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Business Reporter
WORKERS and management in the clearing and forwarding industry should possess a minimum academic qualification of a diploma starting next year to enhance professionalism in the sector.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa announced the new policy when he presented the 2017 national budget last week.
He said lack of professionalism was as a result of the fact that most officers involved were not qualified hence Government’s decision to come up with a minimum qualification.
“There is a need to ensure that those in the clearing and forwarding industry have the requisite qualifications so that professionalism is guaranteed. Managers and employees of aspiring clearing agents should possess at least a diploma from a recognised academic institution or professional body,” he said.
Minister Chinamasa said clearing agents that are already operating should, however, ensure that their managers and employees work towards meeting the minimum qualifications in the coming three years.
Comment could not be obtained from the Shipping and Forwarding Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Joseph Musariri.
Minister Chinamasa said the Customs and Excise legislation provides that any person wishing to be licensed as a clearing agent should be of good reputation and what this means is that the individual should not have been convicted of contravening the Customs and Excise legislation within a period of five years prior to application for licensing, among others.
He said in order to qualify for registration as a clearing agent, every director, manager, partner and employee of the clearing agent should be knowledgeable about customs law and procedures.
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