MRA’s Commissioner for Customs & Excise, Fredrick Mpeusa, who was speaking during the 2023 annual conference for the Indigenous Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents (ICCAFA) on Saturday in Mangochi said ICCAFAs dedication and hard work gives MRA all a sense of pride.

Commissioner Mpeusa said ICCAFAs commitment has assisted both of them to achieve various major aspects including; ensuring that government revenue is collected, growing professionally able and effective clearing and forwarding agents and creating an enabling environment for indigenous Malawians.

“Strategically, both MRA and ICCAFA’s focus are similar as we are focused at facilitating legal trade and collecting correct amounts of government revenue and the group’s mission is promoting sanity, unity and professionalism in customs clearing and freight forwarding industry,” said Mpeusa.

Commissioner Mpeusa also assured their commitment to improve capacity for clearing and forwarding agents through training which boosts knowledge and technical abilities in order for MRA to better serve those who require its services.

Principal Secretary in the ministry of Trade and industry, Francis Zhuwao also said they will make sure that they enhance coordination so that the indigenous companies get what they deserve as they are very important.

“I am delighted to report that the ministry in collaboration with the ministry of transport and Malawi confederation of chambers of commerce and industry have established a logistics committee which is co-Chaired by a Clearing and Forwarding Agents representative,” said Zhuwao.

Reserve Bank of Malawi Deputy Governor, William Matambo, also highlighted ICCAFAs importance in the country’s economic development and asked them to raise their game and work with integrity so that they should not make losses.

He said, claims that some facilitate smuggling, abet smuggling and undervaluation of goods are always unpleasant and a threat to economic development. 

Vusi Chirwa, president of ICCAFA which has about 60 registered members, said they are doing their part and assured to serve people with due diligence despite some challenges.

“The 10 years we have been operating as ICCAFA have been both stressful and satisfying, like the issue of middlemen and some organizations ignoring a directive by the government that Indigenous Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents should handle 60 percent of their clearing jobs,” said Chirwa.