The Beitbridge one-stop border post project, which commenced last year, is part of the Sothern African Development Community (SADC) efforts to promote regional integration by harmonising customs laws and promoting free trade among the regional bloc’s member states. “The Beitbridge OSBP project is under way and with collective efforts between the two parties involved, it will definitely reach completion soon,” Matiza said. Upon completion, Zimbabwe will mostly look into extra-territorial and hosting arrangements as well as the harmonisation of operations that include immigration, customs and security systems. The Beitbridge OSBP will also see travellers and cargo being cleared once for both entry and exit, ruling out the current process in which the process is done on both sides. Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia are in the process of establishing another OSBP at the Kazungula border post.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 19, 2019 09:00 UTC