PRESIDENTS John Pombe Magufuli (Tanzania) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) have pledged to continue taking swift measures that are meant to eradicate non-tariff barriers in order to spur trade between the two countries and the East African region at large.
The Heads of State have concurred that removing barriers to trade could increase more benefits to the people of the two countries, who already enjoy historic brotherhood relationship.
Speaking during the Official visit of President Kagame in Dar es Salaam on 1^st July, 2016, President Magufuli outlined measures taken by Tanzania to improve the Dar es Salaam Port and road network along the central corridor.
President Magufuli said in the past there were some challenges of bureaucracy at the Dar es Salaam Port and huddles along the corridor but now a lot has changed thanks to government interventions.
“We are making sure that our port become more efficient. I would like to assure businessmen that the Dar Port is now peaceful, just like its name (Dar es Salaam means the port of peace).
Other measures he said were reduction of weighbridges for transit trucks and buses from eight to just three from Dar es Salaam to the borders with Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo.
According to President Magufuli, the two Presidents bi-laterally agreed that Tanzania should set aside land for the construction of an Inland Container Terminal for all transit goods destined to Rwanda to reduce bureaucracy.
Tanzania will also station in Rwanda liaison officers from Tanzania Port Authority (TPA) to facilitate clearing of goods and attend to other challenges affecting traders from Rwanda inside Rwanda.
The President also reiterated his commitment to the construction of the standard gauge railway line stretching from Dar es Salaam Port to Kigali, Msongati with its branches to Mwanza and Mpanda.
He said the Tanzania government has set aside 460 million USD to begin its construction up to Chalize, Coast Region in order to encourage more development partners to participate.
“President Kagame is also very keen on this railway project. Chinese have shown great interest. We want when construction begins in Dar es Salaam, others should start from Kigali and other angles” Mr Magufuli said
Addressing business community before inauguration of the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, President Kagame said Tanzania and Rwanda had similar ambitions for development as members of both the East African Community and the Central Corridor.
“The people of our region have the drive and dynamism. They can only benefit from the vast opportunities that come with faster and deeper integration,” President Kagame said
He stressed that increased trade and investment depends on closer cooperation, improved infrastructure to connect people and markets, access to latest technologies as well as removal of barriers to trade. “These are challenges we must continue to deal with,’ Mr Kagame insisted
The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (TTFA) Executive Secretary Capt. Dieudonne Dukundane commended the Heads of State’s efforts in improving the welfare of the corridor.
“Being an institution that monitors the development and performance of Central Corridor, we commend the Heads of State bold initiatives in promoting efficiency at Dar es Salaam Port, Central Corridor highways, airways, borders and ICT.
Over the past 2 years we have witnessed significant reduction in Corridor crossing time, police check points, border crossing time and dwell time at the Dar es Salaam Port, ” Said Capt. Dukundane
Capt. Dukundane said the measures taken by the Heads of State are bringing in additional benefits in terms of transit and transport costs reduction, increased businesses and improved welfare for Corridor users and end consumers.
About 70% of Rwanda’s cargos pass through the Port of Dar es Salaam.
In April 2016 the two Presidents inaugurated the Rusumo International Bridge and Rusumo One Stop Border Post as one of the measures to reduce barriers and increase trade among the two nations and within the East African Community region.
Source: Central Corridor

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