Julia Kamarenga
The Trans-Kalahari and Mamuno ports of entry will now be operating 24-hours every day.
The initiative comes as a fulfilment of the directive by both the Namibian and Botswana presidents that the two countries facilitate the implementation of the agreement on the 24-hour operation issued at a binational commission meeting in September 2022.
The countries on Saturday launched the 24-hour operation at Trans-Kalahari/Mamuno border posts, which is expected to boost trade between the neighbours.
An estimated N$15 billion worth of import/export transactions are processed annually at Mamuno border post and 8 800 commercial trucks carrying cargo across Mamuno-Trans Kalahari border post are facilitated on average monthly basis.
Speaking at the launch event, Nambia’s Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Albert Kawana, highlighted the benefits of the new policy for the business community, stating that the new policy will eliminate the need for truckers to sleep at the border posts, ensuring goods and services are delivered on time to consumers.
The Trans-Kalahari Corridor is a crucial route for trade between the two countries, and the launch of the 24-hour operation is expected to increase volumes passing through the corridor, Kawana said, calling for better coordination among stakeholders involved in the operation of the border posts.
Kawana emphasised the need for a seamless operation, saying that trucks should be cleared speedily as soon as they arrive regardless of the time they arrive. He encouraged the private sector to invest in the latest logistics technology along the corridor.
In her remarks, the Botswana minister of labour and Home Affairs Anna Maria Mokgethi said, “our countries are part of a global village that is developing and implementing measures to address barriers that affect cross-border movement of goods and services.”
Mokgethi further said promoting regional economic integration is a process where barriers to trade are progressively eliminated. For our citizens and businesses, trade facilitation promotes transparency and cuts red tape, regional integration is a dynamic process where many of the challenges are tackled step by step and this requires commitment by all institutions and stakeholders.
Botswana’s minister of finance Peggy Serame said, “the launch could not have come at any opportune time when Botswana and Namibia have ratified the AfCFTA and are ready to reap the benefits of this agreement.
The 24-hour operation of Mamuno-Trans Kalahari border posts is aligned to the agreement signed by Botswana, Namibia and South Africa on the development and management of the Trans Kalahari Corridor, along which the border is located, a gateway to and from international markets. As such, the 24-hour operation will give the two countries a competitive advantage.”
She said this corridor serves as a gateway to and from international markets, therefore, such initiatives like the 24-hour operation of the border posts will give it a competitive advantage and make it a corridor of choice in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
In February, the two countries signed an agreement allowing the nationals of the two countries to use national identity cards for cross-border travel between the two countries.
In pursuit of providing effective and efficient services, and to ease congestion at offices, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security also launched an online application site for passports, work permits or work visas for a period of up to six months to foreign
nationals.
Botswana’s minister of finance also revealed that plans are under way for a one-stop border post at the same port of entry in the near future.
-Additional reporting Nampa/Xinhua