COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
forward-looking, customer-focused and market-oriented organisation. To this end, Hongkong Post established its corporate purpose as Linking People, Delivering Business in 2003. The words neatly define its dual responsibilities of firstly continuing to provide an affordable, universal service linking individuals and organisations in Hong Kong and across the globe through the delivery of correspondence and merchandise, and secondly adding value to the economy by delivering business. solutions to the different sectors and maintaining the viability of Hongkong Post through diversification into new business arenas. Supported by the vision, mission and values set, the corporate purpose points to the organisation's long-term direction.
Mail Volumes
During the year, Hongkong Post handled 1.27 billion items of mail, or a daily average of 3.5 million items, representing a slight decrease of 0.3 per cent over 2002. Local mail accounted for 85.4 per cent of the items processed and overseas mail for 14.6 per cent. Some 11 217 tonnes of letter mail and 1 762 tonnes of parcels were dispatched overseas by air, representing an increase of 2 per cent on 2002. The United States, the Mainland, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia were Hongkong Post's major partners in letter mail while Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia were its major partners in parcels.
Performance Pledges
Performance pledges are published for the delivery of mail, philatelic, counter and public Certification Authority services. Hongkong Post achieved a
very high performance level in most of its pledges. In particular, it was able to achieve a success rate of 99.71 per cent for next-day delivery of local letters.
Perception Survey
In March, an independent firm was appointed to conduct the seventh annual public perception survey of Hongkong Post's services. The overall satisfaction levels. remained high, with some 97 per cent, 96 per cent and 97 per cent of customers in the general public, business and philately groups, respectively, being satisfied or very satisfied with Hongkong Post's services. The survey also found that Hongkong Post has ranked the first runner-up among the best service organisations in every year since 2000.
Hong Kong Public Key Infrastructure Forum
In September, the Hong Kong Public Key Infrastructure Forum (HKPKIF) hosted an international conference on 'The Usage of PKI in e-Business'. The conference, chaired by the Postmaster General, was organised to position Hong Kong as a leading e-business community. Some 250 senior executives participated in the conference, 70 of whom were delegates of member PKI forums from across the Asia-Pacific region. Ideas were exchanged on various subjects relating to the development of business applications using PKI technology.
E-Cert in Smart ID Card
Anticipating the commencement of the region-wide ID Card replacement exercise in August, show business celebrities were appointed as e-Cert ambassadors to raise public awareness and encourage residents to learn more about e-Cert and the option to embed a Hongkong Post e-Cert, for one year's free usage, in their smart ID cards.
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