‘SADC must implement integrated border management’

SADC member states must work together to implement an integrated border management framework in order to fast-track the free flow of trade in the region, minister of transport, Sibusiso Ndebele, said last week. Speaking at the Cross Border Road Transport Indaba in Johannesburg, Ndebele said the key challenge was achieving this within a reasonable time frame in order to increase the percentage share of SADC trade in the world market. “This will only be possible when member states comply with the decisions agreed under the SADC Protocols and speed up its implementation,” he said. He further pointed out that if SADC planned and implemented all its Transport Master Plan objectives – that include the unblocking of regional corridors effectively – the region’s aspiration to join the rest of the world in economic development would become a reality. “We have much work to do in the SADC region to pave the way for Africa’s Development through transport integration. Transport is necessary to ensure that the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) launched in 2008 and the Customs Union will be successful through addressing delays at border posts and promoting the free movement of goods and services across southern Africa, Zimbabwe-Zambia-Botswana.” With a combined population of some 260 million and a regional market worth over US$430 billion, southern Africa has vast potential for socioeconomic development. “However, to achieve this, the SADC member states need to work towards developing an efficient, seamless and cost-effective cross-border transport network because a thriving economy depends on a reliable transport base at both national and regional levels,” said Ndebele. “With regard to regional integration some of you will be aware that at a Summit in 2007 in Zambia, SADC heads of state and government hinted that the lack of funds was one of the reasons for our transport infrastructure having a backward knock.” He said the leaders had since directed the SADC secretariat to work out a regional Master Plan for Infrastructure Development to coordinate and harmonise all regional infrastructure.