Emirates Post Group Implements First Phase Of Offering E-Services On Mobile Devices As Part Of Smart Government

Emirates Post Group has unveiled an ambitious plan to make its e-Services compatible withall types of mobile devices. To start with, a mobile version of the online services portal offering selected commonly used services will be made accessible on mobile devices from February 3, 2014. By the last quarter of 2014, all online services will be accessible via mobile devices, including e-commerce services.

Mr. Ibrahim Bin Karam, Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Post Group, said the project is inspired by the UAE government’s smart government initiative, as mobile phone penetration in the UAE is the among the highest in the world.

According to a plan prepared by Emirates Post Group, the most used e-Services on the EPG website which will be made available on mobile devices from February 3, will include the e-P.O. Box (which allows checking incoming postal mails); Track and Trace ; location maps for post offices;Submitting customer inquiries, complaints and suggestions; Complaint tracking and Rate Calculator.

“This represents the first phase of EPG’s m-Services project,” said Mr. Bin Karam. “However, our bigger goal is to make all online services available via mobile devices and smartphones from the third quarter. The second phase will see Emirates Post venturing into e-commerce. We see immensepotential for e-commerce as Emirates Post Group boasts a world-class mailing and delivery system.”

‘E-Greeting’ will offer the service of selecting greetings cards from a dropdown menu or customizing a greeting card. Once the card is selected or customized, Emirates Post will print and deliver it locally and internationally. This is a new concept in which an online greeting card will be converted into a physical card and delivered by mail to the recipient.

The ‘e-Stamps’ service will enable stamp collectors to place orders for UAE stamps from any part of the world, and have them delivered to their doorstep after making payment online using credit cards. Speaking about e-commerce, Mr. Bin Karam said a selected range of electronic products, flowers and other itemswouldbe listed on the website, and customers will be able to order them online and have them delivered through the postal and courier network of Emirates Post Group.

“We are currently shortlisting suppliers for the e-commerce project. We will keep adding new categories to the catalogue as time goes by and expand the product range, depending on demand,” said Mr. Bin Karam. The Emirates Post Group management has formed a high-level committee to direct and monitor the implementation of the smart government project and ensure that it benefits the customers.

Emirates Post Group’s foray into smart Government services is in keeping with the rapid increasein users of mobile devices and smartphones in the UAE. According to figures released by the UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) in December 2013, mobile-phone penetration in the UAE stood at 181 per cent and smartphone penetration was 73.8 per cent, the highest in the world.

The concept of mobile phone accessible services is set to get further boost followingthe launchby HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, of the Smart City project which seeks to deliver various services and information through smart devices and systems interconnecting various government departments. The project will use cloud computing, WiFi and near field communication to increase interactivity with the public.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Feb 10, 2014

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