| Hakim Hayat |
THE number of incoming parcel deliveries processed in Brunei rose drastically to 492,600 in 2016 alone. The amount continues to increase every year while mail delivery has lessened, said Minister of Communications, YB Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, during the 14th Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
From only 225,000 parcels being processed in 2010, the minister said that the figure continues to increase by the year, with the explosion of technology and e-commerce, in line with global development.
The minister was responding to a query by LegCo member YB Ong Tiong Oh on the status of the implementation of an electronic payment gateway system for the Postal Services Department, which was raised during the 13th LegCo session last year.
YB Ong Tiong Oh also queried about Ministry of Communications’ (MinCom) plans to encourage its use among corporations and businesses, including penetrating international markets in receiving and sending payments.
“This is to empower digital connectivity and also enhance our e-commerce capabilities and logistics,” added the LegCo member.
YB Awang Abdul Mutalib said the matter is in MinCom’s list of priorities, especially in the shift towards the privatisation of the Postal Services Department.
Recognising it as a platform to empower the digital economy and e-commerce industry in the country, he disclosed that the e-payment gateway project is being coordinated with the Ministry of Finance.
“The availability of the e-payment gateway is needed in the digital economy era, we are well aware that mail deliveries have gone down, and this is not just happening in Brunei but globally, and at the same time, the number of parcel deliveries is continuously rising,” he added.
The minister said this proves to be a challenge which will require the rescaling of resources including Postal Services Department staff.
He added that the matter would be closely studied before the Postal Services Department begins its journey towards privatisation, and signalled that they might consider running a trial on it.
Before the approval of the MinCom budget for the Financial Year 2018/2019, LegCo member YB Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mumin also proposed for the establishment of another Mail Processing Centre (MPC) in the Belait District, in addition to the sole one in Berakas, to accommodate the increasing number of parcels being processed and to improve the speed of processing, delivery or collection.
YB Awang Abdul Mutalib said the matter had been previously discussed, and that the feasibility of having another MPC is being evaluated. He added that they also have to take into account the capacity and needs of human resources and assets, among other considerations.