BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: Qatar’s General Postal Corporation (Q-Post) is set to launch a host of new services, including an iPhone application service which will enable its customers to trace their posts and parcels 24x7, a senior official of the corporation told The Peninsula on the sidelines of the 25th Universal Postal Congress (UPC) yesterday.
The launch of the parcel tracking service and a more user-friendly new website will be made just after the end of the ongoing Congress (October 15). However, the official remained tight-lipped about the future plans of the Corporation.
While replying to a question about the impact of the Internet and other communication technologies on Q-Post’s services, Fadhel Hajis Al Kaabi (pictured), Director of Management System and Information Committee of Congress Conference 2012, said: “There is no doubt that advancement in communication technologies has impacted the postal services globally, but we are trying to utilise the very technology for the revival and enhancement of our services. For instance, Q-Post will soon launch iPhone enabled applications to track the exact status of customers’ parcels, anywhere, anytime.”
“Not only this, to serve our customers, better, we are also going to launch a new website after the Congress, which will be more effective, informative and useful,” added Al Kaabi.
He also said that with the help of the service, clients will be updated and notified about their posts and parcels until the final delivery. This will help customers and Q-Post save time and resources.
Initially the services will be available only to the iPhone users, but once the initiative is proved successful, it will be extended to Android-based smartphone users too.
Meanwhile, the Congress is discussing ways and policy framework on the development of postal markets, postal economics and how the postal services can facilitate worldwide trade. The committee members made presentations on unlocking the potential of the postal sector to facilitate trade for micro, small and medium enterprises.
Asked to comment about the role of Q-Post in the growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in realising the goal of a diversified economy, he said: “Qatar’s participation in the “Dot-post” will revolutionise the economic activities in the next five years. We are planning to promote trade by providing better facilities and value added services to the companies, especially SMEs.”
Public postal services worldwide, including Qatar, are facing stiff competition from the private operators which is forcing them to provide better services at more competitive prices for their survival.
“The tough competition coming from the private companies are motivating us to make our services cost effective and efficient; and Qatar’s strategic location for the Middle East, East Asia and Europe will help us to facilitate trade and commerce in the region,” added Al Kaabi.
Asked if Q-Post have plans to provide special rebate or subsidised pricing policy to establish it as the most preferred service for supply-chain, he said: “We are going to cooperate more and more with the companies to do business together for mutual benefit. Currently they (companies) are approaching us, but soon we will be approaching them. The Peninsula
