IN-TRANSIT. Borderless Successfully Held Its Annual Conference in Bamako, Mali

Transcription

1 IN-TRANSIT May-June 2018 In This Edition: Borderless Successfully Held Its Annual Conference in Bamako, Mali Borderless Alliance held its 7th Annual Conference from May 9-11, 2018, in Bamako (Mali), under the theme: "Efficient Corridor Management for Improved Trade and Transport in West Africa ". Organized in collaboration with the Malian Shippers Council (CMC), the Technical Unit for Business Climate Reforms (CTRCA) and the Malian Council of Road Transporters (CMTR), this conference brought together 150 stakeholders from the private and public sectors of 15 countries namely: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Niger, Nigeria, Togo, Kenya, Cameroon, Guinea Conakry, South Africa, Great Britain and the USA. Also participating in this meeting were the technical and financial Partners, namely GIZ, AfDB, USAID, UKAid s West Africa Food Markets, as well as Regional and Sub-Regional Organizations such as ECOWAS and UEMOA. Also represented were several sectoral ministries (transport, commerce, health), customs, police and gendarmerie) and companies from various industrial sectors. The opening ceremony was presided over by Madam TRAORE Seynabou DIOP, Minister of Infrastructure and Equipment who gave the keynote address. Also attending were Mr. Cheick Fanta Madi TRAORE, Mayor of Commune III of the city of Bamako, Mr. Ousmane Babalayé DAOU, President of the Executive Committee of Borderless Alliance, His Excellency the Ambassador of the United States to Mali, Paul FOLMSBEE, the representative of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Mali, Mr. André BUDICK, and the Representative of the UEMOA Commission in Mali, Mr. Mamadou Moustapha BARO. Presentations and discussions during the conference focused on four key panels namely: Corridor Development and Management: Strategy, Achievements and way forward; Best Practices in Corridor Management and the Role of Private Sector; Best Practices in Facilitating Transit Trade and Review of the implementation of Regional Trade Regulations. The presentations were followed by debates, discussions and key recommendations to improve corridor management as well as better implementation of regional trade regulations. The General Assembly of BA members was held on the sidelines of the conference. It was an opportunity for members of the Borderless Alliance to review the activity report and the financial statements for the year 2017 on the one hand, and to elect the nine (9) new members of the Executive Committee, on the other hand. At the end of this exercise, Mr. M. Jonas Lago of Scanning Systems, (Ivory Coast) was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee for the period He is assisted by Mr. Souley Mama Yacouba of TRAVCO Sarl Group (Benin) and Mr. Olatayo Omidji of NEXIM Bank (Nigeria). The mantle was handed over to Ghana for the organization of the 8th Borderless Annual Conference in April/May 2019 in Accra. IN-TRANSIT 1

2 Some Photos from the Conference IN-TRANSIT 2

3 Borderless Alliance meets with the New ECOWAS Commissioner of Trade, Customs and Free Movement Since March 2018, the ECOWAS Commission has been headed by a new management including a new president and new commissioners. On June 12, 2018, The Executive Secretary of the Borderless Alliance met Mr. Tei KONZI, the new Commissioner in charge of the Trade, Customs and Free Circulation Department of the ECOWAS Commission, in Abuja, Nigeria, to discuss about the Alliance. The Commissioner advised and reaffirmed its commitment with the Alliance to work hand in hand towards the challenges of the free movement of people and goods in the community area. The Commissioner urged the Alliance to pay special attention to borders as a tool for trade facilitation through better collaboration between border agencies. The Commissioner is particularly sensitive to transit issues because of his background as an Ex customs officer. BA Presents On Good Governance in Developing Modern Quality Infrastructure Systems at the WTO TBT Committee Meeting The Executive Secretary of Borderless Alliance, Mr. Justin BAYILI, was one of the panelists at an event on Good Governance in Developing Modern Quality Infrastructure Systems. The event which took place in Geneva on June 20, 2018 on the side of the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee meeting, was organized by UNIDO in cooperation with Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Amongst other things, quality infrastructure stimulates industrial development, trade competitiveness, innovation and efficient use of resources, while ensuring the protection of the environment. Panelists included representatives of UNIDO, SECO, ILAC, ISO, The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), and the WTO Secretariat. Borderless Alliance Recognized at the 2018 Ghana Shippers Awards in Accra, Ghana On June 22nd 2018 at the Ghana Shippers Awards, Borderless Alliance received a Special Recognition award for being a Champion in Regional Economic Integration. IN-TRANSIT 3

4 Borderless Alliance Members were also recognized and acknowledged for setting business standards and upholding the best practices of trade and industry These include Amaris Terminal, Consolidated Shipping (Conship), DHL, Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority (GPHA) and Seven Log. The Ghana Shippers Awards is an annual event providing a platform to recognize individuals and companies that play a significant role in the growth and development of the industry while recognizing the key functions within the industry that promote growth and sustainability. The awards cut across road transportation, ocean carriers, air transportation, freight forwarding, shipping agents, express services, courier agencies, government agencies, insurance and financial institutions. MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT Mali Shippers Council Mission: The Malian Shippers Council mission is to professionally organize and represent Malian shippers. In this regard it is to: Defend the interest of shippers along all the transport Value chain Give its advice on public requests or from its own initiative and formulate suggestions on all issues relating to transport and transit of goods. To undertake and coordinate studies, training and informative actions and advice that can contribute to the promotion and development of shipper s activities. Contribute to the implementation of facilitation measures and simplification of formalities, procedures, administrative and customs documents. IN-TRANSIT 4

5 Follow up on update changes in tariffs, prices and the quality of services along the transport value chain. Contribute to the establishment of stores, bonded warehouses, dry port and all other infrastructure to aid the fluidity of traffic and the storage of goods. Develop statistics of the flow of goods traffic. VISION: Make the Continentality of Mali an asset cmchargeurs@orang .net site Web : Hamdallaye ACI 2000, Rue 382 près de l Ex Collège Horizon Tel: / Fax: BP E 4283 Bamako, Mali IN-TRANSIT 5