Thursday, October 17, 2013

Streamline Customs Administration for SADC, Says Zimbabwe Vice-President Mujuru

Streamline customs admin: VP Mujuru

October 17, 2013
Victoria Falls Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

VICE-PRESIDENT Joice Mujuru yesterday called for a speedy elimination of transport bottlenecks and streamlining of customs administration processes to promote intra-trade in the Sadc region.

In a speech read on her behalf by the Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Dr Obert Mpofu, at the official opening of the Sadc committee of ministers responsible for Transport and Meteorology in Victoria Falls, VP Mujuru said customs and excise formalities at the border posts should be done expeditiously.

She said it was important to create economic space where investors could produce for regional as well as global markets.

“Low intra-Sadc trade currently reflects limited progress towards implementing the Sadc trade protocol and the Sadc protocol on transport, communications and meteorology.

We therefore need to fasttrack the elimination of transport bottlenecks and streamline customs administration processes to promote intra-regional trade,” she said.

“In doing so, we must also focus on dismantling restrictive trade practices that inhibit the region from diversifying its exports.”

VP Mujuru said outcomes of regional integration should aim at promoting trade and tourism through the elimination of non-tariff barriers.

“As we work through the realms of regional integration and corridor management, key issues we need to take note of, and attend to, include harmonisation of regulations associated with common road design and construction standards, harmonisation of road user charges and the adoption of common rules and regulations governing the dimensions and axle loads of vehicles among others,” she said.

VP Mujuru said Spatial Development Initiatives had largely provided the political and economic framework for trade facilitation in the region.

She said they also provided new opportunities for business investment especially in the construction, retail, services, and finance sectors.

“The initiatives are designed to achieve accelerated rehabilitation of the core infrastructure through public-private partnerships, joint ventures and other resource mobilisation tools thereby opening up under-utilised economic opportunities,” said VP Mujuru.

“The Spatial Development Initiative also provides real opportunities for regional economic integration, international competitiveness and broadening of the ownership base in the economy of the corridors. In this respect, the introduction of the Sadc regional development masterplan gave priority to infrastructure projects with a regional inclination thus giving a new meaning to infrastructural development.”

Regarding aviation safety, VP Mujuru said member states should enter into bilateral arrangements in order to rectify safety deficiencies identified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety audits.

“It is pleasing to note that our region has maintained good aviation safety record and I urge all responsible authorities throughout the region to do everything in your capacity to jealously guard that safety record,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr Mpofu reiterated that the urban tolling initiative was going to be implemented soon with the project receiving support from Bulawayo and Harare City Councils among other local authorities.

“No one can stop the inevitable, we are going ahead with the project. No one can stand in the way of this progressive move which is for the common good of all road users,” he said.

Dr Mpofu said there were consultations taking place aimed at perfecting the initiative.

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