While the past has been defined mostly by efforts directed toward the simplification of customs procedures, at present, a significant change, characterized mostly by growing protectionist tendencies, can be observed. As the trade landscape is continuously moving further away from simplifications to protectionism, it becomes increasingly more difficult to ensure a balanced approach. Working together a good cooperation between the public and private sector is therefore paramount.
Today international trade is not only burdened by tariff measures, but also by non-tariff barriers. To resolve this, controls should be pushed away from the border, i.e., when there is no urgent need to intervene at the border, such an intervention should be avoided.
Instead, controls should take place either at the start or the end of the supply chain in cross-border operations. Thus, a system-based approach should be chosen, which takes into account internal processes. Utilizing coordinated border management, for example, through creating a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) in which the data requirements are merged and processed within the government, also remains important.
As I observed before, companies in Europe have huge challenges to recruit and educate employees. With a lot of new systems and legislation, digitalization and Brexit as the main challenges of the industry, the need for trained employees becomes increasingly important. New employees will have to be educated and trained to higher standards than before and with new skills.
Jobs are being transformed too: The digital transformation at work is allowing new work arrangements to emerge, some of which hold the promise of more flexibility, in terms of workplace and working hours, for instance. But younger people also have a different attitude toward their jobs and have different demands from their employers in terms of work/private life balance and training. Therefore, it remains extremely important to attract the younger generations, men and women to the logistics and customs profession.
The reality of today remains that we see a lot of women in logistics but not enough women in leadership positions. In my view, more women in the logistics means more talent, a wider vision, and enhanced innovation. The problem-solving skills of women suits the logistics sector particularly well. Also, having more women in positions that shape policy and drive change in our societies will better address our needs.