1. 1 st CBC Transporters and Logistics Services Dialogue Nairobi 17 th September, 2015

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE 1. Background 2. Corridor Framework 3. COMESA Protocol 4. COMESA Transit Transport Facilitation Instruments 5. Implementation & Challenges 6. Tripartite Initiatives 7. Way Forward

3. 1. Background & context Challenge - high transport costs that harm competitiveness Transport costs affect both imports and exports Worse for landlocked countries Long distances from the market, poor state of infrastructure and, regulatory and administrative bottlenecks (weak transit arrangements) SSATP UN-Almaty Declaration

5. 2. Corridor Framework Geography - Distance to markets oTransit oInter-modalism oMulti-stakeholders Corridor framework provides opportunities for; i. Coordinated infrastructure development, maintenance and management ii. Standardization and harmonization of infrastructure, equipment, policies and skills development iii. Information sharing, performance monitoring and efficiency improvement

6. (iv) Development and promotion of a shared vision (v)Joint resolution of problems (vii) focused support from collaborating partners.

7. 3. COMESA Treaty Article 4 (2b) –Transport and Communications MS Undertake to make regulations for facilitating trade within the Common Market Article 85 – Roads and Road Transport (h) – establish common measures for the facilitation of road transit traffic COMESA Protocol on Transit Trade and Transit Facilities is Annex 1 of the COMESA Treaty.

8. 4. COMESA Transit Transport Facilitation Instruments Some of the instruments include; (i)COMESA Carrier Licence -Licenced carriers to transit other COMESA Member States - facilitates movement of transit trade cargo vehicles and transit public service vehicles within the COMESA region and to adjoining regions. -based on the principles mutual recognition of licences and reciprocity, harmonized and common licensing criteria, harmonized and common conditions of licensing. -Eliminates delays and unnecessary duplication, Improves efficient utilization of vehicles COMESA Transit Plate

9. (iii)Harmonised Road User Charges -Agreed charges for same type of vehicle over same distance. - Ensures uniformity and non- discrimination e.g $10 per 100km for trucks (iv)Axle Load Limits - Control on loads to protect infrastructure, reduces delays arising from transshipment and allow smooth flow of trade across countries & RECs. - Max 56T

10. (v)Vehicle Dimensions - Linked to physical infrastructure - Allows smooth movement of vehicles across countries and RECs - Max Length of vehicle 22m (vi)Yellow Card - Third Party Motor Insurance applicable to participating MS - Reduces delays, saves on premiums & convenient - 13 COMESA & non COMESA MS participating - Being extended to other non-COMESA MS not currently participating

11. (vii)COMESA Customs Document (viii)RCTG (ix)One Stop Border Posts -Reduce delays at border posts through streamlining of processes e.g Chirundu OSBP -Strategy to replicate OSBPs along major corridors focusing on choke point border stations -Some are under development especially in East Africa. - Model Legislation and Regulations available (x)COMESA Virtual Trade Facilitation System - Online cargo and equipment tracking system - Being applied on some corridors - Incorporates and integrate some trade facilitation instruments – more to be integrated

12. 5. Implementation & Challenges -Most countries are making efforts implementing the instruments- varying degrees - Some have derogations in respect some agreed standards - Northern Corridor is the leader in the implementation of instruments - Regional Integration Support Mechanism supports MS implementing agreed regional integration instruments -Transit Transport instruments are among the key indicators monitored under RISM

13. Implementation challenges relate to; Domestication of Harmonised policies and regulatory regimes across countries Guidelines and Procedures not set out clearly on a regional basis Lack of awareness – policy-practice divide in some cases Protectionist tendencies by some MS Weak enforcement mechanism High turnover of experts and regulatory staff Capacity constraints

14. 6. Tripartite Initiatives o Tripartite considering proposals on Harmonised Cross Border Road Transport Regulations and Standards pertaining to the following; (i)Tripartite Vehicle Regulations and Standards; (ii)Training and Licensing of Commercial Drivers; (iii)Harmonization of Cross Border Third Party Motor Vehicle Insurance Schemes; (iv)Proposed Self-Regulatory Scheme –Road Transport Management System; (v)Tripartite Transport Registers, Information Platform and System [TRIPS]; (vi)Draft Multilateral Cross Border Road Transport Agreement [MCBRTA]; and (vii)Implementation Plan for Harmonised Tripartite Cross Border Road Transport Regulations and Standards

15. o Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme (TTTFP) for implementation of the harmonized road transport regulations and standards - Funded under the 11th EDF. Includes provision of technical assistance to facilitate; - domestication of the regional regulations and standards - developing the capacity of executing agencies in the Member States - training of national experts and provision of hardware and software.

16. 7. Way Forward Enhance corridor management and encourage use agreed instruments Implement adopted COMESA/Tripartite instruments Align policy with practice – public/private forum Implement the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme

17. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION Contact details: E-mail: bdzawanda@comesa.intbdzawanda@comesa.int Mobile: +260 978829149