The Ethiopian Customs Commission announced it has started giving import-export customs service at its Hawassa branch on July 8, 2019. The new location will help decentralise the service, which so far has been focused on Merkato, the biggest market area situated in Addis Abeba. It also helps cut costs and efforts of traders who had to travel all the way to Addis Abeba seeking the service, as well as enabling people in the area to obtain goods at fair prices, according to the Commission. The service is also expected to increase the competitiveness of traders in the region, along with helping lessen illegal schemes related to customs.