Luanda — Angola's National Customs Department officials started this week in Mozambique a cycle of upgrading programmes on customs cooperation, management, procedures in the origin and transit.

According to a note from the Embassy of Angola to Mozambique that reached Angop Thursday, the initiative is part of the effort of the Customs to train its staff in the various domains, in view of Angola's historical and future responsibility in the process of regional integration.

The note further states that the team, comprising eight officials, will exchange experience with Mozambican colleagues within the framework of the pre-agreed programme, in view of the theoretical and practical implications of the trade protocol of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

"The main challenge to the implementation of the free trade in the region is to secure the reduction of tariffs and avert negative impacts on poorer or less developed member States, a purpose also sought by Angola, although it has not year joined the region's free trade," reads the note.

The SADC free trade zone became officially effective in August this year, during the Summit of heads of State and Government held in Johannesburg, South Africa.