REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES

Presentation bySilver OJAKOL

Commissioner, External TradeMinistry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives

REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES

• What we have agreed and being implemented• one-stop-border-posts(OSBP) at Malaba, Busia,

Katuna/Gatuna, Mutukula, Elegu/Nimule, Mirama Hill/Kagitumba• 24 hour operations at Mombasa, Malaba, Busia,

Katuna/Gatuna• Simplified Trade Regime operations with increased

thresh-hold ($2000) at Malaba, Busia, Katuna/Gatuna, Bunagana, Mpondwe, Elegu/Nimule• Border Trade Committees at borders with Rwanda-

Mirama Hill/Kagitumba and Katuna/Gatuna.

REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES

• What we have agreed and being implemented• Yellow card scheme• Regional Customs and Transit Guarantee (RCTG)• Systems upgrade to Asycuda World but with only the

customs window• Standards harmonisation• NTB Committees (regional and national)

REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES

• What is being planned• Development of protocols for the use of the central

corridor (Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and DRC)• Operationalizing the Regional Payments and Settlement

System (REPSS)

REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES

• Additional areas that require attention• Developing a regional psyche for all operators on the transport

corridors (police, immigration, banks, clearing agents)• Improving interstate infrastructure• Develop all embracing electronic single- window• Improving cross- border security• Revamping port operations especially at Mombasa (currently

we have a scenario of multiple charges, unpredictable operations hence congestion)

• Developing alternative transport corridors• Overcoming integration paranoia – current cause of other

modes of protectionism (NTBs)• Developing a robust transit trade regime to respond to the

regional dynamics