TRANSIT Trade stakeholders from Rwanda have expressed satisfaction on the business grounds between Tanzania and Rwanda promising to continue using Dar es Salaam port for shipping in their cargo.
A statement released by Central Corridor
Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) said the Rwandan
delegation that visited the country last month have promised to boost
businesses with their Tanzania counterparts after being satisfied with
the environment of doing business in the country.
Rwanda is the second biggest user of the
Dar es Salaam port among members of the central corridor. The
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) tops the list of Dar es Salaam port
users. According to the records, at least 70 percent of Rwanda cargo
pass through Dar es Salaam port.
In 2015 Rwanda imported about 819,935
tons of goods through the Dar es Salaam Port. The delegation was
represented by officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry,
Ministry of East African Community, Association of Clearing &
Forwarding Agents and Rwanda Shippers Council, Rwanda Revenue Authority
and Rwanda High Commission to Tanzania.
The delegation visited key business
areas such as Maersk, CMA and PIL (shipping lines), Tanzania Food and
Drug Authority (TFDA), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and Tanzania
Revenue Authority (TRA).
Among important issues discussed during
the two-day visit included ironing out of issues such as high container
deposits required by shipping lines, Non recognition of Rwanda Standards
Board (RSB) standard marks by TFDA, full implementation of the
simplified trade regime and opening of Rusumo OSBP for 24/7 operations.
Other agendas included allowing Rwandan
clearing agents to operate at Dar es Salaam port, VAT charges on transit
auxiliary services and issuance of Simplified Certificate of Origin at
Rusumo Customs Border post.
The Head of the delegation, a Senior
Regional Integration Advisor, Ministry of East African Community, Mr
Leonard Mungarulire said the delegation was able to find a common ground
on various issues, build business relations and trust between shipping
lines based in Dar es Salaam and the Rwanda Business community.
“We found it to be very productive and
we commit to maintain the same commitment and momentum in order to
deliver tangible results and impact to our people” he said.
The CCTTFA Executive Secretary, Mr
Dieudonne Dukundane said his office is looking forward to bring more
stakeholders to Tanzania, which is the key facilitator for trade in
central corridor. I am happy that the delegation had successful tour and
important issues were discussed and agreed upon
. This is an important milestone for Tanzania, Rwanda and Central Corridor,” he noted.
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