MRA and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) on Tuesday, July 26 2016, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a regional cargo tracking  system.

The COMESA Virtual Trade Facilitation System (CVFTS) is aimed at providing real-time information and aid uninterrupted movement of goods across borders through integration of systems used by regional revenue authorities, transporters, shippers, clearing agents, ports and customs.

COMESA Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya said the MoU is aimed at promoting legal trade in the region with the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

“Customs administrations are facing a lot of challenges and the practice of having officers to physically escort goods in transit is not practical. This is why we are promoting the use of ICT enhanced systems to counter diversion of goods,” said Ngwenya.

He said the MOU is COMESA’s commitment that it will support MRA to operationalize the system.

“The system is a sure way of institutionalizing transparency as there is visibility of cargo movement,”Ngwenya said.

MRA Commissioner General Tom Gray Malata said the Authority is determined to increase Customs cooperation in the region.

“We are excited that we have COMESA’s support. The CVTFS will strengthen controls and prevent smuggling as some importers pretend to use Malawi as a transit route while smuggling goods in the process,” the CG said.

Besides tracking cargo from origin to destination, the system will facilitate management of transit bonds and capture electronic data contained in the customs seal and assign this information to customs offices at various transit points.

BY HENRY MCHAZIME