‘Customs harmonisation will enhance regional integration’

The harmonisation of cross
border freight within the
Southern African Development
Community (SADC) will not
only boost inter-regional trade
but also increase economic
integration.
According to Francis
Chitsiku, operations controller
for Falcongate Logistics,
harmonisation of cross border
freight should also remain
high on the agenda of both the
public and private sectors in an
effort to address the numerous
challenges faced at border posts.
Frequently using
borderposts such as Beitbridge,
Nyamapanda, Mwanza, Dedza,
Mchinji and Cassacatiza,
Chitsiku has seen improvements
over the past few years but
several challenges remain.
“There are more truck stops
at Nyamapanda for instance
and this has definitely resulted
in less road congestion, but we
still have to address some major
challenges such as the lack of
communication infrastructure
– especially further northwards
where constant electricity
blackouts result in offline
systems.”
He says the harmonisation of
cross border freight is therefore
a major opportunity to improve
operations between countries.
With corporates such as
Spar, Woolworths and Pick n
Pay expanding their operations
in the SADC region, there is
also much opportunity for the
movement of goods.
“Falcongate Logistics is
currently moving into a new
refrigerated service into Malawi
to extend our reach there.”