Tabling of the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) Bill before the National Assembly serves as a testament to the Government of National Unity’s commitment to intensify its work to generate economic growth and combat unemployment, Home Affairs Minister Leon Shreiber has said.
“This Bill is set to create the framework for South Africa to massively boost regional trade and growth.”
Briefing the National Assembly in Parliament, Schreiber said the OSBP Bill would enable the Border Management Authority (BMA) and other stakeholders in the port environment to integrate and coordinate its operations with neighbouring countries through the creation of common control zones.
Schreiber said the Bill would speed up turnaround times at ports of entry by eliminating the need for cargo to be processed twice when crossing an international border.
“For the people of South Africa, this Bill will enable faster, more efficient, more modern and more secure cross-border trade, taking our country one step closer to realising the vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
Schreiber said the Department of Home Affairs was working every day to play its part in driving the type of rational and effective economic reforms that would deliver growth and jobs.
“This includes the implementation of the points-based system for skilled work visas and the Trusted Employer Scheme, which has already significantly boosted access to high end skills.”
Schreiber said the work was now being fast tracked through the implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which was automating application and adjudication processes for tourist visas.
He said studies estimated that even a five percent reduction in border clearance time could increase intra-regional exports by around 10%.
“I am delighted to report that the first 200 ETA applications have already been processed as part of phase 1 for G20 delegates, and that the system is working smoothly. As we open the ETA up to all tourists in phases, we will inject growth into our tourism sector on a scale not seen before.”
The Bill aims to establish OSBPs through international agreements to provide for common control zones in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) of a neighbouring country. It aims to provide for one-stop border processing arrangements to authorise the application of the laws of South Africa and a neighbouring state at the one-stop border post. – SAnews.gov.za
