The formation of border teams is seen as a key move in enhancing trade and cargo movement across East African, a Tanzanian government official has said.

Mr Kagyabukama Kiliba, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, said the formation of Joint Border Committees will ease the operation time between border points in the region.

The teams will ensure quick and enhanced service delivery, a move that Mr Kiliba said will cut costs incurred.

He noted that the committees are streamlining operations at each border with multi agencies conversing on one online platform.

2000 PASSENGERS DAILY

The Tanzanian official was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting in Malaba where he led a delegation from Tanzania in a fact finding mission on smooth operations of the Malaba Joint Border Committee.

The JBCs are a co-operation between government agencies and the private sector involved in the border operations as well as cargo and passenger movement.

The formation of these committees comes after the launch of One Stop Border Posts in East Africa.

Malaba JBC Secretary, Deo Otia, reiterated the importance of creating a hub for exporters to other central African states.

According to Mr Otia, Malaba currently handles an average of 1,600 cargo trucks and 2,000 passengers on a daily basis and the introduction of the JBC system results in movement across the border.