Simultaneous development of border points as trade facilitation: advocacy to aid supply chain of goods through the case of SADC road entry points

摘要

This article situates the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Road Entry Point Management Systems (REPMS) within international supply chain logistics. It exposes the influence of REPMS on the link between movement of goods and optimum supply chain performance. A novel transdisciplinary theoretical framework drawn from supply chain and international relations theories is applied to survey data from respondents at border points that link Zimbabwe to Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. The 345 respondents are international truck drivers and small and medium entrepreneurs. The authors argue that simultaneity of transformation of two-stop border posts to one-stop border posts is required in a logistical corridor. Findings show that failure to do so disrupts supply chain logistics, impedes international trade and hinders regional integration. Conclusions reveal that, inter alia, SADC REPMS are out of sync with non-state actors and international trade facilitation. Recommendations include cultivation of public-private partnerships for REPMS transformation.