COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
the fourth Inter-School Stamp Exhibitions Competition with the support of the Education and Manpower Bureau. The competition attracted a favourable response with 164 entries.
PostalPlus for SMEs
Amid a fast-changing business environment and intense competition, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating on limited resources are challenged to promote their businesses and streamline operations. The PostalPlus for SME programme was established to offer a simple, cost-efficient solution to Hong Kong's 300 000-plus SMES by providing postal services, logistics, direct marketing and e-commerce support. Over 3 000 members were recruited by year-end.
Network Expansion
The post office network was extended with new post offices opened in the Cyberport development in Pok Fu Lam and Yau Tong in January and December, respectively. In June, the Yuen Long Post Office was included in the counter network for accepting bulk postings, Hongkong Post circulars, permit mail, and postage prepayment in
money.
Health and Safety at Work
In February, Hongkong Post sanctioned its Occupational Safety Charter during Occupational Health and Safety Week 2003. It endorsed the shared responsibility of employers and employees to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment, and achieved the 'Continual Improvement Safety Programme Recognition of System' Level 2 Certification of the Occupational Safety and Health Council in November.
Community Support
The PostCare Club consists of Hongkong Post staff who support the organisation's values of caring for colleagues and the community by undertaking a range of voluntary work. In May, the club saluted the community's efforts to combat SARS by issuing a 'One Heart, One Mind, Bless Hong Kong' souvenir cover. It was issued to encourage members of the public to send their appreciation and blessing to those persons engaged in combating SARS. The cover was distributed free of charge to the public on a first-come first-served basis and its production was funded by donations from staff. The Hong Kong Red Cross donation box in support of the 'SARS Prevention' Campaign was also made available at each of the 39 philatelic offices. Donations collected were spent on the provision of SARS preventive kits to the needy and vulnerable people as well as on health education projects for the community.
Participation in International Postal Arena
Hongkong Post's high standing in the international postal arena is clear from its re- election as a board member of the Universal Postal Union Express Mail Service Cooperative (UPU EMSC) in 2002 and the Asia Pacific Post Cooperative (APPC) in 2003. It participated in activities organised by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) including the UPU Postal Operations Council meetings and the Council of Administration meetings in Berne, Switzerland, and the Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) Executive Council meetings in Hainan as a member of China's delegation. In addition, Hongkong Post participated in the board meetings of the UPU EMSC and
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