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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

ZIMBABWE has submitted its provisional tariffs concession schedule to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat as the Government moves a gear up towards the full implementation of a raft of trade facilitations measures.

The AfCFTA is an agreement signed by 54 heads of States from Africa with the view to steer robust trade and remove barriers to trade facilitation.

At the moment the country is a Member State (signatory) and will become a State Party following the ratification of the AfCFTA agreement, which needs enabling legislation.

This was said by the chief investigator in the Competition and Tariff Commission, Mr Tarcicious Mufundisi, on the sidelines of a two-day training of border agencies in Beitbridge this week on the Rules of Origin and border procedures, which are key in removing trade barriers as part of the agreement.

Stakeholders from over 22 Government agencies including media practitioners operating at the transformed Beitbridge border post were trained on the latest trade facilitation processes.

The training was carried out by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

“Zimbabwe has submitted its provisional tariff concession schedule to the AfCFTA Secretariat, which has approved it,” said Mr Mufundisi.

“What is pending is its approval by the Summit of Heads of States later this year. Basically Zimbabwe is in a process to join the second phase of the AfCFTA guided trade initiative, where already eight countries started trading in the first phase and more are expected in this second phase.

“Together with other line stakeholders we were in Beitbridge to sensitise the border agencies on the AfFCTA focusing mainly on protocols that are contained in the agreement. We extensively focused on the protocol of trade in goods and to annex 1 relating to rules of origin and the one relating to trade remedies.”

He said the training was meant to guide the border agencies on a glimpse of what is contained in the continent’s trade agreement and what rules govern trade in terms of how goods are considered to be originating within the AfCFTA.

On trade remedies, Mr Mufundisi said, the focus was on how Zimbabwe guards or protects the domestic industry from unfair trade practices and surges in imports.

He said it was important to sensitise the border agencies because they play a key role in facilitating trade.

“Beitbridge being one of the busiest ports of entry in Sadc people must be aware of the AfCFTA, so that when we start trading under this initiative it will be all hands on deck for us as a country,” said Mr Mufundisi.

Officially opening the training on Monday, Zimra’s acting regional manager for Beitbridge, Mrs Josephine Uta, said the Rules of Origin are the backbone of any free trade agreement and are fundamental to the success of the AfCFTA.

She said these determine, which products qualify for preferential treatment, ensuring the benefits of this agreement are directed towards our member States.

Mrs Uta said overly complex rules can stifle trade and create unnecessary obstacles. Beitbridge chairperson of the Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ), Mr Abel Rumbwere, said; “The training will assist the clearing agents better apply the rules and regulations of the AfCFTA. This helped us understand the trade protocols and their application as we facilitate trade within Africa. 

“The AfCFTA covers a wide range of issues that are not included in other trade agreements”.

Progressive Custom Brokers Association of Zimbabwe national secretary, Mr Runouya Mateko, said it was critical for the implementers of the trade laws to be enlightened on the agreement (AfCFTA).

He urged customs clearing agents to acquaint themselves with the agreement so that they may enhance trade for the country’s envisaged economic development.

A journalist who attended the training, Mr Evans Dakwa said, “This training is very important in preparing the border agencies before the provisions of this new trade agreement kick in. The involvement of the media in raising consciousness about the AfCFTA is a welcome development”.