PM announces hike in postal rates

The cost of mailing a letter, parcel or newspaper from St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been increased by 50%. The new rates came into effect yesterday, following the approval in the House of Assembly on Tuesday of a motion relating to Post Office Regulations.

In tabling the motion, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said the last rate increase was in 1995.{{more}}

He explained that although the Postal Corporation has been able to improve its service, its main source of income, stamp sales, has been declining over the years, as the demand for traditional postal services decreases.

Vincentians will also have to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for post office box rentals. A large box in Kingstown can now be rented for $200 per annum, up from $100, while a small box now costs $100 per annum, up from $60.

The rental costs of post office boxes in Bequia have also been increased to $200 and $100 for large and small boxes respectively. Those boxes were previously $100 and $45 respectively. It now costs $75, up from $60 to rent a post box in Layou.