The 'First Postal Leaders Forum in the Arab Region' commenced in Muscat on Monday. The event, organized by the Sultanate of Oman and represented by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, in collaboration with the Universal Postal Union, gathered over 60 participants from 18 Arab countries.
Dr Khalfan bin Said Al Shuaili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, graciously sponsored the opening of the three-day forum. Its primary objective is to showcase exemplary practices, exchange knowledge, and foster experiences pertaining to global digital transformation. The aim is to enhance postal institutions in the Arab region while bringing together key stakeholders in the postal sector, including e-commerce platform operators and other service providers, to address logistical support requirements and overcome challenges.
The forum will delve into various topics, notably digital transformation and innovation in Arab postal institutions, the role of the digital economy in the postal sector, e-commerce as a catalyst for digital transformation, digital service infrastructure, the potential of digital transformation in the postal sector, and ensuring the security of postal infrastructure. The agenda includes panel discussions, presentations, dialogue sessions, and a demonstration of digital postal solutions.
Eng. Said bin Hamoud al-Ma’awali, the Minister of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, emphasized the significant attention given to the postal sector in the Sultanate of Oman. The country has established a robust governance framework aligned with international best practices. Furthermore, the Ministry is collaborating with relevant authorities to draft a comprehensive law for the sector.
According to the Postal Development Report released by the Union, the Omani postal sector has achieved an impressive 6th position in the Arab world and ranks 65th globally in the year 2023.
During his speech, Eng. Said bin Hamoud al-Ma’awali highlighted the potential of digital technologies and their role in shaping the future of the postal sector. He emphasized that participating in the forum aims to explore opportunities for sustainable digital transformation and foster innovation within the postal industry, as postal services play a crucial role in our daily lives.
He further emphasized the importance of integrating technology to enhance the efficiency and quality of postal services. Digital transformation presents an opportunity to streamline operations, from precise tracking of shipments to intelligent data management, ultimately improving the overall user experience.
The Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council emphasized the significance of the forum in recognizing the pivotal role played by the postal sector in the global economy. The postal sector, along with the broader logistics and transportation industry, serves as a vital lifeline for the economy, connecting individuals, communities, and facilitating trade and economic growth among nations.
He mentioned that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are experiencing rapid advancements in both the economic and social sectors, accompanied by a surge in trade and investments, including e-commerce. According to the report (Post Statistics 2022) released by the Universal Postal Union, the internal exchange of parcels and express mail within the GCC countries reached approximately 40 million shipments in 2022, exhibiting a remarkable growth rate of over 80 percent compared to the years 2018 and 2019.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the volume of parcels and express mail exchanged between the GCC countries and the rest of the world amounted to around one and a half million shipments in 2022, with a growth rate of approximately 30 percent compared to the years 2018 and 2019.
In his speech, Masahiko Metoki, the Director General of the International Office of the Universal Postal Union, expressed his hope for this forum to serve as a comprehensive and strategic platform for exchanging views on various topics related to the postal industry.
He emphasized that fostering a common understanding and mutual knowledge in this field is crucial for concerted efforts aimed at ensuring the safety of the unified postal region and supporting postal development in the Arab region.
The Director-General of the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union emphasized the significance of the forum's focus on digital transformation and innovation, particularly in the current era of rapid technological advancements. This highlights the growing need for postal services to adapt and evolve with innovative solutions in order to thrive in the digital age.
To facilitate communication and collaboration between specialized postal service providers and the public, the forum is accompanied by an exhibition that showcases the latest digital solutions in the postal sector. This exhibition also highlights local companies in the Sultanate of Oman that possess the technical capabilities to offer innovative digital solutions to their customers.
The exhibition serves as a platform for both local and international companies to showcase their advanced and innovative digital products and services in the field of mail. Forum participants will have the opportunity to explore the latest technologies and innovations presented by these companies, including advanced solutions for delivery, postal tracking, and email management.
It is important to note that this inaugural edition of the forum aims to strengthen Arab cooperation among member states of the Universal Postal Union in the areas of communication, information, and postal services. This is crucial in order to keep up with the rapid changes brought about by e-commerce and the increasing demand for innovative digital services. The outcomes of the forum will serve as a framework for postal leaders seeking to develop strategies for digital transformation.
