TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS PERSPECTIVES: COMESA SECRETARIAT

The insights on regional perspectives in transport and logistics were provided by Dr Dev Anand Haman, Assistant Secretary General at the COMESA Secretariat. Dr Haman reminded the delegates that there was need for mindset change from “land-locked” to “landlinked” in Zambia and the rest of the COMESA region. Zambia is surrounded by eight (8) neighbouring countries and is a Member State of other economic initiatives: such as COMESA, SADC and AfCFTA. The Regional Economic Communities (RECs) such as COMESA, SADC and the continental AfCFTA were established to promote regional integration through trade and development of human and natural resources and ensure the seamless movement of people and goods. However, there is need to address the barriers to regional integration. Hence the existence of RECs. The COMESA Secretariat develops policies in order to remove barriers to the movement of people and trade. The aim is to enable the free movement of people and seamless flow of goods. The money should be channelled to the private sector (engine of economic growth). The private sector should create jobs and contribute to national and regional economic growth and development.

Transport and logistics plays an important role in the movement of goods and people. The transport and logistics sector is also important for the growth and development of tourism and travel (hence the importance of air transport or the aviation sector). The create jobs.

Secretary, Mr Frederick Mwalusaka, invited the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Frank Museba Tayali, to deliver his speech and officially open the 2023 LLZ Conference and Exhibition.

In his remarks, Hon. Tayali expressed honour and privilege at officiating the second edition of the LLZ Conference and Exhibition. The Minister welcomed all the delegates (both local and foreign) to Zambia and the 2023 LLZ Conference and Exhibition. He also recognised Africast Limited for organising a conference of this magnitude in conjunction with the MTL. The Minister thanked all sponsors and exhibitors from Zambia, COMESA, EAC and

Exhibition a reality. Further, he thanked all the delegates for finding time to participate in the second edition of the LLZ Conference and Exhibition.

The transport and logistics sector is a precursor, enabler and catalyst for economic growth and development in the region. By providing the physical networks and services upon which the economy and society depends for the movement of people and goods, transport facilitates business and consumer access to markets and services, promotes economic diversification and regional integration and thereby supports growth of the wider economy.

The 2023 theme seeks to address the impact of the as the elimination of tariffs on goods and addressing non-tariff obstacles to intraregional and inter-African trade and ultimately create a continental single market with the free movement of labour and capital. Increased trade definitely results in increased demand for transport services and infrastructure at all levels. Therefore, there is need for the tripartite region (COMESA, EAC and SADC) to harness this opportunity that seeks to integrate the region with ultimate beneficiaries being citizens. A developed transport and logistics sector will, undoubtedly, benefit the youth and women in rural areas as well as support the development of SMEs and promote the overall industrialisation of Africa. a land-linked country with immense potential and capacity in development opportunities. Zambia is strategically located to complement regional development plans, as the main link, of the corridor network in the tripartite region.

The conference deliberations will cover in-depth topics such as “Unlocking the Potential Positioning of Zambia as an Aviation Hub, Optimisation and Interoperability of the Railway Network within the Tripartite Region, Benefits of Domesticating the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme (TTTFP) Agreements and Efficient Border Management in a Simplified Trade Regime”. The Minister was pleased to note that a special session on the movement of people had been included which would be spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) as the tourism sector is being repositioned.

The Minister reminded the Conference that President Hakainde Hichilema had challenged the mining sector to increase annual copper production from 830’000 MT to 3’000’000 MT per annum by 2031. This provides an unprecedented opportunity for the transport and logistics industry. The DR Congo has similar targets of copper production.

In recognising the fundamental role that transport networks and services play in Zambia’s as well as regional development, authorities in Zambia have seen the need to develop sustainable transport systems which align economic growth and environmental sustainability. The Minister stated that it was gratifying that all have recognised the significant opportunity that transport plays in Zambia’s economic and regional development.

The LLZ Conference and Exhibition is built as a regional platform for stakeholder engagement. The presence of sponsors, exhibitors and delegates at the 2023 LLZ Conference and Exhibition reaffirms Zambia’s unique positioning as the appreciated the presence of all organisations that contributed to the successful hosting of this edition of the LLZ Conference and Exhibition. He also recognised the presence of the international delegations from Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, as well as representatives from Australia and the UK.

He assured the delegates that the ZDA, which is mandated to facilitate investment promotions and trade development (working together with transport and logistics experts from the MTL) will be available to provide guidance on harnessing the various opportunities available in the transport and logistics sector. The Minister expressed interest to learn more about the collaborations that would generate from the 2023 LLZ Conference and Exhibition. With these remarks and wishing the delegates fruitful deliberations, Hon. Tayali declared the 2023 LLZ