Zambia, Malawi in Tobacco Revenue Loss

Source from:  Zambia Daily Mail  06/24/2013

ZAMBIA and Malawi have continued to lose revenue through illegal cross border trade of tobacco despite measures put in place to curb the vice.

The revelation came to light during a bilateral meeting between the Tobacco Board of Zambia and the Tobacco Control Commission of Malawi recently.

The meeting between the two parties is aimed at addressing the illegal cross border trade of tobacco which has become rampant between the two countries.

This is contained in a statement availed to the Daily Mail on Friday by first secretary for press at the Zambian Embassy in Malawi Chansa Kabwela.

Officiating at the meeting, Malawi Agriculture Minister Peter Mwanza said the illegal trade is perpetrated by vendors who act as middlemen for buyers and establish buying points along the borders.

Mr Mwanza said vendors in some cases give farming inputs to the tobacco farmers with a view to get tobacco after harvesting season.

"The problem of illegal cross border trade in tobacco has continued to pervade every border and efforts put in place to combat it have not been effective," he said.

He said measures such as confiscation of tobacco from illegal traders and the use of community police have not been effective because perpetrators are sophisticated.

The minister called for concerted efforts between Zambia and Malawi to address illegal smuggling.

He urged the two tobacco bodies to focus on border patrols and review the regulatory framework of the two countries to maximise on the synergies.

Mr Mwanza underscored the importance of involving tobacco associations, growers, and security personnel in the fight against illegal trade of tobacco if meaningful results are to be realised.

Meanwhile, Mr Mwanza has commended Zambian security personnel for confiscating 27 bales of flue cured tobacco from illegal traders and surrendering it to the Malawian authorities. Enditem