border initiatives and strengthen ties with international partners. Congratulations to Patricia Moinard on this commitment to serving our network!

French WTC Network Event

W E-days Online Dating

In short:

• • 1st edition
  • 62 participating companies
  • 66 meetings held

For the very first time, the eight Business Clubs of the French World Trade Centers (Paris, Lille, Rennes, Brest, Poitiers, Nantes, Marseille, and Metz-Saarbrücken) jointly organized theW E-days, a unique business event. OnMarch 19 and 20, 2026, this 100% digital event enabled members of these WTCs to connect via the Matchmaking Studio™ platform during targeted 30-minute video meetings. The goal was to enable executives to expand their national networks, identify new partners, and share best professional practices within a structured framework.

A Look Back at the 5th Economic Forum of the Grand Est Foreign Trade Advisors, Held on March 31, 2026

The Grand Est Foreign Trade Advisors and their Lorraine Committee, a partner of the WTC Metz-Saarbrücken, organized on March 31, 2026, at the headquarters of the international Saint-Gobain PAM Group in Pont-à-Mousson, in cooperation with the Consulate General of Morocco in Strasbourg, a France–Morocco Economic Forum focused on action, co-development, and complementarity. The event brought together more than 250 French and Moroccan economic and institutional stakeholders united by a common goal: to turn exchanges into concrete projects.

Throughout the presentations and panel discussions, several strong convictions emerged:

• the strength of the Franco-Moroccan partnership; 
• the growing complementarity between the two countries' economic ecosystems; 
• Morocco's strategic role as a hub for Africa; 
• the importance of future-oriented sectors, particularly those related to water, industry, innovation, and transitions. 

Congratulations to the organizers, speakers, participants, partners, and institutions who worked together to ensure the high quality of the discussions and the collective energy that carried us through the entire day.

Thank you to Her Excellency Lalla Soumia Bouhamidi, Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Strasbourg and in charge of relations with the Council of Europe, as well as to Bruno Roth for their commitment to sustainable and ambitious economic cooperation!

This forum marks an important milestone and, above all, the beginning of a series of initiatives we will build together.