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REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES. Presentation by Silver OJAKOL Commissioner, E xternal Trade Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES. What we have agreed and being implemented
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REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES Presentation by Silver OJAKOL Commissioner, External Trade Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives
REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES • What we have agreed and being implemented • one-stop-border-posts(OSBP) at Malaba, Busia, Katuna/Gatuna, Mutukula, Elegu/Nimule, Mirama Hill/Kagitumba • 24 hour operations at Mombasa, Malaba, Busia, Katuna/Gatuna • Simplified Trade Regime operations with increased thresh-hold ($2000) at Malaba, Busia, Katuna/Gatuna, Bunagana, Mpondwe, Elegu/Nimule • Border Trade Committees at borders with Rwanda- Mirama Hill/Kagitumba and Katuna/Gatuna.
REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES • What we have agreed and being implemented • Yellow card scheme • Regional Customs and Transit Guarantee (RCTG) • Systems upgrade to Asycuda World but with only the customs window • Standards harmonisation • NTB Committees (regional and national)
REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES • What is being planned • Development of protocols for the use of the central corridor (Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and DRC) • Operationalizing the Regional Payments and Settlement System (REPSS)
REFORMING TRADE FACILITATION IN COMESA MEMBER STATES • Additional areas that require attention • Developing a regional psyche for all operators on the transport corridors (police, immigration, banks, clearing agents) • Improving interstate infrastructure • Develop all embracing electronic single- window • Improving cross- border security • Revamping port operations especially at Mombasa (currently we have a scenario of multiple charges, unpredictable operations hence congestion) • Developing alternative transport corridors • Overcoming integration paranoia – current cause of other modes of protectionism (NTBs) • Developing a robust transit trade regime to respond to the regional dynamics