By Staff Writer:
There is hope of improved trading activities between Malawi and its neighbouring countries as the country is set to have a law that is aimed at facilitating cross border trade.
On Tuesday, Minister of Trade Mark Katsonga Phiri presented in Parliament the One-stop Border Control Bill which among others aims at facilitating trade within the country’s border posts.
The Bill, among others, will see activities in all the country’s border posts streamlined for easy clearing of goods and people within the border posts.
Once enacted into law people crossing the borders will not be subjected to rigorous checks in the two neighbouring boarders as one border check will be enough.
Addressing members of the media after presenting the bill in Parliament, the Trade Minster said once enacted the new law will reduce the clearing time for people and goods as well as cut on costs on imported goods into the country.
“The ultimate beneficiary in this bill is the consumer who is the person crossing the border post. All developed countries have already have this bill passed into law but as usual we are working on it now. However it’s never too late in life and I’m happy that we are in the process of passing it into law now,” said Katsonga.
Meanwhile Katsonga says his ministry will look into a proposal by Parliamentarian Yeremiah Chihana who suggested that a certain percentage realised from customs clearing excise should be channelled towards the development of the districts in which the one border posts are housed.
“When you have a house you have to benefit from it and now there are districts that are being burdened by clearing goods entering into Malawi but there is no direct benefit to the districts so I will have to take this proposal to the Ministry of Finance,” said Katsonga.
Government has already finalised the construction of two state of the art one-stop boarder posts in Dedza and Mchinji.
