Mozambique attacks affecting imports and exports movement

Mozambican rebel attacks on vehicles using the Beira route are affecting the import and exports of Malawian goods.

Malawi depends on Beira for its imports and exports as the route is shorter.

Road Transport Association of Malawi (2016) president Sameer Suleman said currently most transporters are afraid to take the Beira route.

He said this has resulted in reduced number of trucks going to Mozambique.

Suleman further said the movement of goods to and from Mozambique has also been restricted.

“We recommend Mozambican government for providing army escort to vehicles passing through Beira. However, the convoy travels once in a day from Beira to Changara, which is restricted movement of vehicles.

“About 90 trucks are able to pass through Mozambique into Malawi per day. This is a reduction from the usual number of trucks that pass through Mozambique,” said Suleman.

He, therefore, urged the government to engage Mozambique so that the number of convoys is increased.

“We would like to see more man power. We would also like to see the number of convoys increased to at least two per day in order to speed up delivery of goods,” he said.

Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) Chief Executive Officer Chancellor Kaferapanjira said there seems to be a reduction in traffic from the Beira route.

He said the implications of the restricted movement of the trucks will result in high transport costs.

“In the first place, it is highly commendable that the authorities in Mozambique have taken that decision. Safety of life is paramount above all else.

“The likely implication of the restricted movement of the trucks in Mozambique however is that Malawi may have to be using Zambia as a transit country rather than Mozambique and the already high transportation cost is going to skyrocket further again,” he said.

Kaferapanjira said that will reduce further Malawian exports price competitiveness and companies that buy and export tobacco may have to lower prices further which is very unfortunate.

“Import prices are guaranteed to go up because the transportation cost is going to be passed on directly to consumers. We are hoping that this will not be the case,” he said.