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256175
Sun, 09/23/2012 - 20:33
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http://m.oananews.org//node/256175
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New Doha International Airport Will Spur Postal Business
Doha, September 23 (QNA) - Postal business will take off once the New Doha International Airport begins full operations, Qatar Post chairman said here Sunday ahead of the official opening ceremony of the 25th Universal Postal Congress in Doha.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Chairman designate for the 25th Universal Postal Congress and Q-Post Chairman Abdul Rahman Ali Al Aqaily said, "There will be a boost to postal business once the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) is fully functional.
"The movement of parcels will be swift and efficient. The NDIA has assigned two locations for Q-Post, one in the customer area and the other in the airport besides the post management office." Aqaily spoke to QNA after the official media conference today, organised to announce the details of the 25th Universal Postal Congress being hosted in Qatar from September 24 to October 15 with more than 1,500 delegates in attendance at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and Universal Postal Union Director General Edouard Dayan spoke to the media at the conference hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage at West Bay.
Addressing the media HE Dr Al Kuwari said, "The world is undergoing rapid changes which call for a new postal strategy. The theme of the Congress, New world, new strategy, will address these challenges." The ministerial conference schedule here for October 8 gains significance in the backdrop of the global challenges to Post, the minister said. "This Congress is important for all stake holders to discuss the future road map of postal sector," he said.
Replying to a QNA question on the challenges the Arab world is facing, HE Dr Al Kuwari, said, "The Arab world is witnessing change, we hope it is for the better. The Universal Postal Union or any international organisation where multiple stake holders are involved cannot ignore the global changes and challenges."
Speaking at the conference, UPU Director General Edouard Dayan said the original principles that have guided the UPU since its creation almost 140 years ago still apply today.
"The UPU is devoted to building a worldwide postal territory and creating a world without borders, giving every citizen a chance to communicate and exchange through the postal network, as well as organizing the free movement of messages, goods and money to facilitate communication and trade," said Dayan.
On postal services facing stiff competition from new social media used for communication and the Internet, Al Aqaily, told QNA, "Realistically there is no way to compete with it by normal mail. The volume of out bound mail from Qatar is not what it used to be due to the Internet and other tools of communication that modern technology offers.
"E-mails and social media have changed the way people communicate. Even how we communicate via telephone has change. These days you can see the other person on your telephone screen. To be honest, such new technology has affected the business, but we are endeavouring to find solutions."
Postal services are now concentrating other areas to develop business like parcels and registered mails, Al Aqaily said.
Independent studies back this business strategy with the spurt in e-retail.
According to Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) estimates, 96% of e-shoppers will return to online retail shopping this during the festival season this winter. 26% consumers expect to spend more online this year while 41% will consider purchasing goods using their smart mobile phones and 71% of tablet owners will do the same.
All such online retail transactions will boost movement of goods through post and other parcel services, officials said optimistically. (QNA)