Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the Directorate of Posts to take prompt measures to exploit maximum benefits of the online business as it becomes more popular with the passage of time.
“As the popularity of online selling and purchasing has been rising, the Directorate of Posts cannot lag behind. It has to take more prompt measures. This will be a big business for it,” she said while inaugurating the newly built 14-storey Dak Bhaban, the administrative headquarters of the Directorate Posts at Agargaon here.
Joining virtually from Ganabhaban, Prime Minister also called for timely initiatives to adopt modern technology aimed at reaching the postal services to the grassroots.
She asked the postal directorate to take a project to introduce cooling or freezing system at the upazila and union level post offices so that the perishable goods such as foods and fruits can be transported from one place to another maintaining their freshness which can attract online business in a more efficient way.
Sheikh Hasina said that her government has purchased 118 vehicles for the Directorate oof Posts to make its transportation system more robust, adding that it would not be enough to purchase cars as it also requires cooling warehouses to preserve the postal goods those include perishable items.
Prime Minister said that they are building 14 ultra-modern mail processing and logistic service centres with chilling chambers which are about to complete.
She said that her government has taken measures to build 38 consumer-friendly model post offices having the facility of ultra-modern mail processing and logistic service with chilling chambers at the district and divisional cities.
The premier said that they will establish such model post offices across the country in phases, adding, “We, in this way, want to reach the postal services to the grassroots. You (employees of the Postal Directorate) have to take the initiative to this end.”
She said that her government has signed bilateral agreements with different countries and the process is on to sign agreements t with more countries under the framework of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) so that the expatriates can easily send their hard-earned money at lower cost and in a legal way.
Prime Minister hoped that the Dak Bhaban would bring dynamism in the work of the Directorate of Posts.
She also released memorial postal stamps, marking the grand opening of the Bhaban.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar also spoke on the occasion while Secretary of Posts and Telecommunications Division Md Afzal Hossain gave the welcome address from the Dak Bhaban end.
State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and ministry standing committee chairman AKM Rahmatullah, among others, were present at the Dak Bhaban.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function while PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah was present, among others, at the Ganabhaban end.
