16.MAY.08

The Council of Caribbean Ministers responsible for Postal Affairs met in Aruba for the Caribbean Postal Union Annual Conference from May 8 to 9, 2008.{{more}}

St. Vincent and Grenadines was represented by Minister of Rural Transformation Hon. Selmon Walters and Celene Jack Director of SVG Postal Corporation.

Minister Walters upon returning from that meeting held a press conference to update the media on the different issues arising from the meeting. According to Minister Walters Caribbean governments were encouraged to revamp the postal sector thereby transforming it from a public service entity to a business oriented commercial enterprise.

Walters said that St. Vincent and the Grenadines was congratulated for already taking this imitative since in 2003 the postal service was transformed into a semi-commercial statutory enterprise.

The ministers at the meeting were also concerned with the private courier services that are not regulated and noted the need for regulation of these services and their obligation to their customers.

The postal meeting in Aruba also updated the ministers on the efforts on international tricksters who use the postal service to defraud unsuspecting citizens within the Caribbean.

Minster Walters took the opportunity to warn citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines of suspicious mails that promise monies for inheritance whether it is offered through the post or via email.(API)