TANZANIA: BELGIAN COMPANY ALLAYS FEARS OF E-WINDOW SYSTEM PRICE

An electronic single window system for cargo clearance at Dar es Salaam port has fetched the least price available on the local market, a Belgian firm contracted to supply and install the eSWS has said.

Phaeros Group BVBA, General Manager, Stan De Smet said the price for the system is available for the public to see but declined to give details. "About the price of this contract I will not make any statement.

It was a public opening of the tenders so the exact price can be checked at any time," Mr De Smet said. "I can assure you that single window is making very good process, in spite of the difficulties we encounter," De Smet pointed out.

He cherished support being given by the majority of the port community although a few are still opposed to the project. "As you will well know, if you have made some enquiries about the implementation of Single Window in other countries, it is a very intensive and time consuming project," he stressed.

The Phaeros GM further pointed out that preparations of the project took more than six years hence facing new unexpected situations.

Some port stakeholders have aired concerns from reports that Tanzania Ports Authority and Phaeros have entered the contract worth 5m US dollars (over 8.3bn/- ) saying the deal would add to cargo freight and clearing charges.