Regional postal heads review progress of inter-GCC express mail service 'Gulf Express'

The officials, who included under-secretaries of postal ministries and directors-general of posts, reviewed the business plan submitted by the Riyadh-based newly appointed manager of the project and asked for an operational plan.

The meeting also decided that the Gulf countries will henceforth take part in international stamp exhibitions under the name of the "GCC Countries Group", in an effort to promote Arab solidarity and philatelic excellence.

The officials extended support to Qatar as the venue of the 2012 UPU Congress which will bring together postal chiefs from more than 191 countries to discuss postal strategies. The last UPU Congress was held in August 2008 in Geneva. The meeting also reviewed the report presented by Emirates Post, head of the GCC postal group, on the success of participation in the Geneva Congress.

Among the other topics was a review of the proposed pan-GCC logistics company owned by GCC postal organizations. They also discussed IFS, the new quick money transfer system from the UPU. Members of some GCC countries asked Emirates Post to share its expertise to enable them to implement the system in their postal networks.

The Emirates Post delegation was led by Mr. Ibrahim Bin Karam, CEO, and Mr. Salem Al Shaya, Assistant Director General, Operations.

Bin Karam, said:

"The GCC region represents a powerful bloc that can achieve a lot through collaboration and joint initiatives,""This meeting helped forge closer ties with fellow GCC countries and took us closer to the goal of introducing new products and services that will speed up mail delivery and remittances between GCC countries."

Alongside the conference, an exhibition of stamps from GCC countries was held. The exhibition was inaugurated by Ali Mohammed Al Ali, CEO of Qatar Post, in the presence of directors-general of GCC postal organizations, including Mr. Ibrahim Bin Karam. Emirates Post exhibited its vast collection of postal stamps. More than 47 collectors from the GCC took part in the exhibition. A silver coin, issued in association with Qatar Central Bank, was released on the occasion.