Postal unions face many challenges

Representatives from the Universal Postal Union (UPU), Pan African Union (PAU), Postal Operators Associations and representatives from different African countries have expressed their views on the challenges that the postal sector is facing within the developing countries. The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport, engineer Kudenga says the postal service unions in developing countries are witnessing dramatic changes in recent years, which includes, deregulation and globalization of markets, commercialization and new technologies such as internet and electronic commerce among other changes. He also noted that in response to these changes Zimbabwe has embarked on an extensive five year postal reform program in an effort to position our postal service more competitively in a rapidly changing environment. Engineer Kudenga also noted that inline with the requirements of the new Post and Telecommunications Act of year 200 former Post and Telecommunications Corporation was divided into three commercial entities, Telone for the fixed network, NetOne for cellular business and Zimpost for postal services. Zimpost managing director Mrs Gladys Mutyavaviri also echoed the same sentiments saying the postal sector is facing challenges, emanating from environmental changes both locally, regionally and internationally. Hence she called other postal sectors to develop new financial systems and approaches in an effort to embrace the changes. Mrs. Gladys Mutyavaviri also took the opportunity to thank the Universal Postal Union for developing cost accounting models for developing countries which she says will go a long way to ensure implementation of robust pricing and cost systems within African countries.