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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has set plans in motion to launch the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window next month to speed clearance of legitimate traffic and trade facilitation at the country’s ports of entry by having all border clearance processes from several agencies done at one time at a “single window”.
The main objective of the ZESW is to improve trade facilitation and to achieve efficiency to boost revenue collection, enforcement of trade laws, social protection, and providing business intelligence to the government.
In a statement, Zimra said as the lead agency they have the role to ensure the coordination and harmonisation of clearance processes at the country’s ports of entry.
Currently there are 22 border agencies at major ports authorities including Beitbridge whose operations will be harmonised and streamlined under the ZESW.
“The project is in its second year and its first stage of implementation is set to be launched by the end of September 2023,” said Zimra in the statement.
“The first phase saw an intensive mapping exercise and integration of all key processes on the Single Window platform. The major beneficiaries of the single window initiative will be importers and exporters, shipping and freight forwarders, the transport sector, and customs administration”.
Government departments and agencies, whose mandate includes the movement of food, drugs, health, agricultural-related products, and environment are also set to enjoy the fruits of the ZESW facility.
Under the new order clients and stakeholders will not be moving from one agency to another as all the regulatory and transitory services, processes and payments will now be done online through a single platform, thus faster, better, and transparent.
According to Zimra, the major benefits of the Single Window will be compliance among agencies, more efficient and productive use of resources, enhanced collection of fees, duties, and penalties.
“In addition, these will be streamlined and automated compliance to transitory, legislative, and regulatory requirements, and most importantly predictability, convenience, and efficiency to all actors in cross border trade,” said the revenue collector.
“Other benefits include enhanced risk analysis, improved security, reductions in corruption and illegal trade activities, enhanced transparency, ease of access to trade statistics, and accountability.
The ZESW rides on a robust digital platform and Zimra is already activating its system in readiness for the integration and data processing from other agencies”.
Zimbabwe through major ports including Beitbridge, Chirundu, Victoria Falls and Forbes provides the gateway to Africa through the north and south corridor, hence efficient trade facilitation at the country’s ports of entry is key for the region’s rapid economic growth.
At Beitbridge, the government has already invested US$300 million in partnership with the Zimborders Consortium to transform the port of entry and introduced biometrics and automation systems to curb rent seeking activities and enhance a speedy flow of cargo and human traffic.
Traffic has also been separated into three terminals for freight, buses, and light motor vehicles and pedestrians to ensure operations are streamlined so that border users get excellent customised services.
The ZESW initiative is also in sync with global trends on customs reforms and best practices, as well as a National Development Strategy 1 priority on trade facilitation.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is reportedly supporting the ZESW project as part of the harmonisation of the customs service delivery initiative. Other countries that have successfully implemented the single window concept include Jamaica, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
Online Reporter