LUSAKA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank has partnered with Zambia to develop a key border entry that connects the southern nation to Tanzania, a senior bank official said Wednesday.
Achim Fock, the World Bank country manager for Zambia, said during the signing of the partnership support agreement and project charter that the bank was proud to partner with Zambia to develop infrastructure at the border.
"We strongly believe that these efforts will significantly reduce border-crossing time and facilitate trade and therefore overall development of Zambia and its neighboring countries," he said.
The World Bank official noted that the border post was an important border crossing in the southern African region, with 800 trucks already crossing the border every day, noting that the border does not only facilitate trade for Zambia and Tanzania but other countries in the region.
The bank, he said, was providing the support through the Transport Corridors for Economic Resilience (TRACER), a 270 million U.S. dollars regional project connecting Zambia with Tanzania, Malawi and Namibia.
According to him, the project will finance the development of key infrastructure including buildings, roads, parking areas, power supply, the supply of information communications and technology equipment related to building operations and training of staff.
Situmbeko Musokotwane, Zambia's finance and national planning minister, commended the World Bank and other partners for supporting the project to upgrade the infrastructure at the border entry.
Musokotwane said the project was vital toward enhancing trade facilitation, reducing border congestion and improving border efficiency at border entry.
The minister also said improving infrastructure will enhance clearance efficiency along the Dar es Salaam corridor from the current two days to five days to just under 24 hours and ultimately facilitate trade flows. ■
