By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA  –

in Nakonde
ZAMBIA and Tanzania have agreed to end illegal trading activities and to strengthen the security surveillance on the Nakonde –Tunduma border post.
This was agreed during the sixth joint meeting of permanent secretaries of Zambia and Tanzania which was convened to resolve the Nakonde-Tunduma border challenges in Nakonde.
The officials from the two countries resolved to curb revenue collection leakages, eliminate smuggling and under-invoicing of taxable imports as well as human trafficking at Nakonde –Tunduma border.
According to the agreed minutes, Zambia indicated that there were increased illegal trading activities which include illegal money changing and counterfeiting activities going on at the border.
It further observed that smuggling and human trafficking is also on the increase due to the porousness of the border.
Despite the situation, Zambia indicated that the situation was not alarming and was being dealt with firmly by strengthening the joint operations and improving the information sharing mechanism.
To end illegal changing of money at the border, the two Governments agreed to sensitise both the cross border traders as users of the facilities and the money changers as providers.
According to the agreed minutes, Zambia stated that the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) agreement and the list of products to be traded between the two countries was developed as a solution to curb the
illegal trade along the border.
Speaking on behalf of the Zambian Government Muchinga Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe said the two governments have made positive steps in improving trade facilitation, smooth movement of goods and persons across the common borders.
Mr Nundwe signed the agreed minutes on behalf of the Zambian Government.
He said the enactment of an enabling OSBP legislations by the two Governments was one of the success achieved aimed at addressing the border challenges.
And Tanzanian Finance and planning permanent secretary Servacius Likwelile acknowledged the close relationship that exists between the two countries and the efforts made in addressing the challenges being experienced at the Nakonde –Tunduma border.
Dr Likwelile appreciated the commitment of the Government of Zambia to find solutions to the outstanding challenges and noted the importance of the meeting to improving trade facilitation and smoothening the movement of goods and persons across the border.