19 Arab countries take part in first-ever UPU-conducted philately workshop at Emirates Post Training Centre

A UPU-conducted workshop on philately, the first of its kind in the regin, hosted by Emirates Post, was inaugurated at the Emirates Post Training & Development Centre, with 19 countries from the Arab Permanent Postal Commission (APPC) taking part.

The four-day event will highlight several philately-related issues, such as developing the youth market, technology in the manufacturing process, personalized stamps, security perforations and innovations in philately.

Inaugurating the workshop, Mr. Mohammed bin Shaker, Assistant Director General, Zones, Emirates Post, said: ‘The hosting of this workshop reflects Emirates Post’s commitment to encouraging philately in the region. This event is timely because it comes on the heels of the successful hosting of the 19th Asian International Stamp Exhibition and the 12th GCC Stamp Exhibition by Emirates Post in Dubai last month.’

Mr. Jean-Francois Logette, Philately & IRC Programme Manager, UPU International Bureau, welcomed the participants on behalf of UPU Director General Edouard Dayan and conveyed his good wishes to the UAE, especially in connection with the successful organizing of the recent UPU Strategy Conference in Dubai.

‘The UPU would like APCC countries to keep track of the latest developments in philately. The APCC is one of the active units of UPU and we would like to boost sales of stamps in Arabic countries, and introduce them to concepts like customized and personalized stamps,’ Mr. Logette said.

‘Emirates Post is proud to host this first-ever UPU philately workshop in the region as it will throw light on different philatelic tools for the benefit of Arab countries,’ said Mrs. Wiaam Shihab Ghanem, Manager, Training and Development Centre and Acting Manager, HR, Emirates Post. ‘As the authorized TRAINPOST programme centre, the Training and Development Centre is pleased to host this event. We invite the participants to try out our new personalized stamps.’

Over the next four days, the workshop will be addressed by Mr. Mohamed Bahloul, Director of Philately, Tunisia; Mr. Louise Virgile, Cultural and Commercial Director, La Poste, France; Ms. Irena Kyrincovicova, Sales & Marketing Director, The Slovak Post, Ms. Hiba Belbachir, Philately Marketing & Promotions, Poste Maroc and Mr. Jean-Francois Logette.