The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) will be hosting transport and trade experts from across the continent as part of a three-day Continental Trade and Transport Conference which will run from Tuesday, 30 July till 1 August 2024 at Capital on the Park Hotel in Sandton.
The rationale behind the conference is to provide a platform to different role players who have an interest in the fields of transport and trade to have an honest and critical discussions on how to address issues that hamper intra-Africa trade, with specific reference to regulatory regimes, infrastructure development and financing. It is for this reason that the conference will draw the participation of Africa’s Continental Bodies, Regional Economic Communities, Transport Authorities, Banking and Development Finance Institutions, Government Institutions, Academic Institutions and other diverse key role players in the transport and trade sector. Their key role is to deliberate on key infrastructure challenges, regulatory regimes and funding challenges that impede cross-border trade and transport movements on the continent.
The three-day programme will have different topics of discussion and each day will conclude with a panel discussion consisting of industry experts. The deliberations and updates on flagship infrastructure projects as well as reforms will pave the way for the adoption of a collaborative approach towards infrastructure development and financing between governments and the private sector. In addition, the discussions will lead to the prioritisation of key infrastructure projects that qualify for private sector funding with a view to bring these programmes to implementation.
“We are proud as the C-BRTA, under the leadership of the Minister of Transport and the Board of Directors that we have convened this conference. We are hopeful that by the end of day three, we would have come up with tangible proposals and solutions to the problems that affect efficient transportation and trade on the continent,” said the CEO of the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency, Mr Lwazi Mboyi.
(Facts about the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency)
• The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) is a statutory body, situated in Eco Park, Centurion. The mandate of the C-BRTA is set out in terms of the Cross-Border Road Transport Act 4, of 1998, as amended (the Act). It operates in a commercial environment, with Government (represented by the Minister of Transport) being the shareholder.
• The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) facilitates unimpeded flow of freight and passenger cross-border movements and plays a critical role in the implementation of cross-border road transport agreements and issuing of cross-border operator permits.
• The Agency regulates all passenger and freight Cross-Border Road Transport from South Africa into the Southern African Development Community Region (SADC).
• Cross-Border Road Transport is underpinned by multilateral and bilateral agreements between South Africa and several of its neighbouring countries under the auspices of the Cross- Border Road Transport Agency and the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology, including the SACU Memorandum of Understanding.
• The SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications, and Meteorology highlights the fact that the transport sector has a regional and global character and as such, seeks to promote integration and co-operation in transport matters between member states.
Core Functional Areas
• Law Enforcement – monitors the carriers through country-wide inspections and ensures that carriers operate within the prescribed legal parameters
• Facilitation and Industry Development- ensures that consultations and partnerships with other key role players within South Africa and SADC are fostered and maintained.
• Regulatory – responsible for the issuing of all cross-border road transport permits.
• Research and Advisory – advises the Minister of Transport on regional road transport imperatives and challenges. This function also monitors and counteracts any restrictive measures that may be implemented by other states in the SADC region.
