The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
INCREASED trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, coupled with the hyperactivity at the Port of Beira where goods in transit to other African countries pass through, have put to the fore the need to improve efficiency at Forbes Border Post to avert congestion.
This week, trucks formed a meandering beeline from Forbes Border Post turn off straight down to the border post as one lane was operational at the country’s exit point while the other is being refurbished.
There has been significant increase in movement of goods and people across Forbes Border Post to and from neighbouring Mozambique in recent months, a trend that has also translated into booming business.
More than 30 private clearing companies are operating near Forbes Border Post and in Mutare’s Central Business District.
Mr Mqophiso Sibanda, a clearing agent based at Forbes Border Post, said there has been a significant increase in activity at the country’s eastern entry point.
Mr Sibanda said much of the business has been coming from China though the Port of Beira as well as Mozambique.
“It is undeniable that there has been a significant increase in business. This has been a direct result of the upsurge of movement of goods between Mozambique and Zimbabwe in recent months.
“We can attribute this to the booming Chinese business activities in Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Most of the business emanate from the cargo in transit to our neighbouring countries through Zimbabwe,” said Mr Sibanda.
Allied Customs Freight clearing company spokesperson, Mr Brighton Chigomba concurred that business has been on an upward trend.
He, however, was quick to point out the need to improve infrastructure at Forbes Border Post.
He also highlighted some of the policies that need to be adjusted to spur business even further.
“We have been witnessing a steady increase in the flow of traffic and that is an indication of booming business. However, there is need to make a number of adjustments to ensure that we get full benefits from trade as a country.
“For instance the seals that Zimra placed on trucks in transit is an issue that needs to be addressed.
“At times the seals are not available and they have to come from Chirundu or elsewhere while the client waits. The US$30 charge for the seal is also prohibitive for some truckers.
“The EMA, agriculture, health and toll fees are also some of the costs that some truckers are no longer comfortable with. In fact, some transporters are now choosing to go from Beira to Zambia to evade these costs.
“As we speak, I have a client who is stranded here because they need an Ozone Depleting Substance permit, which can only be applied for in Harare. These are just some of the processes that can frustrate the transporters into shifting to the longer Beira-Zambia route,” said Mr Chigomba.
Congestion at Forbes Border Post has been witnessed on several occasions in recent months, with Zimra highlighting that the installation of an automatic high-rapid speed boom barrier at the border post will ensure a more efficient flow of the increasing traffic.
In a statement issued late last year, Zimra said the delays in clearing trucks would only last 10 days.
“Zimra wishes to advise all travellers, importers, exporters, transporters, clearing agents and the general public that due to the ongoing installation works for the automatic high-rapid speed boom barrier at Forbes Border Post, the border post’s traffic handling capacity has been significantly impacted on.
“This has resulted in the closure of the eastbound traffic lane, and reduction of working and parking space. This reduction in capacity has resulted in some congestion and delays in the effective passage of all traffic, both outbound and inbound.”
