In 1992, the NPO became
an independent State company, with a monopoly right
of 30 years. Can you enlighten us on the main steps
that marked the evolution of the National Post over
the past 10 years?
After the creation of the office in 1992, our
mission was to carry out the traditional universal
service entitled to the Post Office but also to
modernize our activities by implementing commercial
services that would complete our traditional services
and would create new revenue sources. So, we have
introduced new products: we signed a partnership
contract with foreign posts members of the EMS
Express association in order to create an express
mail delivery system. Another product is the combination
of the transport of mails with the transport of
people. We have an agency working on this principle
by using buses across the country and in one day
the mail can reach its destination.
Also, we have implemented a Forex office open
to all types of customers. We have also introduced
the electronic money transfer system thanks to
the contract we have signed with a South African
company called "e-Save". This service
avoids delays in transferring money. We are currently
operating on the national level and we should
start soon with international transfers.
Also, before the end of 2002, we intend to launch
a postal bank. In association with other local
banks, we have set up a inter-bank company for
tele-compensation. This company will manage the
credit cards in Rwanda and at the international
level and will take care of the tele-compensation
between banks. So, we hope to be able to start
banking operations by the beginning of next year.
Is the Internet among your priorities in terms
of investment in your communication services?
We have noticed the growing use of the Internet
in all type of businesses and a wide majority
of the population. So we have decided to open
some cyber cafes in a few towns. Within the next
two years, we hope we'll be able to become an
Internet Service Provider. But, at this stage
we may need to create some alliances with foreign
companies that would provide us with their expertise,
know-how and technology.
The NPO employs 212 and has reached a turnover
of RFW 2bn (approx. $4,000,000). What is your
analysis of the growth rate of the Post and what
are your growth expectations for next year?
Since the company was created, we always have
a good evolution of our financial results. We
experienced a steady growth over the years. Of
course, we suffered from the war in '94 until
'97. Before the war we had 38 post offices and
now we have 19. So, we have not reached the level
we had before the war but we are gradually coming
there. We have just signed an agreement with the
"Union des Banques Populaires" that
will make us benefit from their large network
of offices throughout the country in order to
provide a better postal service to the remote
population.
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A few giants from
the express delivery service such as DHL, TNT, Sky
Net arrived in Rwanda after '94. You mentioned earlier
you commitment to this service. But how do you position
your company among the competition?
Those international companies have to pay an
annual fee to the NPO before starting any operation
in the country. If they operate at the international
level, they pay FRW 800,000 (1,600$) to the NPO.
For those operating only in the country, they
pay FRW 500,000 per year. So, we act a bit like
a regulation authority. Also, they are not allowed
to compete in the traditional postal services
since we have a 30-year monopoly.
The NPO is a member of the Universal Postal
Union. Will the NPO be present at the international
congress that will take place in Ivory Coast next
year and what do you expect from it?
It is very useful as all the different countries
gather and shares their experiences and point
of views. We also take advantage of this forum
to discuss new regulations for postal services.
Last time, the conference was in Beijing and the
results were very positive towards developing
countries as it had been decided that they would
increase their terminal fees towards richer countries
for each service rendered to the latter. This
has enabled us to get the means to improve our
services. And I believe next year, new regulations
will take place.
How would you evaluate the role that the NPO
will play in the economic development of the country
over the next five years?
If we look at the general political orientation,
it is very open towards the international community,
aimed at attracting foreign investors or at creating
business links between local and international
companies. The NPO plays a major role at this
level as those cross border business relations
rely a lot a good quality postal service. So,
we are working on modernizing our services and
infrastructure so as to help the country fulfill
its development policy.
You have been recently appointed Ambassador
of Rwanda to China. What will be your major personal
challenge when arriving in Beijing?
I will represent Rwanda in Beijing and in Hong
Kong and I hope I will contribute significantly
in promoting the Rwandan economy towards Chinese
investors. Also, as a former Director of the NPO
I will use my experience to create contact with
the posts of the region and see how we can develop
new schemes together.
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RWANDA
