By JUDITH NAMUTOWE-
THE Zambian Government is in discussions with Malawi, Namibia and Mozambique for the establishment of new corridors to enhance trade.
Important trade corridors targeted for the establishment of One Stop are Malawi’s Mwami, Chanida in Mozambique and Namibia’s Katima Mulilo border posts.
Commerce Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Mushuma Mulenga said the implementation of One Stop Border Posts with neighbouring countries would reduce the cost of doing business and enhance cross border trade. Mr Mulenga was speaking during the official opening of the Media Training workshop in Lusaka yesterday.
“Currently we share One Stop Border Posts with Zimbabwe, Tanzania and the newly launched Kazungula One Stop Border Post with Botswana,” Mr Mulenga said.
He said activities highlighted were meant to reduce the cost of doing business in Zambia and enhance trade.Mr Mulenga said the Government placed great emphasis on these reforms targeting reduction of the cost of doing business to create an enabling environment for private sector investment in the country which would
enhance profitability for companies and ease the cost of doing business in Zambia.
“As you may be aware, the Governments’ Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) is centered on private sector driven growth and economic diversification. So, these reforms are contributing to the Government’s intention of economic recovery centered on the private sector,” Mr Mulenga said.
The Permanent secretary also noted that the awareness programmes conducted by the ministry had not been sufficient to enhance knowledge on the benefits of the World Trade Organisation Trade Facilitation Agreement to the public.
It was against this background that the Government in collaboration with the World Bank Group was privileged to engage the media which was a key stakeholder in disseminating information on the implementation of WTO TFA provisions to respond to the challenge.
“It is my expectation that the media sensitisation workshop will be beneficial to you all to enable you to understand the objectives of the WTO TFA in promoting trade.
Further, I wish to take this opportunity to invite you to come on board as a key stakeholder and enhance public awareness on the implementation of the trade facilitation reforms being undertaken to the public,” Mr Mulenga said.
Internationl Finance Corportaion (IFC) country representative for Zambia and Malawi, Madalo Minofu said the corporation stood ready to continue supporting the Government in keeping with the WTO TFA mandate
encouraging Cooperating Partners to provide capacity building and technical assistance to developing countries for the effective implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.
