Trademark: Packaged inspection points for central corridor.

Trademark East Africa (TMEA)

 After conducting improvements on infrastructure at border posts, Trademark East Africa (TMEA) has mooted one stop inspection stations (OSIS) along the central corridor.

 

TMEA’s country director for Tanzania Dr. Josephat Kweka said this early this week in Dar es Salaam at the launch of the annual report of TMEA for 2013/14.

 

The report titled “Partnering for prosperity in East Africa” describes various development initiatives currently being undertaken by TMEA to improve inland transportation infrastructure within East Africa region.

 

A feasibility study has been completed and procurement is being instituted for design and supervision work on the basis of the project as set out in the feasibility study report, he said. 

 

He told the gathering that three sites have been selected, namely Nyakanazi in Kigoma region, Vigwaza in Tabora region and Manyoni in Singida region where upon completion of these stops this will reduce the time it takes to inspect goods being transported along the central corridor.

 

Elaborating, Dr. Kweka said that road safety will improve along with reduction in road congestion, especially by introducing “electronically linked weigh in motion weighbridges” to reduce truck weighing times.

 

 “TMEA has tirelessly worked with East and Central African states since its inception in 2009, in the elimination of Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to improve efficiency for prosperity within the regional block,” he declared.

 

TMEA is also engaged with stakeholders in the modernization of Dar es Salaam port which by 2020 is expected to handle 22 million tons annually from the current 12 million tons the port is handling, he said. 

 

Among projects underway is the construction of modern good sheds, construction of a one kilometer road from the port yard, dredging at the berths No 1 to 7 to approximately 13 meters deep from the water surface in order to enable anchorage of bigger ships at the port, he explained.

 

The trade facilitation organ seeks to leverage direct financial aid, effective engagement with community groups and public sector organisations to improve efficiency at borders (OSBPs), improve the management of he central corridor and improve efficiency of standards testing, Dr Kweka noted. 

 

TMEA works closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society to increase trade by unlocking economic potential through increased market access, enhanced trade environment and increased product competitiveness.

 

 “TradeMark remains true as a development partner, supporting East African institutions across the region to deliver tangible results through its close partnerships with government, businesses and civil society. 

 

“In view of these development initiatives, East Africa is increasingly becoming connected in trade whether though common customs tariffs or common market protocol. Interconnectedness will bring transformative change in trade and increased prosperity for East Africans,” he added.