MRA shines at cross-border traders indaba

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) recently graced the first ever Cross Border Traders Conference and Exhibition in Lilongwe from 18^th to 20^th October 2023.

The conference, which was organized by the Cross-Border Traders Association of Malawi and Cross Border Traders Association of Zambia together with Cross Border Traders Network for Eastern and Southern Africa (CBTNESA), brought together hundreds of delegates from the Eastern, Central and Southern African regions.

The main objective of the conference and exhibition was to enhance trade network and collaboration among cross border traders in the Southern and Eastern African with a view to promote investment in cross border business.

In his presentation that was tailored to suit the organizer’s need, Kingsley Chibwana, Manager Industrial Rebate, drilled the participants on areas like Customs procedures and processes that cross-border traders should follow when importing or exporting goods to other countries, qualification to use on Simplified Trade Regime (STR), its benefits and the measures MRA has put in place to facilitate cross border trade, among other areas.

MRA also mounted a pavilion where it showcased various printed materials the Authority is producing to promote cross-border trade and also answered questions to delegates who visited the pavilion.

The organizers commended MRA for taking part in the event and for making an elaborate presentation. They also expressed gratitude to the Authority for distributing printed materials with a lot of information on Customs processes and procedures as well as steps to follow when importing goods through COMESA and SADC trade agreements.

Responding to questions and comments from the audience, Thokozani Chiwaya, Manager Taxpayer Education, North and Centre, informed the local and international delegates that MRA will continue engaging cross-border traders by providing them with the relevant information on cross-border trade through different channels so that they informed decisions on their business.

“Cross-border traders are one of our key stakeholders and as MRA we will do everything within our mandate to support them so that they grow their businesses,’’ added Chiwaya.

In his remarks, the President for Cross-Border Traders Association of Malawi, Steve Yohane, thanked MRA for making a presentation and distributing tax materials at the conference which the participants will use when importing or exporting goods to other countries.

The three-day conference drew participants from Kenya, Somalia, Zambia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Botswana, the Democracy Republic of Congo, Eswathini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi and was funded by the European Union, COMESA, SADC, International Trade Centre and the Cross Border Trades Network for Eastern & Southern Africa. 

BY NAPO SIMKONDA