Customs experts from revenue administrations across Africa are meeting in Harare to discuss modalities of implementing the One Stop Border Post concept on the continent so as to enhance Customs clearances and trade facilitation.
The meeting, which runs from 14 to 16 November, is a precursor to the 8^th Ordinary Meeting of the African Union Sub-Committee of Directors General of Customs which will run from 17 to 18 November under the theme, “From Barriers to Bridges – Implementing One Stop Border Posts for Improved Trade Facilitation”.
Almost all African countries are represented at this year’s event, which will see Zimbabwe assuming the Chairmanship of the African Union Sub-Committee of Directors General of Customs.
Speaking while officially opening the event at a local hotel, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) Acting Commissioner General, Mr Happias Kuzvinzwa, applauded the One Stop Border Post concept as a sure way to improve on trade facilitation within the African continent.
“One of the many ways to achieve the cognitive level of cooperation to improve on trade facilitation is the implementation of the One Stop Border Posts, which has the potential to improve the smooth flow of traffic at crossing points, as well as cutting down on the costs associated with the moving of goods across the borders,” said Mr Kuzvinzwa.
He applauded the critical role being played by the Customs Technical Working Groups saying, this will help address issues in the Trade Facilitation Cluster of the Action Plan on Boosting Intra-African Trade.
The Action Plan on Boosting Intra-African Trade is aimed at deepening Africa’s market integration and using trade to serve more effectively as an instrument for the attainment of rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.
The One Stop Border Post concept is already in practice at the Chirundu One Stop Border crossing between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It was launched in 2009 and has seen traffic going into Zambia being cleared on the Zambian side, while traffic getting into Zimbabwe gets cleared on the Zimbabwean side.
This has had a positive impact by improving on the smooth flow of traffic at Chirundu One Stop Border Post, as well as cutting down on the costs associated with the moving of goods across the border.
The African Union is a grouping of 54 African countries whose main aim is to promote cooperation among the independent nations of Africa.
Source: Zimra

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