A model Bill to guide East Africa member states in streamlining freight forwarding industry has been drafted.
A key proposal in the model Bill financed by Japan International Co-operation Agency is creation of competent national authorities in each member State to license customs agents and freight forwarding practitioners.
The proposed law intends to create a competent authority that will regulate the sector and ensure professionalism in member States.
FACE CHALLENGES
The industry has been facing challenges related to service delivery, professionalism and self-regulation compounded by the implementation of the Single Customs Territory that expanded the scope of operations for customs, clearing and freight forwarding agents in the East African region.
“Several meetings recommended self-regulation and accreditation of the industry as the most suitable option.
Development of the model Bill was considered important in order to guarantee uniformity and harmony of the resultant national laws given that clearing agents and freight forwarders operate across borders,” said John Mathenge, the executive director of the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations.
Mr Mathenge was speaking in Mombasa during a workshop for East African stakeholders to validate the model Bill.
Currently, competent authorities in East African Community that license customs agents and freight forwarding practitioners are customs departments of the revenue authorities in the region.
Although this role is provided for in the East Africa Community Customs Management Act, the role of the freight forwarders and custom agents have not been properly provided for.
“There are provisions for licensing but none on professional management of the industry,” Creck Buyonge, a custom specialist and the lead consultant said.
Source: Standard Media

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.