TPG welcomes amendments to decision on postal tariffs

TPG welcomes the decision by the Minister of Economic Affairs, Mr Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, regarding a shortening of the duration of the freeze of postal tariffs.

Following a debate in a parliamentary cross-party group the Minister decided not to enact a decision proposed in November 2002 to freeze postal tariffs in the Netherlands until the end of 2006.

The Minister has decided that there will first have to be an overall vision on the future of the postal market, which will be ready by next autumn. This reflects TPG’s view, which has constantly stated that a decision about tariffs should be taken in the broader context of an overall policy for the postal market. As an interim measure, the Minister has decided to freeze the postal tariffs (the mandatory part of mail business subject to the present price control system) until the end of 2004.

TPG is pleased that the intended decision for a longer-term tariff freeze has been dropped. As TPG Post delivers the best quality service of all European postal companies, whilst ensuring one of the lowest rates, the company does not see any reason for a tariff freeze.

This is also highlighted by the fact that inflation during the past 12 years was some 42 percent, whilst the price of a stamp has increased by only 13 percent. So Dutch consumers have benefited substantially from efficiency gains within the TPG Post organisation.