ENG-1998 — Page 422

COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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e-post is an advanced postal solution for business and large organisations which require an easy-to-use and reliable means of communication with their clients. Electronic messages generated by computers in these businesses, such as account statements, invoices, direct mail shots, circular letters, and so on are sent to Hongkong Post either through a telephone or data line, or on computer tapes or diskettes. At Hongkong Post, the electronic messages are turned into physical paper mail and then passed straight into the mail delivery stream without delay. Hongkong Post has set up a production centre at Kowloon East Post Office, with a back-up site at Tseung Kwan O Post Office. Hongkong Post plans to extend the system by introducing new technology in order to be able to offer more value-added services to the business community.

The pilot Postshop at the General Post Office offers a range of postal souvenirs that have proved to be popular with the public. To meet customer demand, Hongkong Post has extended the sales outlets of the postal souvenirs to 28 selected post offices during the year. Hongkong Post also introduced both local and overseas mail order service whereby postal souvenirs may be purchased. The mail order service is also publicised on Hongkong Post's homepage.

Six sets of special stamps were issued during the year featuring the Year of the Tiger, Centenary of the Star Ferry, the new Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Scouts, Hong Kong Designs and Hong Kong Kites. A special stamp sheetlet was issued to commemorate the closure of Kai Tak Airport. A souvenir cover was issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission to commemorate the first election of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. To provide convenience to the public, Hongkong Post has also introduced postal stationery including Postage Pre-paid Scenery Cards, Postage Pre-paid Envelope and writing pad.

In the year, Hongkong Post participated in two international stamp exhibitions overseas and a travelling exhibition in the Mainland to promote the collection of Hong Kong stamps, and to raise the international awareness of Hong Kong stamps. Hong Kong has maintained a high international reputation for its efficient postal services. Hongkong Post has actively participated in the activities organised by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU), and has also attended the various international postal meetings and conferences either as a participating postal administration or an observer. Since reunification with China, Hongkong Post has attended the meetings of both unions as a member of the delegation of the People's Republic of China. In technical meetings and activities on postal business not limited to states, Hongkong Post also attended as a separate postal administration using the name 'Hong Kong, China'.

In April 1998, Hongkong Post was awarded a Certificate of Achievement by the UPU for its outstanding performance in scanning Express Mail Service (known as Speedpost in Hong Kong) item data into computerised tracking and tracing system, and making such data available to tracking partners through international Electronic Data Interchange networks. During the year, Hongkong Post attended the meetings of the International Air Transport Association Workshop, the TelePOST* 98, the World Express and Mail Conference, the International Postal Symposium, the World Association for the Development of Philately and the UPU Express Mail Service Contract Management Team and Project Management Team.