The Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordinating Authority (NCTTCA), in partnership with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and the East African Business Council hosted a Regional Conference on Northern Corridor Transport and Trade Facilitation between 29th September to October 1st 2009, in Mombasa, Kenya.

The conference, whose theme was “Toward the reduction of the cost of doing business”, attempted to identify the salient factors contributing to the high logistics costs and the high cost of doing business using the Northern Corridor, with a view to agree on necessary policy reforms that require to be undertaken within agreed timeframes.

Towards the above end, the conference discussed the challenges and operations of the port of Mombasa including issues on port congestions, the cotnainer freight stations, and port documentation/procedures. The confernce also considered the improvement and development of Northern Corridor infrastructure, with specific focus on roads, rail and pipeline modes of transport. The introduction of Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) methodology to mobilize resources for infrastructure development will aso be considered.

In addition, the Conference, dealt with the elimination of non-tarrif barriers; and other facilitation measures, that include: customs administrative measures, one stop border posts initiatives, ICT use in customs clearance and pre-clearing of goods, as well as in the monitoring movement of transit goods. Challenges posed inadequacies in the private sector, corruption, lack of knowledge and capacity will also be discussed.

Finally, the conference discussed the non-implementation of regional protocols and agreements in the area of trade and transport facilitation.