Message From Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible For Postal Service World Postal Day 9th October 2012.

Today, 9 October is World Postal Day. The Cayman Islands is pleased to join the rest of the world in celebrating the official observance of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Berne, Switzerland in 1894.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘A new strategy for a new world’ and it is certainly a fitting one as postal services worldwide adapt to a new era of technological advances that impact the way mail and packages are delivered.

Despite a changing business landscape, the postal service remains an important means of communication. According to UPU statistics, worldwide mail services deliver nearly 445 billion letters every year. The postal service is increasingly tied to newer means of communications involving electronic transactions and is at the end game of ecommerce — that is, delivery of packages.

Thomas E. Leavey, Director General of the UPU, noted that products over the Internet can be delivered through the postal network, while more postal services are also providing Internet service through their own outlets, by setting up cafes or kiosks in post office lobbies.

The postal service continues to ensure a communication link between people and businesses worldwide “without distinguishing between the rich and poor, which is not the case in this growing digital divide between developing countries,” Mr. Leavey also noted.

The Cayman Islands Postal Service (CIPS) is still holding its own in the face of this era of developing technology. In fact, I am currently away attending a Postal Conference with DAWL&A Chief Officer Alan Jones and Postmaster General Sheena Glasgow and would like to report that CIPS has received a bronze award for its Express Mail Service (EMS) — the courier service within the postal industry. This clearly demonstrates that we continue to innovate and therefore can compete on the world stage.

CIPS is making it more convenient for postal customers to conduct their business and customers can pay their electricity, cable and water bills at all 15 district post offices.

Postal services throughout the world generally use the occasion of World Postal Day to introduce new products and services and to organise philatelic exhibitions. We in the Cayman Islands are choosing to launch our 2012 Definitive Stamp Issue – a set of 12 stunning stamps that feature our islands’ marine life.

The Cayman Islands is known for the natural marvels of its underwater environment, a fact that makes it a favourite destination for dive and water sports visitors and contributes to our acclaim as one of the top dive spots worldwide. These stamps richly depict and celebrate our special attributes in this area, and I am sure collectors will find them a fascinating series.

I encourage you all to support this stunning 2012 Marine Life Definitive Stamp Issue and wish you a happy World Postal Day!

HON. JULIANA O’CONNOR-CONNOLLY

MINISTER OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, WORKS, LANDS AND AGRICULTURE