Addis Ababa, February 23, 2021 (FBC) – Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Ethiopia have signed a 5.6 million Euro sub-delegation agreement to improve coordinated border management, trade and transport facilitation at the Moyale and Galafi border posts.
Moyale and Galafi borders link Ethiopia on one hand to Kenya and Djibouti on the other respectively.
The project will assist Ethiopia to upgrade the single window service system, to increase inter- agency connectivity and to improve the connectivity of the two customs systems. The project is funded by the European Union under the COMESA Trade Facilitation Programme.
The State Minister of Trade and Industry of Ethiopia, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, and COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe separately signed the sub-delegation agreement.
The EU will also finance the construction of the main building of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at the Ethiopian Galafi border post.
Other components of the project include capacity building, training of the agencies’ staff present at the borders and holding of sensitization workshops.
Appreciating the European Union for the support rendered, the State Minister said: “The support is timely as the Ethiopian government desires to build on the current trade facilitation effort that will enhance the efficiency and ultimately reduce the cost of doing business as Ethiopia grapples with the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The State Minister also thanked the COMESA Secretary General and her staff for the technical support rendered during the development of Ethiopia’s project.
Explaining the modalities of implementation of the sub-delegated activities, the Secretary General said it is envisaged the Ethiopian government will take ownership and lead in the implementation of the activities.
“We foresee increased collection of revenue through increased trade flows,” the Secretary General projected.
She added that COMESA is committed to ensure that all borders are assisted to become more efficient and operate smoothly to deepen regional trade, which will lead to enhanced regional integration.
The Ethiopian government will proceed with the implementation of the sub-delegation agreement, which includes managing contracts, supplies and services, while COMESA will provide technical guidance.
This is to ensure that implementation takes place in line with European Union procurement procedures, stipulated under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF).
The funds will also support capacity building for stakeholders on improved border operations and the implementation of a border information awareness campaign on customs cooperation and trade facilitation instruments.