ARUSHA, TANZANIA – Kenya and Tanzania senior representatives officially opened the Holili-Taveta One Stop Border Post (OSBP) last week.

The project which was overseen by TradeMark Africa (TMA) is expected to ease trade movement across the border between the two countries and strengthen the integration process.

The Tanzania Minister for Foreign Affairs, East Africa, Regional and International Cooperation, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, and Kenya’s, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Labour and East African Affairs, Phyllis Kandie, opened the complex.

Customs procedures between Tanzania and Kenya are ebing speeded up and other red tape substantially reduced.

Ambassador Mahiga said the opening of the Holili and Taveta border post reflected the determination of the governments to boost regional integration through trade facilitation.

Phyllis Kandie said the opening of the One Stop Border Posts at Holili and Taveta border marked an important milestone in the integration process of the region and called upon the business community to make optimal use of the facilities to enhance trade.

“Kenya cherishes the vision of widening and deepening of integration… Kenya strongly believes in dynamism of regional integration,” she said.

The construction of Voi and Taveta Road nearing completion and the new facilities at Holili and Taveta would boost trade in the East African region and unlock trade potential of the Kilimanjaro Region and Taveta County, said Kandie.

The OSBP, Dr. Mahiga said, is set to increase efficiency by reducing time and transport costs incurred by businesses and transporters in crossing the border.

The Minister further said the Arusha-Holili/Taveta-Voi road which is currently under construction would boost cross border trade and foster good neighbourliness between Kenya and Tanzania.

Dr. Mahiga requested the Tanzania and Kenya business community to make good use of the posts and take advantage of the new facilities to spur cross border trade, which plays an important role in poverty reduction as it provides trading opportunities for a good number of people.

He said the two countries had demonstrated the political goodwill to implement EAC initiatives. Dr Mahiga said the next step was capacity building in the management of OSBPs to ensure smooth operation and better service delivery.

According to Kandie, there is substantial progress already recorded in the construction of the Taveta-Mwatate-Voi road section.

Already, 75% of the road is complete and opened for use.

“It is anticipated that by the end of this year, the outstanding works on that section will be complete and the people of Taveta and Northern Tanzania for the first time will travel to and from Mombasa and other parts of Kenya with ease,” she said.

Source: EA Business Week

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