"Future of the Post is at stake" 29/11/2007 00:00

29 November 2007

BRUSSELS - During an emotional appeal in a parliamentary committee, CEO of the Post Johnny Thijs said that the future of the Post was at stake due to the liberalisation of the market in 2011.

Johnny Thijs spoke in the parliamentary committee regarding criticism of some recent measures announced by the Post, such as the closure of some smaller offices. "I feel frustration, sometimes verging on anger," claims Mr. Thijs. "The future of the company is at stake!"

Mr. Thijs has serious doubts about the liberalisation of the postal market in 2011, when other companies will be able to compete for work and contracts.

The CEO stresses that if the public company cannot compete on equal terms with private companies, the Post will simply disappear within a decade or two.

Plans to close post offices unchanged
Mr. Thijs emphasises that only 300 of the 1000 post offices in Belgium are profit-making.

"People who think that the liberalisation of the market will not have an impact on the Post should look at the situation abroad," says Mr. Thijs.

"Even at the most efficient mail delivery company in the world (TNT), a quarter of the direct mail simply went missing."

[Copyright Flanders news 2007]

Subject: Belgian news