The National Technical Committee Meeting on the Tripartite Transport & Transit Facilitation Program inaugurated

Kigali,16^th September,2021- The National Steering and Technical Committees on the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Program (TTTFP) was officially inaugurated.  The technical committee chaired by the permanent secretary in the ministry of infrastructure Rwanda, Eng. Patrice UWASE oversee the implementation of this program.  This session was organized by the Programme Management Unit and held virtually due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Program (TTTFP) was launched in October 2017 in the tripartite region (COMESA, EAC and SADC) under EU funding with aim to increase intra-regional trade flows of goods, persons and services.

According to the Eng. Patrice UWASE and the Chair, the implementation of the program will lead to the reduction of costs and delays of imports/exports at specific border posts. It will also strategically facilitate the development of a more competitive, integrated and liberalised regional road transport market in the East and Southern African region.

This programme is relevant for the Agenda 2030. It contributes primarily to the progressive achievement of SDG target 9 (built resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster industrialisation), but also promotes progress towards Goal "Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all".  This does not imply a commitment by the Member States of SADC, COMESA and EAC benefiting from this programme.

Once effectively implemented, road transport policies, laws, regulations and standards will be harmonised leading to the efficient cross border road transport and transit networks, transport and logistics services, systems and procedures in the East and Southern African region.

Various stakeholders will benefit from this program including Private Sector- Service providers such as cross border transporters and clearing and forwarding agencies, port and maritime authorities in the transport and logistics industry.