The world’s postal operators are increasing their express volumes and further improving theirquality levels, according to the latest figures from the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
Worldwide express mail (EMS) traffic totalled 44 million items (documents and parcels) in2007, an 8.5% rise over the previous year, figures presented at the recent General Assembly of theEMS Cooperative, a UPU associated organisation, showed. Between 2004 and 2006, EMS trafficincreased 23%. Figures for 2008 are not yet available.
The 154 operators making up the EMS network offer a very high quality service, asdemonstrated by the excellent results achieved against the performance indicators, the UPU said ina press release. In 2008, almost 86% of EMS items were delivered on time, and operators were ableto resolve 96% of customer inquiries.
During the General Assembly, several countries were awarded prizes for their performance in2008, based on analysis by independent consultants and the efforts made to meet EMS standards. Atotal of 18 countries and territories received gold, silver or bronze awards for the excellence oftheir EMS services (on-time deliveries, tracking of items and handling of customer inquiries). HongKong, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore took gold; Australia, Brazil, the People’sRepublic of China, the Czech Republic, El Salvador, Finland, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealandand Sweden were awarded silver; and Canada, Estonia, Ukraine and the United States of Americareceived bronze awards.
EMS is a high quality, competitive, affordable international express postal service forsending documents and goods the world over. In most countries EMS is the only operator offeringuniversal access to international express services for private customers and small businesses, theUPU pointed out.
