Announcement

Coordinated Border Management to launch at Mwanza Border Post

Summary

Under direction of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, a soft launch of CBM is to commence week beginning 8th May 2023 at Mwanza Border Post. Traders are required to familiarise themselves with new border clearance arrangements.

Updated on : 09-05-2023

                                                                                                          COORDINATED BORDER MANAGEMENT

 

MWANZA PILOT PROJECT

 

The Malawi Government, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is implementing reforms aimed at making Malawi an attractive destination for investment and international trade. The reforms, amongst many, include the Coordinated Border Management (CBM), the One Stop Border Post Project (OSBP), the National Single Window (NSW), and the Trade Facilitation Bill. CBM is an approach whereby border agencies, seek greater efficiencies in managing trade and travel flows, whilst complying with all regulations. The OSBP improves border efficiency by providing a single facility at the adjoining borders to house both countries agencies that process exit and import procedures.  The National Single Window is an electronic system aimed at easing import, export and transit regulatory transactions. The Trade Facilitation Bill has been developed to address gaps identified in the holistic implementation of trade facilitation reforms.

The overall goal of these reforms is to facilitate trade by making transactions efficient, effective, and seamless. The CBM operating model has been developed to reduce delays at the international borders by reducing the number of government agencies This will be achieved by some agencies delegating their border responsibilities to those that will remain at the border, thus eliminating duplications, optimizing resource use and reducing the cost of doing business at the borders. The implementation of the CBM operating model is scheduled to commence in May 2023 with a pilot at Mwanza border post.

The number of border agencies at the border will, until further notice be 6 as per the listing overleaf. The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) is the designated lead agency that will coordinate all matters relating to border clearances. In addition, a Joint Border Operations Committee (JBOC) has been formed whose mandate is to handle local operational issues and complaints to ensure smooth and efficient clearances.

The Malawi Government is committed to ensuring that border clearances are transparent through the effective implementation of CBM.  CBM is not a relaxation of the regulations but aims to achieve both speed and compliance. This brochure highlights the major changes and outlines how to clear cargo under the CBM model of operation.

The 6 agencies to remain at the Mwanza border under CBM are the following;

• Malawi Police Service (MPS)
• Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services
• Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA)
• Ministry of Agriculture (MoA): Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS) and Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development (DAHLD)
• Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS)
• Ministry of Health (Port Health for health screening)

 

There has been no change in the responsibilities of the Malawi Police Service and Department of Immigration and Citizenship services under CBM. All other agencies relocating from the border have delegated their responsibilities to either MRA, MoA or MBS.