Uruguayan Post to Offer e-Services

Uruguay’s postal service plans to create a website offering goods and services, as well as an Internet access point at its main branch in each provincial capital, Uruguayan daily El Observador reported. The project will benefit Uruguayans from the country’s interior, who don’t have the opportunity to shop in the capital Montevideo, as well as those without access to computers and credit cards, postal service VP Gustavo Osta said. Those without computers and credit cards will be able use the access point to select goods and pay for goods. To implement the system the post office is signing agreements with various companies that sell clothes, white goods and even tickets to shows and sports events. ‘The post office has an extensive network, which needs to be made profitable, and perceives this project as a business opportunity rather than one which threatens business,’ post office business manager Mario Pintos said. The service will begin as a 60 day pilot project to allow for any operating adjustments. If all goes well full commercial operations will begin in August.