Phase 2 Nacala Corridor project launched
Published On April 23, 2015 » 2615 Views» By Davies M.M Chanda » Latest News
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By JULIUS PHIRI? –
ZAMBIA and Malawi have launched phase IV of the Nacala Development Corridor project with a focus to enhance and promote regional integration in Southern African.
Meanwhile, the  African Development Bank (AfDB) commits US4 402 million for various infrastructure developments in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.

. Mukanga

. Mukanga

Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said during the launch at Cross Roads Lodge in Chipata that the opening up of the Nacala Corridor route was an important alternative for the inland importers and exporters with the region and beyond.
Its development would be critical in enhancing the competitiveness of trade and the economies due to the uniqueness of being landlocked.
“The importance of this project cannot be over-emphasised as the Nacala Corridor is one of the important trade corridors Southern Africa,” he said.
Zambia along with Zimbabwe also successfully developed and implemented a One -Stop-Border post at Chirundu border in December 2009 which was the only fully functioning one stop border on African continent.
The benefits to be derived from implementing a one stop border post were immense including expedient movement of goods and persons, reduced delays, congestions and subsequent lowered cost of cross border trade.
Zambia and Malawi have developed appropriate frameworks to trigger the release of finances and to set up monitoring and evaluation mechanism during construction.?Malawian Industry and Trade Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha commended (AfDB for facilitating organisation of memorable event in the history of the two countries.
The one-stop border post was necessary in trade facilitation reform programme being implemented by the Malawi Government with neighbouring countries such as Zambia which was aimed at reducing the number of disruptions and processes associated with cross border?transactions and to ease trade and movement of people.
Mr Mwanamvekha said at regional and multilateral fronts, one stop border post was also one important component of facilitating trade under the recently concluded World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation.
AfDB Malawi resident representative Andrew Mwaba said the bank has committed a total of $402 million for infrastructure developments along the famous Nacala corridor and establishment of two-one- stop border posts in three countries.
Approximately $72 million has been committed towards the establishment of two one-stop -border posts between Malawi and Mozambique and between Malawi and Zambia.
Road Development Agency (RDA) acting chief executive officer Kanyuka Mumba has described the ongoing rehabilitation of the Great East Road from Luangwa Bridge to Mwami border in Eastern Province as cardinal for the promotion of the regional integration.
Malawian Road Development Authority chief executive officer Trevor Hiwa said some road networks have been financed by various corporating partners.

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