The Government is considering establishing customs stations in Loliondo and Sale divisions in Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region, subject to the areas meeting set criteria following an assessment.
Deputy Minister for Finance Mshamu Ali Munde told Parliament on Friday that the Government, through the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and other border management institutions, would assess the need for customs facilities in the two areas.
He was responding to Ngorongoro MP Yannick Ndoinyo, who sought clarification on the Government’s plans to establish customs stations along the border areas of Loliondo and Sale.
Mr Munde said the decision to establish customs stations is guided by several factors, including the strategic importance of a border, the population in the area and the volume of goods handled.
The criteria, he said, are intended to ensure customs stations are economically viable, efficient and do not impose unnecessary operational costs on the Government.
“The Government has established specific criteria that must be considered before establishing customs stations at border points to reduce operational costs and ensure efficiency,” Mr Munde said.
He said the Government recognised the importance of bringing customs services closer to communities and businesses operating in border areas.
According to him, establishing customs facilities where justified would help facilitate cross-border trade, improve revenue collection and strengthen controls over the movement of goods.
Mr Munde said TRA, working with other institutions responsible for border management, would conduct an assessment to establish whether customs stations were needed in Loliondo and Sale and whether the areas met the required criteria.
“If the assessment establishes the need to establish the stations, the Government will include the project in its plans and budgets in accordance with national priorities,” he said.
The Government, he added, would continue working to bring customs services closer to citizens and traders while strengthening measures to combat smuggling and improve oversight of cross-border trade.