James Hall
MBABANE - Getting goods through border post customs inspections, a regional driver's licence, and progress toward a coordinated Southern Africa road system led discussions of a council of ministers meeting prior to the Consultative Conference of the Southern Africa Development Countries (SADC). The confab was held last week at the Royal Swazi Convention Centre at Ezulwini, Swaziland, and was opened by King Mswati.
(The ministers) noted that Customs Administrators identified the need for compatible computer systems in the region to facilitate the speedy sharing of information and clearance of goods at border posts, said SADC chairperson Leonardo Santos Simao. This will require a substantial amount of resources to upgrade the existing systems, including training of customs and trade personnel, he acknowledged, while emphasising the ministers' commitment to this investment.
As the protocol of trade, which was ratified by member states last month, is implemented, rules of origin and other matters concerning customs and tariffs will be dealt with by a committee appointed by the ministers. The committee must finish its work by next month, so the implementation of the key trade protocol may begin.
Toward the goal of Harmonised Driving Licences in the region, as
called for in a previously ratified protocol covering the transport sector, Zambia and South Africa have started issuing
SADC driving licences to motorists.
Preparations are underway in Mozambique and Lesotho to do the same, while Botswana is drafting enabling legislation.
A report on regional trunk routes was tabled before the ministers indicating that a numbering system has been completed that identifies routes. It is now up to member states to implement the route number system.
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