Tag: Brunei Post

The future of traditional postal services, over the past decade at least, is looking glum due to the increasing popularity of more convenient and quicker methods of communication.

During its prime, the Department of Postal Services handled over 22 million mail items annually from 1990 to 1995. The number has significantly lower in the last six years. In 2001 the department handled 13,245,798 pieces of mail, which includes letters, registered mail and postcards. A year later the figure fell to 10,439,846 and dropped to 9,390,420 in 2003, a six-year low.

There was an increase however to 9,735,119 pieces of mail in 2004, to 11,455,588 in 2005 and 11,524,555 in 2006.

Bolhassan believes however, that postal services will not be deemed obsolete just yet.

The department has given greater attention to business mail and is planning to provide its customers with new value-added services. One of these newly added services is hybrid mail, which enables government agencies, corporate clients and other bulk mailers to post monthly notices and bills.

Launched earlier at the opening of the new Mentiri Post office, the hybrid mail service allows an increased volume to be sent to customers, thus saving time and money.

In addition, the department is in the process of installing an automation counter to all 24 post offices throughout the country for the convenience of its clients. Through these automation counters, the public will be able to pay their water, electricity and telephone bills as well as renew their driving licenses and road tax.

According to Bolhassan, the department, under its Client’s Charter, promises “J+1”, which means delivery by the next working day.

The Postal Services Department will be introducing a new service, Hybrid Mail, in November, Postmaster General Hj Abd Kadir Tengah disclosed recently.

Hybrid mail allows customers to send in their letters via e-mail to the department, which will then sort it out electronically, prints it and delivers it in physical form to the intended recipient.

The introduction of the service is to ensure the rapid process and delivery of letters to customers.

During the gathering, the postmaster general also mentioned the department’s progress since last year, in particular the 92 per cent rise in delivery services for the month of September 2007 alone.

The performance of their counter services, considered as the frontline of the postal department, is at their best, said the postmaster general, who added that the department is currently offering the best services to the public especially with the addition of modernised equipment such as automated counter services.

In addition to the upgrading of its equipment, the department is also constantly encouraging its human resource and service staff to improve them selves, so that the quality of service will also be upgraded.

Department employees are given the opportunity to join training programs whether in the country or overseas, to keep them up-to-date with the current postal processes and services available in the world.

Hj Abd Kadir pointed out two factors that are of importance to the progress and development of the department: courier services and ICT.

The postmaster general also highlighted the challenges that the department faces, in particular maintaining its overall sustainability.

The department is determined to maintain its focus on its overall services, especially its quality and functions, so that everything it does is relevant and appropriate towards its aim of becoming a communication hub and connecting the community.