Significant Progress Made in Modernising Postal Services

Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says significant progress has been made in the modernisation of the island’s postal services.
“Already, we have achieved 100 per cent automation of the tracking and tracing system for parcels; 90 per cent automation of the Registered Mail Unit; and 97 per cent achievement of all the targets for Express Mail Service, which is now ranked 22nd worldwide and third in the Caribbean – an achievement about which all of us can be proud,” he said.
The Minister was making his contribution to the 2010/11 Sectoral Debate in the House, today (July 20).
Mr. Vaz said that additionally, incoming mail processing operations at the Central Sorting Office (CSO) have been streamlined, which has significantly increased the efficiency in international mail delivery.
The Minister also told the House that there have been significant improvements in the area of border protection and control which, over the last two years, recorded a 90 per cent decrease in the amount of narcotics packaged in international outbound mail.
“This is as a result of the implementation of a high-end imaging machine used to detect contraband. This, of course, has resulted in Jamaica’s postal services having a more positive image, internationally, among postal partners. Interestingly, too, greater comfort regarding our security on outbound mail has led to faster processing of our mail by international Customs, especially in the United States,” Mr. Vaz informed.