Harare — Frequent power cuts and poor internet connectivity being experienced at border posts are slowing down clearance of goods and dwindling volumes of trade for the forwarding sub-sector, an official said on Wednesday.

Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe president Joseph Musariri told New Ziana that players in the sector were losing business as a result of the delays.

"Our members have expressed concern over the time being spent at border posts where they are spending between twenty four hours and seven days before their goods are cleared," he said. "Areas where we are experiencing these challenges are mainly Harare, Beitbridge and Chirundu," he added.

Musariri said the electronic system that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority was using also delaying clearance of goods. "ZIMRA is using software called Asycuba World which is web-based and with the poor internet connectivity, it is proving difficult to connect the necessary information required in the process," he said.

"This system is fairly new and it is being constantly updated but some of these new changes are actually slowing down the process," he added. He said in the event of a power cut, the revenue authority was refusing to carry out the process manually.

"What happens is that every licensed clearing agent has a pre-payment account that has to be kept up to date and this can only be accessed through electronic records," he said, adding "it would be difficult for ZIMRA to clear goods without first verifying the account."

"Once there is a power cut all clearing business comes to a stop. "Musariri said the association was continuously engaging ZIMRA on ways of improving the system.

He said the delays were also creating unnecessary expenses such as storage charges being accrued and these had a ripple effect since they were then passed on to the importer right up to the consumer.