The governments of Mozambique and Malawi want to simplify and modernize the mobility of cross-border communities. To this end, work is underway to introduce the “E-Pass,” a card that will facilitate commercial transactions between the two nations and unlock new economic opportunities.
“The E-Pass is a new system that could ease the movement of people and goods, as well as reduce delays currently experienced in the passage of small goods at the borders between the two countries, which will increase the volume of traded products,” explained Mozambique’s High Commissioner to Malawi, Alexandre Manjate.
According to the diplomat, cited by Rádio Moçambique, the initiative is financially supported by the World Bank under the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project. “The electronic pass aligns with the Mozambican government’s goal to promote bilateral and regional development by supporting small traders along the border line.”
Last year, Mozambique and Malawi signed an agreement in the Malawian capital, Lilongwe, to simplify cross-border trade procedures, aiming to improve the fluidity of commercial exchanges between both countries. The memorandum marked an important milestone in economic and diplomatic relations between the two neighboring territories and strategic partners in the Southern Africa region.
With the implementation of the agreement, the two African countries began exporting and importing up to 47 agricultural and manufactured products without customs duties, for values not exceeding one thousand dollars.
This alliance followed negotiations that lasted about three years, with an equal number of negotiation rounds bringing together technical teams from both countries to discuss the terms and conditions to be implemented, ensuring that both countries benefit equitably from the new trade provisions.
The agreement fits within the recommendations of the 32nd meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Ministers’ Council, which urged member states to commit to negotiations for implementing a simplified trade regime in the region.
The goal is for SADC countries to promote a more fluid and integrated trading environment, facilitating transactions and consequently boosting regional economic growth.
Source: Diário Económico
