The UPU has pledged renewed support for online commerce in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an important step for the economies of developing countries in the region.
Pledging support for e-commerce (from left to right): Botond Szebeny of PostEurop, Bishar A. Hussein of the UPU and Nurudin Mukhitdinov of the RCC.
UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein signed a joint declaration at a major postal conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, along with top officials from two associations representing Posts across Eurasia: PostEurop and the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC).
“E-commerce is a huge opportunity for Posts all over the world, including this specific geographic area,” said Botond Szebeny, secretary general of PostEurop.
Szebeny said that online commerce platforms could spur the growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, in developing countries.
“The traditional cross-border business has favoured the big enterprises, as it is easier for them to access foreign markets,” Szebeny said. “Through the channels of e-commerce, using well-designed electronic platforms, the SMEs have the chance to get directly and efficiently in contract with foreign customers.”
“This all contributes to fostering trade and economic growth,” he added.
Adopting technology
But postal companies must adopt new technologies while learning ways to improve security and efficiency to make e-commerce viable, he said. And this requires support that goes beyond borders.
The declaration is a milestone on the road to securing cutting-edge technology for e-commerce, according to a statement on the conference website.
“The signed declaration will enable the postal services, including Russian Post, to develop electronic services at a greater rate, due to the fact that the national postal operator will get access to the best known practices,” the statement reads.
The promotion of electronic services and innovation is a key strategy for Posts worldwide, said the UPU’s Hussein in a speech at the conference.
“These plans will help deliver the technical assistance developing countries need to set up or strengthen their postal networks and enable all Posts to take advantage of new opportunities,” said Hussein.
International parcel traffic increased by an average of 8.9% annually in the Europe and CIS region between 2006 and 2011, outpacing all other regions for that period.
And in mature e-commerce markets like Great Britain, business-to-consumer deliveries account for between 20% and 40% of estimated volumes.
The declaration was signed during the International Forum-Exhibition Pochtovaya Troika, which brings together government and private sector officials involved in the global postal system for discussions on technology, commerce and issues affecting Posts worldwide.
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