Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 10, 2016 (SKNIS): The Honourable Ian Patches Liburd, Minister of Posts, said that post offices worldwide play a fundamental role in stimulating the global economy and improving livelihoods, during his address to commemorate World Post Day 2016, on October 09.
“We cannot therefore, underestimate the pivotal role that the postal services can play within the national economy,” said Minister Liburd. “Postal financial services, as well as parcels and logistic services, also provide opportunities for increased revenues for the St. Kitts and Nevis Postal Service, considering that it is projected that revenues from these services worldwide would account for more than 20 percent of postal business.”
Minister Liburd made mention of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) world postal strategy for 2017-2020, noting that it has identified the postal sector reform as the key driver for the future, while focusing on World Post Day 2016 theme “Innovation, Integration and Inclusion”, as main factors that will drive postal business.
“With the United Nations (UN) outlined Sustainable Goals which have been embraced worldwide, postal services have an even more relevant role to play as an infrastructure for development,” said Minister Liburd, while adding that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis embraces both the UPU’s Postal Strategy and the UN’s Sustainable Goals. [We] therefore commit to the comprehensive development of all facets of its postal service”
The Minister of Posts said that member countries of the UPU moved swiftly to establish post code systems to make the delivery of mails easier.
“In keeping with the UPU’s mandate for postal services worldwide to establish post code systems in order to improve efficiency and accuracy of mail delivery, and following the Caribbean Postal Union’s requirements – that all its members urgently move in this direction, the St. Kitts and Nevis Postal Service along with other regional entities has sought to establish post code systems,” he said. “In addition to improving the mail delivery system, the postal code also contributes to the optimization of resources, saving on time and operating cost, as well as a reduction in return, undelivered and misdirected mails.”
Minister Liburd encouraged persons and businesses to use their post codes. He noted that by doing this, it will assist the St. Kitts and Nevis Postal Service in providing greater efficiency within the mail sorting and delivery process.
