Members of the Caribbean Postal Union flocked to the Cayman Islands last month to have frank and open discussions about the challenges facing postal service in the region.  

The aim of the workshop was to raise awareness among postal authorities about the challenges confronting the Caribbean postal sector and for them to develop an action plan and set out the necessary steps to ensure the objectives were met.  

The forum also focused on quality of service, market knowledge and customer needs; postal reform and sustainable development; and cooperation and interaction with industry stakeholders. 

Commitment 

Universal Postal Union’s Caribbean expert Gerard Power said, “At the UPU we are gratified to see the high degree of interest in these topics and the commitments made by countries in the region to furthering the work through a series of specific actions. These include the examination of the regional logistics network and establishing a working group to identify and address barriers to the exchange of electronic money orders and postal remittances.  

“The frank and courteous debates enabled the participants to both gain a better understanding of the common challenges and some the solutions that have worked for others.”  

Market access 

Particular attention was paid to the role of the postal sector in providing micro, small and medium sized enterprises with access to markets as the engine of economic growth, financial inclusion and access to electronic services. Defining, costing and financing of the universal service obligation were also discussed.  

He noted that the warm hospitality offered by the government of the Cayman Islands; the Cayman Islands Postal Service; Chief Officer Mr. Kearney Gomez and the Postmaster General Ms Sheena Glasgow was felt and very much appreciated by the participants.  

Mr. Gomez, chief officer in the Ministry of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture Chief said he welcomed the initiative by the UPU and the CPU to bring “the Caribbean up to speed in meeting challenges currently being experienced by all postal administrations. More innovation is required; meeting our customers’ needs is the top priority.” 

Ms Glasgow said given that permanent secretaries are a key link between postmasters general and the ministers responsible for the post, this workshop offered a unique opportunity for regional collaboration on substantive issues at this level. 

Quality service 

“One of the key challenges facing all regional postal services is the ability to provide customers with quality services when the post has traditionally significantly struggled to attract and recruit skilled employees. Despite this, regional posts’ future survival will be dependent on our ability to remain relevant to our customers – there are no easy solutions to this particular challenge,” she added.  

The CPU spearheaded the two-day workshop, which had participating delegates from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and British 
Virgin Islands.