Marythar Kambinda
KATIMA MULILO – A bilateral agreement for the establishment of a one-stop border post to facilitate trade and promote economic growth between Namibia and Zambia was signed last Friday.
The agreement was signed by Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu and Zambia’s minister of commerce, trade and industry Chipoka Mulenga.
Sampofu highlighted the importance of the agreement, which has been in the pipeline since April 2019, was a testament to the strong relations between the two countries.
He added that the signing of the agreement would facilitate smoother and more efficient cross-border trade but also bolster security and economic cooperation in the region.
Mulenga reiterated Sampofu’s statement and added that the agreement would help mitigate the illegal crossing of borders by citizens from both countries which is not saf. If both countries ensure that their citizens cross the borders in a structured way, they will continue to realise that it is good for both countries.
“The signing of this agreement will cement relations between the two countries for years to come and will culminate in an important one-stop border post (OSBP) between the countries,” said Mulenga.
The minister added that the agreement between position the two neighbouring countries as leaders in intra-Africa trade on the continent.
The OSBP at Katima Mulilo Border Post will be the second in the country as the construction of the OSBP at the Trans-Kalahari/Mamuno Border Post is at an advanced stage, and is expected to commence soon.
*Marythar Kambinda works for MICT Zambezi.