The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S dry port facility at Walvis Bay in Namibia, which is expected to play an integral role in the country’s trade through providing a direct alternative shipping route on the Atlantic side for both exports and imports is now operational, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza said the dry port, which will be manned by the National Handling Services had started operating following the finalisation of all documentation required for the facility to start functioning.
“The Zimbabwe Dry Port facility at Walvis Bay is now operational.
“His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa commissioned the Walvis Bay Dry Port Facility in Walvis Bay, Namibia in July 2019.
“This follows the completion of the development of the requisite infrastructure at the Port.
“Government has since mandated the National Handling Services, to operationalise, manage and maintain the facility.
“Key milestones for the first phase of the project have already been achieved and these include the establishment of an institutional framework as well as implementation of the business plan for the Dry Port Facility,” she said.
A dry port is basically a city away from a sea where formalities for exports or imports (through the sea) are completed and shipments are sent from there to sea ports for loading on ships where no more paperwork is required.
“Zimbabwe previously handled its import and export cargoes via Beira, Maputo and Durban ports only and these are now heavily congested.
“The increase in Zimbabwean trade volumes through the Port of Walvis Bay prompted the creation of the facility. This facility provides a strategic and cheaper gateway to the Atlantic Ocean for local manufacturers and international businesses,” said Dr Nzenza.
The dry port is expected to help foster regional integration as it would not only benefit Zimbabwe, but other countries in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.
“It’s (dry port) not only going to serve Zimbabwe but other landlocked countries in the region. For Zimbabwe, this facility is envisaged to ease logistical challenges for exporters and importers by providing a direct alternative shipping route on the Atlantic side.
“It will further broaden the prospects of our companies to increase trade within the context of African Continental Free Trade Area, by promoting inter-African trade.
“In short, the dry port will assist with the facilitation of trade between Zimbabwean businesses and the rest of the world,” said Dr Nzenza.
@DNsingo
