Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema and his Malawi Counterpart Lazarous Chakwera launched the Mwami-Mchinji One Stop Border Post (OSBP), which is a key facility in the growth and enhancement of the two countries’ economies and other member states.
The Mwami-Mchinji OSBP is a vital part of the Nacala transport corridor servicing the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) through the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) has been one of the funders of the Zambia Border Posts Upgrading Project (ZBPUP).
The project, ZBPUP is aimed at helping Zambia and Malawi reduce the number of reported Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), impact skills among border agencies and the private sector through a series of capacity building and sensitization activities on core trade facilitation issues at Mwami-Mchinji OSBP.
And speaking during the official launch of Mwami-Mchinji OSBP, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Zambia and COMESA Jacek Jankowski said the launch symbolised Zambia and Malawi’s commitment to build and strengthen the two countries’ economies by enhancing integration through trade facilitation.
Mr Jankowski further noted that the gesture was an example of how COMESA had been honouring its promises of being the driving force for economic integration in Africa, since its inception.
“This is yet another milestone in our relations based on the joined Africa-EU Strategy Principles of Ownership, Partnership and Solidarity. What we are witnessing [the launch] is the actualisation of COMESA’s regional integration agenda through the concrete steps by Zambia and Malawi to facilitate trade between them and among regional parties.
He was certain that the COMESA trade facilitation programme will play a critical role in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Similarly, COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe said the strengthening of physical and soft infrastructure in the region was key to fostering economic integration.
“The large and small medium scale traders alike will now be able to efficiently clear merchant and immensely reduce transition cost thereby, be able to increase profitability. This will lead to the improvement of the livelihood of thousands of people.” Ms Kapwepwe said.
And Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga added that the OSBP facility was critical in the improvement of import and export procedures, transit requirements, customs and in reducing time spent at the border.
“The removal of incentives that contribute to corrupt practices will contribute to enhanced revenue collection and improve business competitiveness in Zambia,” Mr Mulenga noted.