Ronald Paul on the phasing out of the ‘top sectors’ policy: ‘Logistics isn’t just a sector; logistics is everything’
With the phasing out of the top sectors policy, the policy framework for the Logistics Top Sector will also disappear. However, according to chairman Ronald Paul, this does not mean that the focus on logistics innovation will be lost.
In an interview with Logistiek.nl, he looks back on the results of recent years and discusses the way forward.
The top sectors policy came to an end on 1 January this year. The government has introduced a new industrial policy focusing on six key markets in which it expects to achieve a leading global position. These markets are semiconductors, biotechnology, defence-related applications, digital services, mechanical engineering and innovative chemistry.
How are you going to do that?
‘As before: we’ll be consulting the relevant authorities to identify the key issues for the coming period, and we’ll be asking the business community what challenges they’re currently facing. I expect a number of core themes to remain, such as multimodality. The aim is to shift freight flows from road to rail and inland waterways. There will also continue to be a focus on supply chains and digitalisation. However, we do not yet know in what form we will continue with mobile equipment and construction logistics. In addition, we are still working on a new brand identity.’
New brand identity?
‘The name is changing, but we don’t yet know what it will be. In any case, it will include the words “innovation” and “logistics”. Beyond that, I assume the core structure will remain the same. Connekt will continue to be the organisation responsible for scaling up research and bringing it to the business community. And TKI Dinalog will continue to carry out the truly innovative work.’
