Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo
Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe has commended the Government’s initiatives in developing key infrastructure, an integral element of efficient logistics that drive trade and promote economic growth.
SFAAZ is a voluntary association of shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs clearing agents, bonded warehouse operators and in-house clearing importers and exporters.
In an interview during the ongoing SFAAZ 19th Annual Conference in Bulawayo, SFAAZ chairman Mr Assan Mtembo said infrastructure development played a pivotal role in the logistics industry.
He said the ongoing development of key infrastructure in Zimbabwe was important for enhancing trade and connecting the country with other nations in the Southern part of Africa.
“In terms of infrastructure development, which plays a pivotal role in terms of logistical development, we have seen the development of the Harare-Beitbridge route, which has covered about 402 kilometres and we are only left with 87 kilometers,” said Mr Mtembo.
“The plans, in terms of all border post development and also the coming in of Harare-Nyamapanda route (upgrade), the Harare-Chirundu route and the revamp and development of Forbes Border post, which has recently seen an increase in terms of traffic movement, is a welcome development.
“The coming in of the Trabablas Interchange, which link the North-South Corridor, which is very important for the movement of traffic, the congestion we have been experiencing has disappeared and the development of Harare Drive to link Westgate is also a welcome development, which we are looking forward to seeing.”
Mr Mtembo said in terms of aviation, they were deliberating on how best the air cargo can be increased within the shortest period.
Running under the theme: “From Highways to Skyways: Accelerating Zimbabwe’s Trade with Seamless Transport and Logistics”, SFAAZ’s annual conference brought together key players in cargo logistics, including related line ministries, the aviation sector, clearing agencies and handling services providers, amongst others.
Officiating at the event, Transport and Infrastructure Development Deputy Minister Joshua Sacco said the ministry acknowledged the role SFAAZ plays in transport, trade and logistics, saying the grouping was an important partner in the country’s economic development.
He said the transport and infrastructure pillar was one of the priority areas in the National Development Strategy (NDS 1), focusing on improving the country’s transport networks and infrastructure systems.
As a ministry, Deputy Minister Sacco said they had made significant strides towards improving the country’s transport networks and infrastructure systems, to ensure they play a catalytic role in national development.
“As we go about executing our mandate, we do not underestimate the role which SFAAZ, other key stakeholders and partners in development play in our quest to achieve the ministry’s vision of becoming a regional hub for world-class transport networks, logistics and services by the year 2030,” said Deputy Minister Sacco.
“Given the centrality of our location as Zimbabwe, we aim to make the country a transport transit hub for countries in East and Central Africa like Zambia and DRC amongst others.
“In spite of the persistent sanctions, which were imposed on Zimbabwe by the western countries, our ministry, guided by the principle “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” has been implementing innovative policies and strategies in order to deliver on major projects targeted at modernising our road, air transport and rail infrastructure and systems.”
Some of the notable achievements on infrastructure development as mentioned by Deputy Minister Sacco, include the Harare-Beitbridge highway, Harare-Chirundu road, the Trabablas Interchange and the Harare-Nyamapanda Road and Border Post, amongst others.
He also spoke about the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road upgrades, saying that the 435km road stretch would be rehabilitated by local contractors and was expected to be completed in a record 10-month timeline.
Other major infrastructure developments include the expansion and modernisation of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and the Joshua Nkomo International Airport, which are expected to boost annual capacity up to 9 million passengers per annum.
The Government is also making concerted efforts to recapitalise the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) through the Mutapa Investment Fund, to reboot its fortunes and ensure efficient bulk movement of goods across the country and beyond.
For short-term recapitalisation, the Government is working with NRZ to secure a USD$100 million loan facility from AfreximBank for rolling stock and track rehabilitation. This will enable NRZ to procure 10 locomotives and 320 wagons. Meanwhile, SFAAZ held its annual conference to discuss multimodal solutions that support the use of all forms of transport for the transportation of imports and exports.
SFAAZ chief executive officer Mr Wellingtone Dube said the development of all modes of transport would promote seamless trade.
“Air Zimbabwe is here, another critical component in the sector, speaking on how we can fully utilise our skyways to facilitate imports and exports so that we grow our economy as a nation,” said Mr Dube.
In his presentation, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson Mr Michael Reza said SFAAZ plays a critical role in promoting trade, handling about 95 percent of Zimbabwe’s commercial imports and exports.
He said the association played a crucial role in fiscal revenue collection, hence the need to uphold integrity.
Beyond Borders Logistics specialises in sourcing, procurement, customs clearance, as well as air and sea freight services from China and Dubai to Zimbabwe said their membership with SFAAZ has been instrumental in keeping them aligned with regulatory frameworks.
“It has also provided valuable opportunities to network with key stakeholders in the freight forwarding and logistics industry, from whom we continue to gain critical insights and best practices,” said Beyond Borders Logistics representative.
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