Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
THE Cuchamano/Nyamapanda border post between Zimbabwe and Mozambique is clearing an average of 80 trucks a day, with extended operating hours helping to ease congestion and improve cargo movement along the strategic Beira and North-South corridors.
The development comes as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) steps up efforts to improve border efficiency and reduce the time and costs associated with moving goods across the region.
In an update, the SADC Secretariat said it conducted an assessment at the border post from September 21 to 25, focusing on border management, transit procedures, information sharing and progress towards coordinated border management and the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) initiative.
“The recent assessment established that the Cuchamano/Nyamapanda border post is currently operating every day, open from 6.00 to 20.00hrs.
“This improvement not only accelerates the clearance of goods but also alleviates congestion at the border, currently handling an impressive average of 80 trucks per day,” the SADC Secretariat said.
The mission was led by Senior Programme Officer-Customs in the Directorate of Finance, Investment and Customs, Alcides Monteiro.
“The border assessment mission has been conducted at Cuchamano/Nyamapanda border post to assess the effectiveness of border management and trade facilitation measures, with particular attention, among others, to operating hours, transit procedures, Coordinated Border Management (CBM) concept, progress on the implementation of One Stop Border Post (OSBP) initiative, information exchange between agencies, neighbouring Member States regulatory frameworks, and border infrastructure.”
The border provides a critical trade link between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, while facilitating the movement of goods and people from Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, South Africa and Zambia.
“The Cuchamano/Nyamapanda Border Post between Mozambique and Zimbabwe is a vital junction along the North South Corridor and Beira Corridor and does not only serve Mozambique and Zimbabwe but also facilitates trade and movement of people for Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, South Africa and Zambia among other countries.”
The assessment brought together Customs, Immigration, standards, sanitary and phytosanitary services, police, port health and road authorities from both countries.
“These advancements align with the broader objectives of the SADC Protocol on Trade and World Trade Organization – Trade Facilitation Agreement, aiming at reducing clearance time, costs, and compliance risk.”
SADC said recommendations from the mission would focus on improving coordination among agencies, streamlining transit procedures, enhancing information exchange and making better use of border infrastructure.
“The recommendations emerging from the mission are expected to contribute to improved coordination among border agencies, streamlined transit procedures, enhanced information exchange, stronger implementation of coordinated border management and better use of border infrastructure and will be submitted to SADC Policy meetings for decisions and guidance.”
