Times Of Swaziland: CALL TO SIMPLIFY CUSTOMS PROCEDURES

CALL TO SIMPLIFY CUSTOMS PROCEDURES
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Nhlanganiso Mkhonta on 26/02/2024 10:02:00


MBABANE - Simplifying customs procedures and implementing transparent and
efficient trade facilitation measures could expedite the movement of goods
across borders.
This was the submission of the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba
Khumalo,  during the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) Ministerial Meeting
on Trade held in the margins of the 13th World Trade Organisation (WTO)
Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre yesterday. The
meeting was convened under the theme “Unlocking opportunities for LLDCs in
global trade. The role of the Multilateral System.”
Challenges
Khumalo stated that Eswatini was not spared from the development challenges
linked to landlockedness, which among others include lack of access to the sea,
remoteness from major markets, additional border crossings, high trade
transaction costs and dependency to transit countries. “As we think of
possible ways of how our country can unlock the opportunities in global trade at
the multilateral level, one cannot neglect the role of trade facilitation,” he
said. The minister was accompanied by the Principal Secretary (PS) Siboniso
Nkambule and Director of Trade Lungile Dlamini. He said LLDCs can also benefit
from adopting modern customs practices and technologies to streamline trade
processes. He said investment in infrastructure development was also key.
Khumalo mentioned that improved infrastructure, such as transport and logistics
networks, was crucial for LLDCs as means to connect with international markets.
He said investments in roads, railways, ports and customs infrastructure could
reduce transportation costs and transit times, making exports more competitive.
He added that one of the key priorities for the Vienna Programme of Action
(VPoA) is regional integration and cooperation. He said a regional approach in
addressing our challenges could serve as a solution to the challenges faced.
“I therefore call for Regional Economic Communities to develop regional
infrastructure projects in order for our goods and services to move across
without any hurdles,” he said. The minister said LLDCs should also take
advantage of the platform provided by the multilateral trading system, governed
by the WTO which plays a crucial role in facilitating global trade and ensuring
a level playing field for all members, including LLDCs and Small Islands
Developing States (SIDS).
Strategies
He said it was therefore his belief that by implementing these strategies and
those that were yet to be presented by other colleagues and relevant
stakeholders they can indeed unlock opportunities for sustainable economic
growth and development through increased participation in global trade. The
minister highlighted that as they were preparing for the Ministerial Conference
and the upcoming Third UN Conference on LLDCs to be held this year, in Kigali
Rwanda, they needed to reflect on the work done and achievements of the Vienna
Programme of Action (VPoA) which was adopted by the United Nations in 2014, to
promote the sustainable development of LLDCs. He said the aim of the VPoA was to
address the unique challenges faced by LLDCs, such as high transportation costs,
limited access to global markets and the need for infrastructure development.