Two new products offer better parcel options for shippers from Cayman.

• New parcel shipping boxes will benefit small business, craft industry customers.
• Products are joint venture between Postal Service and Department of Tourism

Grand Cayman (GIS) – Government launched a new product line on Cayman Brac on Wednesday, 14 November 2018 that will enable local businesses, notably small businesses and cottage industries, to amp up their services in time for the coming Christmas season.

As a result of this service, customers at CI post offices are now able to ship out their locally made products at flat rates using the two new products: CaymanKind Global that costs $25 and CaymanKind Global Express at a cost of $40.

Each heavyweight cardboard parcel package accommodates a weight limit of 22 pounds for the same flat rates and can be shipped to any country the CI Postal Service currently services, explained Postmaster General, Ms Sheena Glasgow who flew into Cayman Brac for the launch.

Any product that fits into the confines of the Postal Service’s branded boxes can be easily shipped to overseas buyers. The availability of the boxes eliminates the need for customers to look for other packaging for posting their products.

The colourful packaging was designed by the Department of Tourism and depicts national treasures such as the Cayman Parrot and the stingray, she outlined.

The venture spans two government ministries through the Postal Service and the Department of Tourism. It will also contribute to Government’s objective of building a strong economy to help families and businesses, Ms Glasgow emphasised.

“This is going to be great for individuals and especially cottage industries who want to establish an overseas market or develop an Internet presence. It can help support e-Commerce growth of outbound local products,” Ms Glasgow said. The postal industry as a whole, across the world, is trying to support e-commerce customers and suppliers, she elaborated.

“At the outset, I thank Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Roy McTaggart and Deputy Premier and Minister for District Administration, Tourism and Transport, Hon. Moses Kirkconnell for their sustained support to the work carried out by the two departments in this regard,” Ms Glasgow emphasised.

At the Wednesday launch at the Stake Bay Post Office, Mrs. Starrie Scott, owner of well-known Brac jewellery and craft store NIM Things, kicked off the sales by posting the first package containing Christmas-themed craft items to an individual buyer in Berne, Switzerland.

NIM stands for “Native Island Made”, and features the creations of her husband, Mr. Tenson Scott and artist/craftsperson daughter Ms Simone Scott. The items shipped to Switzerland included Christmas tree ornaments featuring Cayman thatch work and shell-studded Christmas trees for table decorations, Mrs. Scott explained.

Lauding the new postal line of products, Mrs. Scott commented: “This is a great boon for small store owners like us. At a glance, the boxes in which the packages will be sent highlight the unique beauty of the Cayman Islands. The boxes themselves are very attractive and I am very pleased that we are the containers so vividly represent the Cayman Islands.”

The Postmaster General also expressed her department’s gratitude to the DOT for their full and extensive cooperation is getting the products off the ground. “DOT provided the branding and the photography. My sincere thanks go especially to DOT’s Director, Ms Rosa Harris and Tourism Development Service Manager, Ms Jessica Pawlik and Postal Service staff particularly Deputy Postmaster General, Ms Melissa Martinez-Ebanks for their stellar work in developing the new boxes,” Ms Glasgow acknowledged.

Photo captions Photos by Bina Mani, GIS

1. At the Brac postal products launch, Mrs. Starrie Scott of NIM Things(left) and Postmaster General, Ms Sheena Glasgow
2. Mrs. Scott attaches the needed stamps on the parcel prior to posting.
3. The attractive containers can each ship a maximum of 22 pounds at a flat rate.