Executive Director of the Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat (TKCS), Leslie Mpofu has expressed that emerging technologies have introduced new risks and opportunities, requiring a rapid and innovative response from border movement industry leaders and authorities.
Mpofu, who was speaking at the official opening of the TKCS information sharing session in Swakopmund on Wednesday, noted that in order to ease such challenges countries are willing to adopt next-generation technologies.
These technologies, according to the ED, can help minimise risk and improve border security and customer service delivery as well as staff morale.
“Change is inevitable, we need to move with the times and introduce smart corridors and the use of smart containers embedded with sensors and tracking technology such as GPS and RFID chips, allowing manufacturers, carriers and shippers to monitor their cargo more accurately,” Mpofu noted.
He added that there is a need to introduce and implement systems like virtual vehicle queuing systems and the Corridor Trip Monitoring System in order to minimise human interaction and error and thereby minimise delays at ports of entry.
The implementation of these systems will among others; offer authorised traders end-to-end premium procedures, enhance rapid release as well as eliminate redundant and repetitive data, according to Mpofu.
The three-day engagement which is attended by the divergent sectors of transport, health, customs, trade as well as law enforcement and immigration, will centre on Namibia under the theme ‘Enhancing trade facilitation through innovative solutions: A case for Namibia’.
Namibian Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Jonas Sheengolo echoed Mpofu’s sentiments noting that the role of technology in the area of trade and logistics is fundamental for companies and agencies that intend to offer a competitive differential within the market.
“It is crucial for us to come up with sustainable innovative means to facilitate seamless development and mobility, otherwise, realisation of concrete development in the sector could easily become an unrealistic wish that cannot be achieved,” Sheelongo expressed.
The meeting therefore aims to have policy and decision makers, together with stakeholders and all interested parties, bring awareness on solutions implored by Namibia in order to improve performance of the TKCS and thereby enhance trade facilitation.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
