CZI on trading across borders

Noble Ncube, Business Reporter
THE Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries has called for automation of the country’s port of entries to scale up movement of goods leaving and entering the country and reduce human interface which has been the main source of corruption.

CZI chief economist Mrs Dephine Mazambani said reducing delays and congestion at border posts was a vital step to promote trade with other countries. She said there was also an urgent need to revive transport systems like road and rail for swift movement of products from one place to the other.

“Beitbridge is the busiest border post in the southern region. It leads and connects to the rest of the region. As a result, it plays a vital role in the growth of trade across borders. As means of easing doing of business and actively participating in trade across our borders we have to put Beitbridge Border Post as a priority.

“The congestion at Beitbridge border post derails ease of doing business. It impedes fast procedures to move products to their destinations. The country’s ports of entry should all be automated especially where goods and products are being transported. This will also help curb corruption,” she said.

Mrs Mazambani said there was a need to upgrade the Beitbridge-Chirundu highway to facilitate transportation of products on the country’s busiest road. She said the rail network play a pivotal role in enhancing ease of doing business and trading across borders.

“Problematic factors when importing include complex import procedures, cost or delays caused by domestic transportation, tariff barriers, Zimra system inefficiency, and corruption at borders. Problematic factors when exporting include access to trade finance, identifying potential markets and buyers, access to imported inputs at competitive prices, burdensome procedures at foreign borders and difficulties in meeting customer requirements,” she said.