Security agencies to fight illegal exportation of farm produce

Security agencies in the country have pledged their total support to MRA to uproot illegal exportation of farm produce to other countries.

The sentiments were made by the senior security officials recently when MRA visited their establishments in Lilongwe, Mchinji Boma, Namizana border camp in Mchinji, Chitipa, Songwe and Chilumba.

The main objective of the meetings was to sensitize the security agents on their roles and responsibilities with regards to export documentation checking and detention of unscrupulous exports.

Speaking to Malawi Defence Force officials at Chilumba Barracks, the Deputy Commissioner – Exports, Douglas Katchomoza, appealed for the security agents to support MRA in order to deal with unlawful exportation of farm produce that result in externalization of foreign exchange.

He informed the security agents that the Customs & Excise law was recently amended to provide for the creation of Customs controlled export warehouses through which farm produce should be exported abroad to ensure that the country realizes foreign exchange from such proceeds.

He added the country has the potential to generate a lot of forex but this was not the case because some unscrupulous local and foreign business people were illegally buying and exporting farm produce to other countries with no proper documentation.

‘’But with the new law in place, nobody would be allowed to export goods without going through the Customs controlled export warehouses,’’ added Katchomoza.

Speaking on behalf of his soldiers at Chilumba Barracks, the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel, Harawa, pledged his total support to work with MRA by ensuring that the check point at Chilumba Barracks remains water tight.

“At Chilumba Barracks, we will maintain our presence and make sure that all goods including agricultural produce passing through the checkpoint have valid documents without looking at the status of the exporter,’’ he added.

Police patrol officers at Namizana border post in Mchinji attentively listen to MRA

The Customs & Excise Act was amended to provide for the creation of Customs controlled export warehouses and MRA implemented the law on 1^st June 2023.

The law stipulates that produce like maize grain, soya beans, rice, ground nuts, beans, pigeon peas, sunflower, sesame seeds, sorghum, millet and cow peas should be exported through licensed operators of warehouses.

BY NAPO SIMKONDA