Press Release: Boost for One Stop Border Post Concept
21 June 2011
Moves towards speeding up the flow of passengers and freight across Africa’s borders received a boost after a recent workshop in East Africa responded positively to proposals to publish guidance to help countries establish One Stop Border Posts.
Held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 23 to 25 May 2011 the workshop, which brought together over ninety key stakeholders from the East African Community, other regional organisations, the private sector and development partners, was introduced to the draft of a Source Book designed to provide reliable information for preparing regulations and operational guidelines for One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs).
The workshop and the draft Source Book were initiated by the East African Community under the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa’s (www.icafrica.org) Transport Sector Platform, which is lead by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Source Book reviews what has been learned to date about introducing and operating OSBPs across Africa and introduces some of the latest thinking about OSBP management.
The book also outlines the potential benefits of introducing OSBPs, discusses best practice, considers technology and capacity needs and details the legal requirements that need to be taken into account.
Commenting after the workshop Momoko Wada, infrastructure expert at the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa, said:
“Speeding up the flow of freight across borders is vital for Africa’s economic growth and competitiveness as it reduces the cost of transport, which means lower prices for goods transported by road and rail – and cheaper products for consumers.
“Combining border posts and consolidating functions will reduce the time it takes for people, freight and vehicles to exit one country and enter another. This Source Book will provide a comprehensive guide to how to establish One Stop Border Posts.”
The first part of the Source Book introduces the OSBP concept, explains what needs to be done to make a transition from a traditional border crossing to a OSBP and describes the benefits to be obtained from their introduction. The second part deals with critical issues relating to the implementation of an OSBP and how to plan one, such as the legal framework, procedures and ICT requirements. And the third part of the Source Book includes case studies of OSBPs in Africa, and lessons learned.
Based on discussions at the workshop, which was hosted by the East African Community, the OSBP Source Book will be finalised. It should be published in July 2011.
Ends
Notes
- The 1st Joint OSPB Sensitisation Workshop: Lessons Learned from Africa” workshop was held from 23 to 25 may in Arusha, Tanzania. Initiated and hosted by the East African Community (EAC), the workshop was organised jointly by the EAC Secretariat, Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa.
- The role of the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa is to help improve the lives and economic well-being of Africa’s people through encouraging, supporting and promoting increased investment in infrastructure in Africa. Acting as a catalyst, the ICA works to enhance and accelerate the development of Africa’s infrastructure, and to help remove technical and policy barriers. The ICA was launched at the G8 Summit in 2005.
- Media enquiries should be addressed to:
Nick Sheppard
Communications Consultant
Infrastructure Consortium for Africa
E-mail: n.sheppard@afdb.org
Tel: + 44 7724 241214