By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –
ZAMBIA and Tanzania will harmonise guidelines for the effective implementation of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) by June this year.
Tanzania indicated that the Act to put into operation the OSBP has been enacted with a copy of the Act and implementation guidelines submitted to Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) through the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).
This is according to the agreed minutes of the sixth joint meeting of Government officials for the two countries held in Nakonde recently.
The minutes were signed by Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe and Tanzanian Finance and Planning Permanent Secretary, Servacius Likwelile.
It has been agreed that the meeting would be held on June 30, this year to harmonise the guidelines of the OSBP.
The minutes indicated the enactment of an enabling OSBP legislation by the two Governments was one of the successes achieved aimed at addressing border challenges.
Further, it was stated in the minutes that Simplified Trade Regime (STR) agreements and the list of products to be traded between the two countries were developed as a solution to curb the illegal trade at the border.
Zambia further stated that STR documents were submitted to Tanzania for comments while the country had not yet received comments from their counterparts.
Tanzania on the other hand, indicated that it had received the STR agreement and the list of products to be traded between the two countries and would provide feedback by June 30, this year.