Asia Pacific postal operators are adopting new but diverse strategies to respond to declining mailvolumes, increased competition and a more deregulated environment. Business models vary from
renewing core products and services, diversification into new areas and public-privatepartnerships, senior executives told the Asia Pacific Mail & Express 2006 conference inSingapore this week. Growth areas include home parcel delivery of online purchases, financialservices and advertising mail.Japan Post is restructuring ready for privatisation in October 2007 but has also launched arange of new products, said Shuji Obu, vice-president international strategy and affairs. It hasupgraded its Yu-Pack small parcel service with faster delivery and special options, and offers itthrough 37,500 outlets in cooperation with convenience store groups. Japan Post also has a newbusiness mail venture with Mitsubishi Bank, and entered the logistics sector through the cargoairline alliance with ANA, he pointed out.
Korea Post is focusing on “consumer-friendly” services with improved quality, innovativeprocesses and diversified services, director general Kyung-won Jung said. Sri Lanka Post is puttinga strong focus on new financial services and targeting niche segments, according to postmastergeneral Shervyn Senadeera. Pakistan Post will launch a new courier company with acompetitively-priced, mid-market express service, and will also upgrade automation and IT systems,revealed deputy postmaster general Naseer Khan.
Pos Indonesia has embarked on a major transformation ahead of a possible IPO in 2010, said MrSoebandi, director of the courier business. It is considering spinning off its express andlogistics activities under a public-private partnership. Philippines Post is also moving towardsprivatisation and is thinking about partnerships with private companies, commented ElizabethTungol, assistant postmaster general for finance.
