COMESA has developed a system to integrate the existing instruments into one single sign in order to facilitate trade through smooth movements of goods in the region. The Virtual Trade Facilitation System (CVTFS) is aimed at integrating the COMESA Yellow Card, the Transit Data Transfer Module, the COMESA Carrier License for road freight operators, the COMESA Regional Customs Bond Guarantee System, the COMESA Harmonized Axle Load, and Gross Vehicle Mass Limits which includes the COMESA Certificate of Overload Control and the COMESA Customs Declaration Document. The system will be accessible to customs, freight forwarders, insurance companies, banks, port authorities, container freight stations and traders among others. This initiative is line with the provision of the COMESA Treaty. Over the years, COMESA has applied the Protocol on Transit Trade and Transit Facilities to make regulations and harmonized policies to facilitate regional trade. Challenges While these instruments have contributed to reduction of costs of doing business, challenges still persist in terms of disruption in the movement of goods. Among these are high trucking operating costs, loss of goods during transit, cargo dumping, inability to control counterfeit, pilferage and long transit time. Long release time continue to be experienced, delayed clearance at the borders, diversion of goods in transit, and non-availability of Goods Regional Bond Guarantees for most transporters. The pilot of CVTFS has officially begun in the Northern Corridor consisting Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Preparations are also underway to extend the pilot to Malawi, Zambia and Malawi. Major transporters who have presence in different countries in the region have been identified for the pilot project. They are Kuehne +Nagel, Spedag Interfreight , Freight Forwarders and Bollore SDV. Small and Micro Enterprises that deal with Cargo delivery from Manufactures within COMESA Member countries and Export Cargo from COMESA countries are also targeted in the pilot project. Over 100 trips have been made for Cargo from port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo since the pilot started on 25th June. COMESA CVTFS Team is currently making onsite training at Borders in the Northern Corridor. The pilot and subsequent roll-out on all countries will be fully functional in the month of August 2013. COMESA is also carrying-out a mission to extend the pilot of CVTFS to the North-South Corridor comprising Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe for Cargo originating the Northern Corridor where the pilot has started. Preparations to pilot the Djibouti-Ethiopia Corridor have also been completed and will commence in the second week of August, 2013. This pilot will be extended to Sudan which is part of the Corridor.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 07:22:08 +0000
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