Dutch TNT, Japan Post still talk on cooperation

Dutch mail and express deliveries group TNT NV is still talking with Japan Post about a potential cooperation, after previously the companies could not agree on a joint venture, TNT CEO Peter Bakker said on October 10, 2006.

TNT said at the end of June 2006, it could not agree terms with Japan Post about a planned international express deliveries joint venture.

According to Bakker, Japan Post, which is slated for privatisation, did not want to make some long-term commitments required for the deal to go through. Talks between the two companies are now focused on other cooperation opportunities. The CEO could not say when an agreement could be expected.

TNT is advising Japan Post in the course of its ongoing privatisation.

(Editor’s note: Japan accounts for 33 pct of the Asian express deliveries market. Japan Post has a domestic market share of about 10 pct, while with a share of 20.5 pct, TNT is market leader in Europe, according to the Dutch News Digest.)