‘INCREASE KASUMBALESA BORDER POST OPERATING HOURS’

ZAMBIA and the Democratic Republic of Congo needs to find ways in ensuring that the Kasumbalesa One Stop Border Post starts operating for longer hours in an effort to increase trade facilitation.

The Kasumbalesa Border Post is a very important trading port between the two countries adding that statistically, approximately 2000 trucks cross the border almost on a daily basis.

This is according to Transport and Logistics Minister, Frank Tayali, who admitted the need to increase the operating hours at the border post.

Mr Tayali observed that doing so would create benefits for both countries.

He said this when his Katanga counterpart, Robert Kawisha paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry Headquarters within the week.

"Zambia takes cognisance of the great strides that the Congo DR has been making and in particular the economic advancements that Katanga Province has been experiencing due to the visionary leadership and the hard work of the people of the province," Mr Tayali said.

He said the developmental agenda of Katanga Province coincided with Zambia’s own desire to accelerate and promote trade between the countries.

The minister however indicated that this could only be achieved through putting in place infrastructure such as the Kasomeno Mwenda Toll road and the Kasumbalesa and Kipushi Borders operations.

Mr Tayali described as a perfect opportunity to discuss a number of bilateral issues which will be of benefit to both countries to foster continued and shared growth and development.

In response, Mr Kawisha said his visit to Zambia was meant to further strengthen and consolidate the relationships between the two sister countries.

Mr Kawisha said the transport sector faced a lot of challenges that required attention through bilateral meetings between the countries where the experiences can be shared for the sake of implementing the visions of the two Heads of States.

"Since the outbreak of the Covid-19, no country in the world has been spared and the transport sector has been fiercely affected. The latest emergence of a variant called Omicron, will eventually be conquered with God’s blessings," he said.

The two leaders discussed various issues pertaining to transport, road sector, trade, tourism and other matters of bilateral importance between the two countries.