Preparations for operationalisation of One Stop Border Post (OSBP) concept between Malawi and Mozambique have reached an advanced stage with border agencies from both countries agreeing to start implementing the OSBP concept using Malawi's completed facilities at Dedza/Calomue border crossing point as they await construction of OSBP facility on the Mozambican side.
The development follows a Border Agency Meeting between the two countries ahead of a high level meeting scheduled for the 9th to 10th April, 2025 in Tete in Mozambique.
Leading the Malawi team, Sphiwe Msiska who is also the director of administration in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said the meeting was very important as it would inform the discussions at the high level meeting in Tete.
"This meeting is very crucial as it will lay down the implementation modalities of the OSBP concept using one facility while we wait for our counterparts to expedite construction of their own facility on the other side," said Msiska.
Echoing Msiska's sentiments was Beatriz Machava, head of the Bilateral Cooperation Department in the Ministry responsible for Industry, Trade and Commerce in Mozambique who said the importance of getting things started in this trade facilitation arrangement could not be overstated.
"We need to get moving in implementation of the pilot. For us, it will be an opportunity to gain experience as we work towards construction of our OSBP facility at Calomue, " she said.
The culmination of the meeting had breakaway sessions for such clusters as Customs, Agriculture, Immigration, Health, Defense and Security.
The teams inspected various designated operational spaces for imports, exports, transit cargo, passenger clearance channels, and areas allocated for staffing officials from both countries. They also visited the existing structure at Calomue border to get insights into the operability of the OSBP.
The delegation is today expected to visit Mwanza/Zobue border post for a similar undertaking and proceed to Mchinji/Mwami OSBP , which is already operational, to appreciate progress of Simplified Trade Regime (STR).
The OSBP model is meant to reduce clearing time for passengers and cargo, thereby improving efficiency and reducing cost, simultaneously pulling cross border traders to utilise formal routes, hence enhancing revenue collection for the respective countries.
