Tag: Middle East

Global monitoring system gets the green light

Posted by | Aug 5, 2008 | |

The UPU will focus its efforts on finalising a new global monitoring system for the quality of service, which is expected to become operational in 2010.
Member countries unanimously adopted a proposal to develop and implement a global monitoring system to evaluate the quality of service for incoming priority letter-post items and the quality of service link to terminal dues (what countries pay each other for processing each other’s incoming international mail). The system will also be used to evaluate how successful postal operators are in improving their quality of service through projects financed by the UPU’s Quality of Service Fund.

Independent external auditors will measure the quality of service by sending priority letter-post test items through the network of participating postal operators. Using RFID technology, the system will measure the time an operator takes to deliver test items from the time these items are handed over. The system will then compare the results with the designated UPU body’s delivery standards for incoming international letter post, which will be compatible with each designated postal operator’s published domestic delivery standards.

A pilot project to evaluate possible RFID technical solutions was conducted with three Gulf-region countries, namely Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, from March to June this year. The UPU has now launched a call for tender to identify the solution that will be used for the global monitoring system.

“The UPU has made great efforts over the years to improve the quality of service, but we must improve across the board,” said Carlos da Silva from Portugal, which fully supported the proposal. “The system will imply a great deal of investment but it is worth it, and I believe everyone should do their bit.”

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Aramex Delivers Strong Results for First Half of 2008

Posted by | Aug 3, 2008 | |

Aramex announced that for the second quarter ending June 30, 2008, revenues rose from AED 437.5 million to AED 539.3 million, resulting in double-digit growth of 23pct over the same period in 2007. Second quarter net profits climbed 15pct to AED 38.4 million, compared to AED 33.5 million for the same period in 2007.

Overall, net profits for the first half of 2008 climbed by 18pct to AED 74.6 million from AED 63.4 million for the first half of 2007. Revenues for the first six months of 2008 also registered 23pct growth, climbing to AED 1033.7 million, from AED 837.0 million for the same period in 2007.

Driven by increases in fuel prices, in addition to escalating operating and overhead costs, Aramex’s total overhead as a percentage of revenues increased to 41pct in the second quarter 2008 compared to 39pct for the same quarter of 2007.

So far, the global logistics provider has been able to achieve its positive results without comprising its strong commitment to environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable business activities.

During the first half of 2008, Aramex was involved in a number of landmark sustainability-related projects, including the introduction of hybrid cars into its ground fleet, and the adoption of eco-friendly packages across all operations.

1 AED = 0.272244 USD

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Strengthening the foothold in Saudi Arabia

Posted by | Jul 29, 2008 | |

Kuehne + Nagel entered Saudi Arabia in 1976 via a 50/50 joint venture with E.A. Juffali & Bros., Orient Transport Company. Following a change in domestic legislation, it acquired the remaining shares from the joint venture partner in 2007. Now, since mid-July 2008, the national company is operating under the global Kuehne + Nagel brand as Kuehne + Nagel Ltd.
Werner Kleymann, Regional Manager Middle East at Kuehne + Nagel, “The establishment of a wholly-owned national company in Saudi Arabia provides us with significant strategic and operational advantages. Customers can now fully leverage the quality and scope of our globally standardised business and IT processes together with our comprehensive portfolio of forwarding and logistics services. At the same time, with a professional national management team now in place, we can consistently pursue our investment and development objectives in the Kingdom in terms of both operations and staffing.”
The national company is firmly positioned in the Saudi sea- and airfreight markets – a strong foundation for the continued expansion of the oil & gas logistics business. Contract logistics, the Group’s third business pillar, will be set up in the course of this year and see considerable investments in 2009.
Kuehne + Nagel Ltd. is headquartered in Jeddah and operates branches in Riyadh and Dammam. The company employs 80 staff.

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Mumtaz Post ensures swift delivery of documents and parcels to over 100 countries

Posted by | Jul 22, 2008 | |

Emirates Post’s Express Mail Service (EMS) or Mumtaz Post, which offers swift delivery of documents and parcels to over 100 countries through the global postal network, has been enhanced with value additions, including free insurance, money-back guarantee and tracking facility.

Emirates Post has launched a campaign to promote Mumtaz Post as an efficient and cost-effective service that gives customers total peace of mind and unmatched benefits.

The maximum weight and size vary from country to country. In most countries a maximum weight limit of 30 kgs (per item) applies. However, some countries allow higher or lower limits, and a detailed list is available at post offices. In general, the sum of the length and the greatest circumference must not exceed 3 metres.

Rates vary depending on the weight and destination of the postal item. Uniform charges apply within any emirate and between emirates. Post-dated payment facilities and monthly discounts are granted to contracted bodies.

All items accepted by Mumtaz Post are insured (free of charge) against delay, loss and damage.

In the case of loss or damage, the consignor will be paid up to a maximum of Dhs15,000 per item.

Compensation of up to (and not exceeding) Dhs20,000 per item may be paid for additional expenses, loss of market, reproduction costs and similar losses occurring as a result of delay, loss or damage.

The money back guarantee is not applicable if the item is returned by the customs from the destination country, if it is confiscated by the customs, if the address is wrong, if the delay is from the side of the destination country or if the item is detained by the destination country.

Each item under Mumtaz Post bears a bar code which enables the sender to track it by SMS or through the Emirates Post website .

Items under Mumtaz Post can be deposited at any post office in the UAE at normal postal hours.

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Q-Post confident to win postal congress bid

Posted by | Jul 21, 2008 | |

Qatar has very good chances of winning the bid to host the 25th Universal Postal Union Congress in 2012 “in view of the broad Arab and world support it enjoys and of its long and internationally-recognised experience in organising world-class gatherings and conferences”, an official source said yesterday.

The country, to host the conference, has to secure a majority of votes of the 191 member-states which are meeting for the 24th UPU Congress in Geneva from July 23 to August 13.

A delegation representing the General Postal Corporation (Q-Post) headed by its chairman and general manager Ali Mohamed al-Ali will participate in the congress in Geneva.

In an interview with QNA, al-Ali expressed confidence that “Qatar’s potentials and its long experience in hosting conferences and international events besides its well-established security and stability, are all factors that qualify Doha to host the UPU Congress”.

Qatar Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Abdulla Falah al-Dosari, has assured the UPU of Qatar’s preparedness to host the UPU congress in 2012 and to offer all necessary facilities to make this event a success, he said.

More than 1,500 delegates from the UPU’s 191 member-countries will attend the congress.

The UPU has the objective to develop social, cultural and commercial communication between people through the efficient operation of the postal service. As an inter-governmental institution, the UPU is called upon to play an important leadership role in promoting the continued revitalisation of postal services.

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