Mbanza Congo – Truck drivers on Luanda/Cabinda route, with transit in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) believe that an agreement will soon be reached with the neighboring country on the regulation of reciprocal customs fees.
According to the president of the Association of Road Transport of Goods of Angola (ATROMA, António Gavião Neto, who was speaking to the press Friday, in Mbanza Congo, the optimism lies in the fact that talks are taking place between Angola and the DRC authorities for that purpose.
He explained that had received guarantees from the General Tax Administration Council (AGT) and the Angolan National Land Transport Agency (ATTA), that an agreement on this matter could soon be signed.
The president of ATROMA said that its members will continue to pay the current customs fees charged by the neighboring country, which are around more than four thousand dollars, for each Angolan truck that transits through that territory, while waiting for the signing of the reciprocal tax table.
“We have information that the Executive is committed to having a legal Act approved within seven days that will harmonize the table of customs fees in both countries”, he said.
António Gavião Neto said that the concern of the Angolan Executive, in relation to this problem, comforts the class of national truck drivers and demonstrates the interest in considering the disproportionate rates charged by the customs services of the two countries.
On the occasion, he asked members of the association and other operators to calmly and serenely await guidance from the Angolan government.
It should be noted that truck drivers from Democratic Congo, who travel through Angolan territory, pay only 50 dollars.
The Association of Road Transport of Goods of Angola (ATROMA) announced, last Saturday, in Mbanza Congo (Zaire), the stoppage of truck circulation on the Luanda/Cabinda route, in protest against the unilateral measure taken by the Congolese authorities to raise customs fees.
ATROMA has existed in the country for 20 years and has 50 members and a fleet of 5,000 goods transport vehicles. The association's goal is to defend the rights of national truck drivers. DA/PMV/AC/DOJ
