Africa-Press – Malawi. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has said it expects the roll out of One Stop Border Posts (OSBP) to cut time wastage at the borders by 70 percent. Principal Secretary for Trade and Industry Christina Zakeyo was speaking in Lilongwe during a media round table meeting on the soon to be operationalised Mchinji—Mwami OSBP.
Zakeyo said the operationalisation of OSBPs is one of the initiatives by the government, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, aimed at enhancing trade facilitation between Malawi and its partners, including Zambia.
According to Zakeyo, the significant reduction in the time spent at the borders would help in promoting exports as it would mean local businesses spending little resources at the borders, thereby making the country’s exports competitive.
She said the OSBP is one of the important components in the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Trade Facilitation that is aimed at overcoming the challenges associated with multiple stops that cross border traders encounter.
According to Zakeyo, to maximise the full benefits of the facility, the country’s private sector needs to up its effort in value addition to take advantage of the improvements at the border to export Malawian products to its trading partners including Zambia, DRC and Zimbabwe.
Commenting on the OSBP Malawi Revenue Authority Deputy Commissioner responsible for Customs, Chimwemwe Kawalewale said efficiency of border operations is a significant contributor to the economy of a country. He said efficiency gains will place Malawi as a key investment destination and thus promote economic competitiveness.
“Further, the presence of government agencies working together in a harmonised manner through simplified processes, use of modern infrastructure and facilities will also increase the level of security and order at our border points.
“This will consequently reduce the time spent at the border and trade turnover will increase significantly,” Kawalewale said.
TradeMark East Africa Malawi Programmes Manager Victor Mponda Banda said the media plays a critical role in educating and disseminating correct information to the business community particularly the exporters.
An OSBP uses harmonized legal and institutional framework, facilities, and associated coordinated procedures and processes that enable goods, people, and vehicles crossing a border to stop only once in the country of entry.
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