Text (AIM)

Delegations from Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia have been meeting in Lusaka since Monday this week to improve the tripartite coordination mechanisms, with a view to reducing the costs and time of commercial transactions, as well as improving access to transport infrastructures.

During the meeting the parties discussed the state of preparation for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Standardization, Quality, Accreditation and Metrology to be signed between the three countries, the challenges in the areas of infrastructure, regional coordination, among others.

They also assessed the level of progress in implementing the action plan devised at the 7th Meeting of the Tripartite Joint Management Committee of the Nacala Development Corridor (CGCDN) last March in Lilongue, the capital of Malawi, as well as the activities planned for 2024.

"By improving regional coordination and integration, it is hoped to boost the economy of the three countries in particular, and the region in general, by strengthening regional value chains, improving access to transport infrastructure, modernizing border posts and simplifying procedures to reduce transit times on the corridors," reads the communiqué issued at the end of the event.

The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss key issues for the three countries.

Of particular note is the signing of the Nacala Corridor Tripartite Agreements, soon to be signed by the Heads of State of the three countries, which will help improve inter-institutional and commercial coordination mechanisms in the region, with special attention to reducing the costs and time of commercial transactions and improving access to transport infrastructures.

Participating in the Sector Group Meeting of the Nacala Development Corridor Management Committee were technicians from the Transport and Communications, Industry and Trade, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Climate Resilience sectors, and representatives of the governments of the three countries, as part of the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SACCP), financed by the World Bank to the tune of USD 230 million. (AIM)