New transit laws help boost Mozambican volumes

In terms of new legislation, a wide range of commodities has been exempted from the need for a guarantee during transit through Mozambique to the ports. The commodities include coal, copper, sulphur, ferrochrome, granite, magnetite, manganese and gold dust, as well as lead, iron, pyrite, tungsten, uranium and vanadium ore. “This new legislation is not only a benefit for our customers from South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia, but it will also allow us to attract more business,” says Johann Botha, commercial director of the Maputo Port Development Company. “Almost 80% of the cargo handled in the Port of Maputo is bulk mineral cargo, and there is a clear growth tendency, so the fact that this cargo is now bond-exempted is good news for everyone,” he said. “The approval of this legislation demonstrates the commitment of our stakeholders to developing the region.” For other goods, the legislation will help speed up transit and reduce overall costs, as the existing regulations were drawn up some time ago. The simplified regulations are also designed to harmonise trade with Mozambique’s partners, and to meet the standards and recommendations of the World Customs Organisation. CAPTION Johann Botha … ‘helping reduce overall costs.’