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One-stop border post at Beitbridge
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Zimbabwe and South Africa are accelerating plans to establish a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Beitbridge, a development expected to boost regional integration and improve trade efficiency along one of Southern Africa's busiest transit corridors.
The announcement came during a bilateral meeting on Friday in Beitbridge between Zimbabwe's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, and South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Honourable Ronald Lamola.
Beitbridge Border Post serves as a key gateway linking Southern Africa to the continent, and its modernisation has transformed it into a hub for regional commerce. Technology-driven systems, including drones, have also strengthened efforts to combat smuggling. "This technology has enabled us to fight smuggling, as you can see from the screen—it's a smuggling suspect who's being pursued by our team," said Mr Robson Ngwenya, Manager of drones.
The two ministers emphasised the importance of infrastructure in facilitating regional integration. Professor Murwira noted, "Our main theme today has been regional integration, and for us to integrate, we need infrastructure. Beitbridge Border Post is one such infrastructure. Zimbabwe and South Africa share a lot in common, and this should be exploited for the benefit of the two countries. Integrating infrastructure and removing trade barriers has been one of our major topics. South Africa is the largest trade partner of Zimbabwe, and we are reaffirming the excellent relations that exist between our countries."
Honourable Lamola highlighted the OSBP as a flagship project aimed at encouraging trade among SADC members. "Our engagement today was informed by the One Stop Border Post project, which aims to promote regional integration and trade among SADC members. Zimbabwe is one of our very good trade partners, and we are here to deepen that relationship. South Africa would like to congratulate Zimbabwe on the massive infrastructure and modernisation we have seen on the Zimbabwean border side," he said.
The meeting also saw South Africa reaffirm its support for Zimbabwe's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
The establishment of the OSBP at Beitbridge is expected to streamline border operations, reduce congestion, and facilitate smoother cross-border trade, strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
The announcement came during a bilateral meeting on Friday in Beitbridge between Zimbabwe's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, and South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Honourable Ronald Lamola.
Beitbridge Border Post serves as a key gateway linking Southern Africa to the continent, and its modernisation has transformed it into a hub for regional commerce. Technology-driven systems, including drones, have also strengthened efforts to combat smuggling. "This technology has enabled us to fight smuggling, as you can see from the screen—it's a smuggling suspect who's being pursued by our team," said Mr Robson Ngwenya, Manager of drones.
Honourable Lamola highlighted the OSBP as a flagship project aimed at encouraging trade among SADC members. "Our engagement today was informed by the One Stop Border Post project, which aims to promote regional integration and trade among SADC members. Zimbabwe is one of our very good trade partners, and we are here to deepen that relationship. South Africa would like to congratulate Zimbabwe on the massive infrastructure and modernisation we have seen on the Zimbabwean border side," he said.
The meeting also saw South Africa reaffirm its support for Zimbabwe's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
The establishment of the OSBP at Beitbridge is expected to streamline border operations, reduce congestion, and facilitate smoother cross-border trade, strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
Source - zbc
