Brussels, 29/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 29 June, European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas responsible for transport met top-level representatives of the European transport and logistics sector for the launch meeting of the high level group on logistics (HLGL), set up to provide strategic advice on the future transport policy measures with an impact on logistics.
The HLGL met for the first time in Brussels to identify synergies between the Commission and the logistics industry and to build a sound business environment for that sector. The group is composed of top-level representatives of logistics service providers, customers of logistics companies, transport operators, ports/terminal operators, academics, IT companies and social partners. Discussion mainly focused on the main bottlenecks that hinder freight logistics and transport. Members of the group also discussed possible solutions that are expected to bring the desired improvements.
The creation of the group was welcomed by its participants who consider it a means of engaging in constructive dialogue with the Commission on the challenges for logistics. The Commission considers it to be a “unique platform to consider actions targeted to enhance further the logistics sector's competitiveness and performance while at the same time contributing to the achievement of the European transport policy objectives”. Kallas pointed out that “logistics is a crucial business for the EU, providing 11 million jobs in the EU and representing 4.9% of our economy in terms of added value”. (OL/transl.jl)