Correios to invest USD38mn in internet projects
Brazil’s state-owned postal service ECT, known as Correios, plans to invest 113mn reais (today US$38mn) in three Internet projects over the next five years, on top of 37mn reais already spent, according to AE Setorial.
The three projects – online shopping mall, Internet access and digital certification for tax identification numbers – should reach breakeven by 2007, Correios Internet manager AntAnio de Paulo Braquehais was quoted as saying.
At the end of August, Correios launched its online shopping mall, CorreiosNet Shopping, with online bookstore Magazine Luiza and retail Web site Submarino as partners. The company has seven stores established and another 27 setting up service.
CorreiosNet virtual shopping center costs 70 reais a month, and is linked to the company’s Sedex, e-Sedex and Exporta Facil services.
For its Internet access project, Correios installed terminals in 120 branches. It wants to reach 4,200 agencies by the end of this year, and has hired Unisys (NYSE: UIS) to supply the equipment. The company will offer email addresses with up to five megabytes of storage space.
Some companies have already indicated they are willing to sponsor the Internet access for some specific services, Braquehais said, adding that the normal Internet access costs will be cheap enough to “guarantee social inclusion.”
Finally, Correios is tendering a contract for a partner to provide digital certificates for Brazil’s tax identification numbers, known as CPFs. The tender should be completed by year-end, he said.
URL: http://www.bnamericas.com (C) Copyright 1996 – 2001 Business News Americas Ltda. All rights reserved.
