Dedza/Calomue one-border post officially commissioned as ‘One-Go Border Post’

* This improves the system, digitises it, and also improves the waiting time — all this has been made possible through the good relations between Malawi and Mozambique—World Bank, Country Manager, Firas Raad

* As President Chakwera applauds the World Bank and other partners for making it happen funded at US$9.6 million

* As we celebrate the 50 years of Mozambique and Malawi ties, we are happy to take our relations to higher levels

By Steve Chirombo, MANA

The Dedza/Calomue one-border post has officially been named as ‘One-Go Border Post’ at its commissioning today by President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, and his Mozambican counterpart, Daniel Francisco Chapo.

The World Bank-funded US$9.6 million Dedza/Calomue One-Go Border Post has been described as a significant step towards enhancing regional integration and trade facilitation.

World Bank Country Manager, Firas Raad said apart from celebrating 50 years of existence between the two countries, the day marked a new beginning of fast trade as well as regional cooperation between the two countries.

“This improves the system, digitises it, and also improves the waiting time — all this has been made possible through the good relations between Malawi and Mozambique,” Raad said.

The facility aims to streamline border clearance procedures, reduce transit times, and boost trade between Malawi and Mozambique and in his remarks, President Chakwera, said “Mozambique and Malawi agreed that this should be named a ‘One Go’ not ‘One Stop’ post — and this goes to all borders across the country.

He added that apart from celebrating the 50 years of existence between the two countries, the One Go Border Post was another positive development worth rejoicing.

The President further applauded the World Bank and other partners for making it happen, adding that the facility will improve trade and investment.

“As we celebrate the 50 years of Mozambique and Malawi ties, we are happy to take our relations to higher levels and we want to celebrate this as a starting point of greater things to come — building from strong foundations that have already been laid.”

He further said Malawi and Mozambique will continue to cooperate in many areas of co-existence for the prosperity of Africa — while his guest of honour, Chapo, expressed gratitude for the invitation, describing the ceremony as historical.

“This One-Go Border Post shows the relationship between the two people,” he said. “The 50 years are a lifetime achievement and we are here to confirm our relationship and improve the living conditions of our people,” Chapo said while calling on the African continent to improve its infrastructure so as to ensure free trade a reality, and to also boost economies.

“We are one people, we are brothers and sisters,” he said. “Let’s remove the barriers among our people because this is what they want — more developments of One-Go so that our people can do rapid businesses,” Chapo said.

Yesterday, when Chapo attended the Malawi-Mozambique Business Community Initiative held at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (MCCCI) president, Dr. Wisely Phiri took cognizance of the encouraging cross-border infrastructure between the two countries, such as the rehabilitation of the Nacala Corridor and the operationalisation of the Mwanza/Zobue and the Dedza/Calomue One Go border posts.

He impressed on the guest of honour, that “Malawi and Mozambique don’t just share a border — we share history, culture, trade routes and most importantly aspirations for prosperity”; thus went on to ask for more trade sharing, that include:

1. Strengthening Bilateral Trade Agreements: to complement the efforts made by respective governments to review and implement trade agreements that eliminate unnecessary barriers such as the ‘simplified trade regime’ and harmonise standards and regulations — “let us continue in building and refining a rules-based trade framework that benefits both countries and implementing policies that enhance trade”;

2. Investing in Cross-Border Infrastructure: “Roads, rail, energy, and telecommunications are critical for business. “We advocate for continued investment in infrastructure that connects Malawian producers with Mozambican ports, and Mozambican goods with inland markets in Malawi.

“To this end I would like to appreciate the increased efforts in security allowing for safe passage which has been of great concern to the business community”;

3. Facilitating Joint Ventures and Business Networks: “We encourage businesses from both countries to explore joint ventures. MCCCI, in collaboration with our Mozambican counterparts, stands ready to facilitate business matchmaking forums and sectoral dialogues to continue our engagement”;

4. Empowering SMEs and Youth Entrepreneurs: “As we strive to continue our collaboration, let us not forget the role of small and medium enterprises and young entrepreneurs. They represent the future of our economies. We must provide them with the tools, skills, and capital to innovate and compete”.

“The path to prosperity is not walked alone — it is walked together through partnership, trust, and vision,” said the MCCCI president. “Let this initiative be a continuation of our growth path building on the foundation of the last 50 years to achieve measurable progress.

He described the Malawi-Mozambique Business Community Initiative as a significant milestone in the two countries’ shared journey — which uniquely marks ‘50 years of enhancing Malawi and Mozambique relations and cooperation for shared prosperity’.

“And what better way can we demonstrate that than through collaboration of the private sector who are the anchors of economic growth,’ said the MCCCI president, who is the founder and managing director of the country’s leading ICT services provider, SPARC Systems.—Edited by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express