Govt targets modern, profitable postal services
The government is working to transform the Postal Department into a modern, people-friendly and profitable institution, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam said on Thursday.
He made the remarks at a World Post Day ceremony at Dak Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka, where a commemorative stamp was unveiled and awards were presented, according to a press release.
The minister said public confidence in postal services was growing and parcel services were making progress. He stressed that collective efforts, commitment and accountability were necessary to sustain the momentum.
Highlighting interest from foreign investors in the postal sector, Anam expressed optimism about further improvements in service quality, revenue generation and institutional capacity.
On mobile financial service provider Nagad, he said the government had no immediate plan to sell the institution. Instead, initiatives were underway to modernise it and improve its profitability.
Regarding the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the minister said local and foreign experts were working to bring the project into operation.
The government was taking necessary steps to complete the required tests and supply electricity to the national grid, while observing technical processes and testing requirements, he added.
Addressing postal officials and employees, Anam said recognition of performance and contributions motivated staff. He called for continuing merit-based awards and placing greater emphasis on assessing the performance of grassroots post offices and their employees.
Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Bilquis Jahan Rimi, who attended as a special guest, stressed the effective use of the department’s existing infrastructure and nationwide network to deliver modern, technology-driven and people-friendly services.
She said initiatives were underway to coordinate postal services with Land Service Assistance Centres and expand franchise operations to bring services closer to people’s doorsteps while creating employment opportunities.
Rimi also emphasised using social media effectively to promote postal services and encouraged new talent to participate in future award programmes.
This year’s World Post Day theme was “One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities”. Following World Post Day on October 9, Postal Service Week was observed nationwide from October 9 to 15. A commemorative stamp reflecting the theme was unveiled at the ceremony.
Activities during the week included letter festivals, philatelic exhibitions, essay and drawing competitions, and discussion meetings in Dhaka and elsewhere.
Letter festivals, stamp exhibitions and postal service fairs were held at 26 locations, including 25 universities and colleges and Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach.
Around 4,643 letters were posted during the festivals, helping revive young people’s interest in handwritten correspondence.
At the ceremony, 29 individuals received recognition for their contributions and achievements. They included five student winners of World Post Day essay and drawing competitions, three winners of the 55th International Letter Writing Competition, four employees recognised for their contributions to the postal ballot programme, and six employees honoured for outstanding performance in letter post services.
Five officers were also recognised for their contributions to postal services, alongside six Nagad distributors, agents and service representatives.
Kazi Asadul Islam, director general of the Department of Posts, presided over the ceremony. Department officials and employees were also present.
