Developing Countries: Borders

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2008, Official Report, columns 1176-7W, on developing countries: borders, what information his Department has received from USAID on the steps it is taking to strengthen the Trans Kalahari and Maputo development corridors in 2008-09.

Mr. Douglas Alexander
The Department for International Development (DFID) receives monthly updates from the USAID Trade Hub based in Gaborone, Botswana.

USAID recently reported the endorsement given by Botswana's Ministry of Works and Transport for harmonising axle load limits for trucks moving along the Trans Kalahari Corridor. This measure should facilitate trade along the corridor.

USAID is also supporting the work of the Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI) for improving transport logistics along the Maputo Development Corridor. Some of the recent progress reported by USAID on their work with the MCLI include:

Co-funding the MCLI annual general meeting in May 2008.

Co-funding the MCLI open day in October 2008.

Providing technical assistance to the MCLI as well as other Maputo Corridor stakeholders (for example, in relation to Customs issues, one stop border post issues, transport costs, trade facilitation, etc).

Producing a Study on Sustainable Funding of Corridor Management Institutions which has led to funding being pledged to the MCLI.

Studies on Corridor Performance and Truck Stops to be produced in the next few months.

Further information on the USAID Trade Hub can be accessed at:

www.satradehub.org.