By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, December 12, Mana: The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has welcomed the successful installation of a state-of-the-art smart gates truck parking system at the Mchinji One Stop Border Post (OSBP) facility.

The installation has been made possible through collaborative efforts with the European Union (EU) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

The smart gates truck parking system aims to address one of the major challenges faced by border posts – congestion resulting from prolonged stays of trucks in parking yards.

Agnes Katsonga Phiri, MRA’s Executive Director of Corporate Services, highlighted the adverse impact of truck overstays on trade facilitation.

She said: "Transporters sometimes overstay at the border, limiting spaces for officers to execute their work properly. With the smart gates, we can control the period trucks can stay, ensuring that only those that have not been cleared remain at the parking yard."

MRA officials anticipate that the implementation of the system will enhance border efficiency and minimise illicit activities associated with overstays, including theft, smuggling, and damage to goods.

The equipment was procured with support from the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), through the COMESA, as part of the Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) which covers various member states in the region.

COMESA TFP supports the upgrading of various targeted border posts in the region, and in Malawi the target is Mchinji OSBP.

Other items handed over include equipment for mini laboratories and rapid testing kits for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) to the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Mshuka Kamwela, Programme Manager for EDF, said COMESA signed a sub-delegation agreement with the Government of Malawi in January 2020, worth over €3 million.

The agreement is aimed at upgrading the Mchinji border post, which includes the procurement of equipment to enhance effectiveness as well as transforming traditional border crossings into an efficient and modern OSBP where multiple agencies collaborate to facilitate travellers crossing the border.

“By leveraging advanced technologies and coordinated processes, this equipment will contribute to the optimisation of cross-border operations,” Kamwela said.

Christina Zakeyo, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, expressed gratitude to the COMESA Secretariat for its continuous support in ensuring timely procurement and funding disbursement.

She also thanked EDF for its financial backing.

"All these developments and structures would not have been possible if it were not for the EDF's assistance. Malawi does not take this for granted, and the government is highly grateful for the support,” said Zakeyo.

Bartek Studiniarski, EU's Team Leader (Economy, Trade, and Public Sector), emphasised the EU's commitment to trade facilitation and economic growth.

"The equipment we are officially handing over to the Government of Malawi entails the smooth flow of goods across borders, minimising delays and administrative burdens, fostering economic growth and job creation in the country,” he said.

The smart gates truck parking system at the Mchinji border post will enable real-time monitoring and automated check-in and check-out processes for trucks, leading to a substantial improvement in traffic flow and operational efficiencies.

Additionally, laboratory testing equipment for SPS will facilitate rigorous testing, ensuring compliance with international standards and preventing the introduction of harmful substances.

The smart gates parking system and the laboratory equipment are valued at a combined total value of €519,457.