By GIDEON NYENDWA
ZAMBIA has officially launched the COMESA Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO), becoming the third Member State to successfully integrate and interface its national system with the regional e-CO system, alongside Eswatini and Malawi. The member countries are now poised to commence the first phase of piloting the system’s implementation.The COMESA e-CO is a critical component of the COMESA digital Free Trade Area (FTA) Action Plan, which encompasses e-Trade, e-Logistics, and e-Legislation. Falling under e-Logistics, the e-CO aims to enhance intraregional trade by streamlining operations.Speaking during the launch, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner for Customs Service Division, Enerst Sigande, highlighted the significant benefits of the system. He noted that it enhances processing efficiencies, reduces business costs, curtails origin fraud, and mitigates the spread of communicable diseases by eliminating physical interactions.“This national launch showcases the seamless integration of the COMESA and Zambia systems, instilling confidence in our stakeholders that the digitalization of the certificates of origin is achievable in our region,” Mr. Sigande said.And Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry Permanent Secretary, Lillian Bwalya, emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting trade facilitation tools such as the e-CO. She explained that the Rules of Origin (ROO) primarily determine the economic nationality of goods for preferential treatment during international export.Ms. Bwalya urged stakeholders to ensure the system is user-friendly to encourage widespread adoption. She also noted that Zambia automated its national ROO system in August 2021, with financial assistance from the European Union through the Southern African Development Community (SADC).Ms. Bwalya said the automation and capacity-building efforts cost approximately €200,010, with an additional $140,000 secured from the European Union and COMESA’s 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Trade Facilitation Programme to enhance the system and integrate it with the regional COMESA framework.Meanwhile COMESA Secretary General, Mulenga Kapwepwe, in a speech delivered on her behalf by Ms. Balness Sumani, expressed hope that all member states would soon complete their system integration, further strengthening regional trade facilitation.Lobito Corridor to triple Zambia’s GDP
