Coordinated border system key to boosting trade—ministry

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has expressed optimism to achieve operational efficiency at Mwanza One-Stop Border Post following successful implementation of the Coordinated Border Management system.

The ministry’s deputy director of investment Diamond Chikhasu said this on Monday after a tour of the border to appreciate the implementation of the system.

He said through the system, government agencies will operate in a well-coordinated manner to avoid duplication of work and unnecessary delays.

Said Chikhasu: “We are trying to bring all government agencies together so that they operate as a unit to ensure flexibility and efficiency as we are preparing for the operationalisation of the one-stop border post at Mwanza Border.

“Among others, we are targeting revenue, security and proper coordination to ensure we utilise the sound economic activity at this particular border.”

He said some six government agencies, namely the Department Immigration of Citizenship Services, Malawi Revenue Authority, Malawi Police Service, Malawi Bureau of Standards and ministries of Agriculture and Health have been allocated offices in the new one-stop border post building on Malawi’s side.

Chikhasu said construction works on the Mozambique side are ongoing and the project is expected to be completed in one year.

Joint Border Operation Committee chairperson Maureen Ntambalika said the coordination has brought efficiency in operations at the border.

She said: “Since the launch of the Coordinated Border Management in 2023, we have created a conducive environment for government agencies to work together at the border.

“At the moment, we are doing this in readiness for the opening of the one-stop border post probably in mid-2025.”

Meanwhile, Ministry of Trade and Industry has said the one-stop border post roll out awaits completion of construction on the Mozambican side. Construction on the Malawi side ended in 2023.

The project is being funded by the World Bank with support from Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project.