Nairobi — Clearing of goods within the East African Community could come to down to hours when Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania revenue authorities link their systems.

When the One-Stop Border Post system is implemented, in 2010, it will strengthen inter-agency cooperation for efficient border management. Revenue authorities, police, immigration, and other relevant authorities at border stations would work together under one roof.

Customs commissioner Wambui Namu said businesses waste a lot of time clearing goods partly due to lack of the right documents or pressure on Kenya Revenue Authority's system.

"To facilitate trade and integrate regional economies we have to eliminate any redundancy that would cause any delay," Mrs Namu said during the opening of a two-day seminar on the system. "It now takes 10 days or more to clear cargo but we want it to come down to two days although we feel the ideal period should be two to three hours at land borders," Mrs Namu added.

Assistant Finance minister Oburu Oginga said that the level of trade in EAC has presented enormous challenges to the activities of common borders such as inadequate information communication systems for cross-border activities.