Turn Beitbridge into one-stop border post: AfDB boss

post into a one-stop border post.
Beitbridge links Zimbabwe to South Africa, the country’s biggest trading partner, and the overseas market through Durban.
Beitbridge is also the port of entry for goods destined for Malawi, Zambia and the DRC.
In a paper read on his behalf by AfDB representative Mr Dimoni Katibire at the International Business Con­ference in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Dr Ncube said making Beitbridge a one-border post would facilitate cross-border trade.
About 63 percent of Zimbabwe’s exports find their way into South Africa and about 80 percent of Zim­babwe’s imports are from the same country.
“Zimbabwe can enhance trade if the two countries can have a one-stop border post at Beitbridge because it is the busiest in to the country,” said Dr Ncube.
During peak periods the border clears about 12 000 cargo carriers and about four million people.
Dr Ncube said exports across the region increased from US$12 billion in 2000 to about US$36 billion in 2008 and future growth hinged on simplifying and har­monising of trade policies in the region.
Processes at border posts, mainly Beitbridge, are characterised by numerous inspections.
The call comes at a time when Zimbabwe is working on improving conditions at its border posts in a project being overseen by the Ministry of Regional Integration and International Co-operation.
The process will result in the revamping of all border posts to increase efficiency. Recently Chirundu Border Post was converted to a one-stop border post, increas­ing trade in the region linking Zimbabwe and                    Zambia.
Following the adoption of the one-stop border post, traffic that used to take between two and three days to clear, is now cleared in three to four hours.
Work is also in progress to harmonise border opera­tions to cater for tourists and cargo which uses the Vic­toria Falls Border Post. The border post is improving in terms of various technologies.
Dr Ncube said Government had to improve the country’s infrastructure to enhance trade and increase efficiency at and beyond the border.
He added that countries in the region should work together to harmonise trade regulations within the main trade corridors.
“Beitbridge has the potential to unlock trade in Zim­babwe and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic revival,” said Dr Ncube.
Zimbabwe’s exports are expected to increase from 20 to 30 percent by 2015, according to the Mid-Term Pol­icy that seeks to grow the country’s GDP by 7,1 percent by that period.
Export earnings are also expected to grow 20 percent from US$4 billion to US$11 billion by 2016.
Government has adopted two policies — the Indus­trial Development Policy and the National Trade Policy — to enhance trade between Zimbabwe and other trading blocs across the globe.