Overview:
John Musinguzi, the URA Commissioner General, welcomed the development and appreciated the KPA team for the support they extend to Uganda in the area of trade facilitation. “We should continue to improve the relationship to make trade seamless,” he noted.
Betty Mkonyi, the Country Representative of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), has revealed they are in the final stages of launching a new product called “Cargo Pay,” where traders will be able to make payments to KPA using their phones and in their local currencies.
According to Mkonyi, this product will be launched in Uganda, in January.
“It will make it easier for traders to pay, and sensitization is currently ongoing for all stakeholders,” she added.
Mkonyi made this revelation during a courtesy visit to Uganda Revenue Authority.
She and her team provide support to Ugandan traders who use the Mombasa port. They also assist traders in making payments through Stanbic Uganda; this has helped solve the challenge of traders having to send money to Kenya or travel to Kenya to make payments.
John Musinguzi, the URA Commissioner General, welcomed the development and appreciated the KPA team for the support they extend to Uganda in the area of trade facilitation. “We should continue to improve the relationship to make trade seamless,” he noted.
The Kenya government in September said it would remove deposit fees on containers carrying Ugandan good at Mombasa Port, a decision that Ugandan business community welcomed.
Kenya Ports Authority has been charging US$3,000 (Shs11.1m) per container, which Ugandan business community have always been demanding that it should be scrapped.
According to the standards, importers face a $40 daily charge 15 days from the time their goods reach the country, besides the $3000 deposit paid to the shipping line.
If the trader fails to return the container on time, he or she forfeits it.