Business in Mozambique
continues to boom despite the
recent political unrest.
According to Sandra De Kock,
director of Destrans, this is good
news for cross-border operators
who specialise in the route.
“Especially
in northern
Mozambique
there is a lot of
activity and that
has resulted
in some good
volumes,” she
said. “The
political unrest
in Mozambique
has, however,
been worrisome
and has to be monitored carefully.”
She said with loads to and from
Mozambique on the increase,
faster border procedures would go
a long way in speeding up truck
turnaround times.
“Standing time is almost always
a contentious issue because the
transporter has
to bear the brunt in most
cases. Trucks cannot generate any
income when stuck at the border
while at the same time customers
are being let down as vehicles are
delayed,” she said. “This means
increased costs which could have
been avoided.”
For De Kock
a 24-hour onestop
border post
between South
Africa and
Mozambique
makes sense,
but she says
this is far from
becoming a
reality.
“In the
meantime one
has to continue communicating
and educating exporters as to what
is required to ensure a smooth,
timeous delivery.”
Another area of concern that
impacts business is the constant
changing of legislation and
processes without effectively
communicating this to operators,
she says.
“Often we only find out about
the changes once the vehicles arrive
at the border. Clearing agents are
left in the dark and then have to
scramble around trying to find
out what the delay is and how to
rectify it.”
Despite these
and other challenges De Kock
is positive in her outlook for
Mozambique.
INSERT & CAPTION
Standing time is almost
always a contentious issue
because the transporter has
to bear the brunt in most
cases.
– Sandra De Kock
