Alexander Kiselev: Business diversification will help Russian Post to become a winner after the crisis

The press conference with the Director General of FSUE Russian Post Alexander Kiselev and the Director General of the UPU International Bureau Edouard Dayan took place during the 9th International Forum “Pochtovaya Troika 2009” on 2 July 2009.

The press conference with the Director General of FSUE Russian Post Alexander Kiselev and the Director General of the UPU International Bureau Edouard Dayan took place during the 9th International Forum “Pochtovaya Troika 2009” on 2 July 2009.

Summarizing the results of the forum, Alexander Kiselev noted that the latter meeting in St.Petersburg comprised further development of the discussion, which began in Berne at the session of the UPU International Bureau in April, regarding the consequences of the global crisis for world postal industry. According to Mr.Kiselev, “Pochtovaya Troika” confirmed the idea that downfall in “physical” volumes of postal items did not critically affected postal operators – most of them turned out to be ready for difficulties using business diversification.

“The international experience, presented at the forum, is highly useful for Russian Post” – Mr.Kiselev noted.

The Director General of Russian Post told to the invited newsmen about that services which had been introduced by postal operators of other countries. In particularly, he told about the technology of “virtual operator” – Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), which will also enable the clients of Russian Post to order necessary postal services by means of a special SIM-card (by SMS, for example). Another perspective direction to diversify Russian Post services is granting of short-term microcredits. “This service is just unique. Russian Post will certainly keep it in mind in order to introduce in future” – Alexander Kiselev said. Besides, the enterprise will continue to carry on the reconstruction of postal offices, renovation of automotive park and construction of automated sorting centers.

While answering the newsmen’s question Alexander Kiselev said that USD 3.09 billion program of FSUE Russian Post modernization, which was offered in some state institutions, will not be cut due to the crisis. By the end of summer the Transport and Communications Committee under the chairmanship of Sergey Ivanov, the Vice Head of Russian Government, will examine this program and then after some amendments will forward it for approval by Russian Government.

The Director General of the UPU International Bureau Edouard Dayan informed the newsmen during the press conference that the global economic crisis demonstrated correctness of the Universal postal strategy, which was approved before the crisis. One of its important parts is widening of the range of the financial services provided by postal operators. These services are very popular in various countries because many people now do not trust banks, and the trust level of postal institutions is very high.

Some questions of mass media representatives were about the tariff policy in Russia and abroad, including the tariffs for delivery of subscripted press. While answering these questions Edouard Dayan noted that in fact the tariffs for delivery of subscripted press should be at that level, which can cover costs of the postal operator for this service. In case if the government according to its policy wishes to bear some of these costs and subsidize the press delivery, some discounts could be introduced.

Alexander Kiselev also added that in 2009 FSUE Russian Post will not change its postal tariffs.