adminTafadzwa Ndlovu Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe and Zambia will soon start implementing the Sadc Uni-visa to promote tourism and boost economic activity, a senior immigration official said yesterday. Immigration principal director Mr Clemence Masango told a stakeholders’ meeting in Harare that plans to implement the project had advanced.
“We are here for the presentation of a draft proposal by International Business Machines Corporation which will be used to inform key stakeholders of the proposed pilot solution and associated key decisions that will be made and pave the way for discussions that will lead to implementation,” he said.
“There are certain considerations that we need to put in place and look at recommendations that will make this pilot project a success.
“After this meeting we will go back to our respective organisations, sit down and weigh the best options to achieve what we want.”
Mr Masango, the co-ordinator of the pilot project, said a single Sadc visa would considerably improve the flow of visitors to and within the region.
“Tourism players in the region believe that the Uni-visa can facilitate the entry of international and domestic tourists to the region and positively benefit the respective member-states in terms of job creation, financial impact (revenue to the tourism sector and balance of payments improvement), fiscal revenue and growth in national Gross Domestic Product,” he said.
The Sadc Uni-visa is being implemented in partnership with the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa, a body that brings together all 15 Sadc members.
The Uni-visa will enable people to use a single visa to access Zimbabwe and Zambia for 30 days.
It will be issued on arrival and can be accessed by anyone from any country for about US$100.
Online Reporter