Rutendo Nyeve
Victoria Falls Reporter
VICTORIA FALLS and Chirundu border posts will transition to 24-hour operations starting this December in a joint initiative by Zimbabwe and Zambia aimed at intensifying efforts to streamline customs and immigration, creating a seamless, 24/7 corridor for commerce and human traffic across southern Africa.
With Beitbridge and Forbes border posts already operating round the clock, Zimbabwe and Zambia are collaborating on a landmark development expected to boost regional trade and tourism, chief director in the Department of Immigration, Ms Respect Gono, said in an exclusive interview with Zimpapers.
She highlighted the benefits of cordial bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Zambia, which date back to the liberation struggle.
The Government, Ms Gono said, is actively pursuing the modernisation of the country’s borders and increasing operational hours to facilitate the movement of people and business.
“We expect Victoria Falls Border Post and Chirundu Border Post to run 24 hours by December this year. What has happened is that we are trying to synchronise all border stations to operate 24 hours. You may appreciate that the movement of people and business has increased. As a result, we are trying by all means to ensure the smooth movement of people in business across the region.
“This is going to assist us in economic growth, smooth movement of our people in business and we will see a lot of business in the region,” she said.
The initiative is a demonstration of the collaborative spirit between Zimbabwe and Zambia, who are working in tandem to ensure the success of this project.
By eliminating the constraints of fixed operating hours, the two nations are dismantling a significant non-tariff barrier to trade, allowing for faster and more efficient cross-border movement.
The move is set to be a major enabler for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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