Angola beefs up border post facilities

Leonard Neill CUSTOMS HAS upgraded inspection facilities at the Namibia-Angola border to comply with an Angolan government requirement that all cargo entering the country be accompanied by an authorised certificate of inspection. It applies to consignments travelling by sea, air or road. The regulations were promulgated two years ago but are now being enforced at all points of entry into the country. “The Angolan government is going all out to introduce First World standards,” says Oshikango Initiative’s Mark Cioccolanti, who developed the first warehouse on the Namibian side of the border. “The Angolans have spent US$1.8 million rebuilding facilities on their side and there is still more to come, with new sterile customs areas on the planning boards. Activity in the region is increasing daily, with more than 100 vehicles a day travelling north to meet the demands of a nation in a rebuilding process. “We have had numerous enquiries from South African companies about border efficiency. It seems many of them are unhappy with the slow movement of cargo by sea through Luanda and are now looking more to road transport. “We have been able to assure them that customs operations have been beefed up here on both sides, and the vehicle flow is excellent.” The Angolan Ministry of Finance has appointed Bureau Veritas to handle inspections, which can be carried out either at its border post facility or at the point of origin of the goods. “We are able to inspect consignments anywhere in South Africa and certify them, which is acceptable to the Angolan authorities,” says Virginie Robilan of Bureau Veritas, which has also sub-contracted Global Inspections to assist with inspections at the border.