Cross-border traders hail one-stop border post

 Cross-border traders have commended the establishment of one-stop border post initiative, saying it will reduce the waiting time by travellers at the borders.

Meanwhile, Mchinji-Mwami Border Post will be launched towards the end of this year and will be the first to be launched among key border posts in the country.

Ministry of Trade and Industry director of trade Charity Musonzo said the waiting time for travellers crossing the border shall be reduced by 70 percent through the one-stop border initiative.

Speaking to a group of people at Mchinji-Mwami Border, who came to appreciate progress on the structure, she said the initiative will be first of all the key border post to be developed in that fashion.

She said: “Apart from reduced waiting time, cross- border traders will also benefit from the simplified trade regime where they do not pay duty on goods purchased at below $3 000 [about K3.1 million].”

Musonzo urged the authorities to ensure that traders do not use uncharted routes, saying that creates unfair competition for traders who use legal means of clearing their goods.

Common Market for East and Southern Africa trade officer at Mchinji-Mwami Border, Richard Batchi, said that one-stop border post has the potential to discourage traders from using uncharted routes.

“Some traders would resort to using uncharted routes because of delays they experience at the border, but those delays will be a thing of the past,” he said.

Batchi also said the one-stop border post will provide adequate security.

Malawi Revenue Authority station manager at Mchinji-Mwami Border, Tapiwa Mzunga, said that at the border, cross-border traders will only be stopping at the offices in the country of destination.

She said: “All formalities are going to be done in the offices housed at the country of destination of travellers where authorities from both countries are going to be available.”

Cross-border Traders Association president Steven Yohane said one-stop border post will ensure that information is readily available as trade deal officers will be handy to offer services