Dmitry Medvedev’s opening remarks
The postal system is a major element in the life of any country, but especially so in Russia, which is a complex country. Post offices are still the focal points in many towns and villages, where people go to send and receive letters and packages, get their pensions, magazines and newspapers, and order goods from all over the world. In this respect, Russian Post is an organisation that helps all Russian citizens from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok to feel connected to the rest of the country.
Every year, 1.5 billion letters and about 50 million packages are delivered by rail, air and automobile, which is certainly an astonishing number. Russian Post has over 2,000 large and 40,000 smaller post offices and approximately 400,000 employees. It is true that this is the age of electronics and high technology but postal services remain in demand in Russia due to the unique characteristics of our nation. Therefore, these services should be adjusted to meet people’s requirements, and it must be said that many people complain about the quality of our postal services. Russian Post is often criticised, like any other service on the cutting-edge of trends. Criticism is sometimes not deserved, but it is mostly because of the inadequate quality of postal services. So the situation must be rectified, and I proposed that we discuss it. I am interested to hear your proposals.
First, we should accelerate the adoption of the law on the postal service and iron out all the existing differences, which is why we have met here. We should rely on modern legislation to reform the postal service, that is, expand the range of services, promote the use of e-mail and internet, develop the courier delivery system, all of which amounts to modernising the postal system, and to upgrade it to meet global standards in this sphere.
I believe that we could get around to the issue of transforming Russian Post from a state-owned into a joint-stock company after the adoption of the new law, although this issue requires special consideration. I’d like to remind you that the privatisation of Russian Post was included in the concept for reforming the federal postal service and in the Government programme Information Society. The Government took a decision on this back in 2010.
Another issue that traditionally accompanies discussions of the postal service – at least this has been so for the past 12 years – is the creation of a Postal Bank. Experts believe that a Postal Bank, which would have outlets at all Russian post offices across Russia, would ease people’s and organisations’ access to postal and savings services. I’d like to hear your proposals on this issue.
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Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich talks to reporters following a Government meeting on postal service
Transcript:
Arkady Dvorkovich: We have discussed issues related to a bill on postal services at a meeting with the Prime Minister. It is to supersede the law adopted in 1999. We have reconciled major differences regarding this bill and, following some minimal modifications, it will be submitted for consideration by the Government.
The Prime Minister has instructed us to develop a long-term financial model for Pochta Rossii (Russian Post) based on various economic scenarios, including for the domestic market, and submit it along with the bill. Thus, the Government meeting will consider the bill and the financial model, which, in addition to legal and financial issues, includes the Russian postal service development concept. After that, the bill will be submitted for approval by the State Duma.
Question: When do you think it will be submitted to the Duma?
Arkady Dvorkovich: Mr Medvedev asked us to report back with relevant materials in mid-February. Accordingly, it will be submitted to the Government some time later.
Question: Will the financial model be based on privatisation or reorganising Pochta Rossii as a joint stock company?
Arkady Dvorkovich: There will be two versions of the financial model: one that involves corporatisation under the Postal Service Development Concept adopted back in 2010 and one that doesn’t. We will need to show the pros and cons of both scenarios in terms of their financial consequences.
Question: Which one is the Government focusing on?
Arkady Dvorkovich: Let me reiterate: first, these materials will be reported to the Prime Minister. Then we’ll decide on how and when we will submit them for consideration by the Government.
Question: Are there any unresolved issues?
Arkady Dvorkovich: All disagreements have been resolved. There are several technicalities regarding paperwork left, in particular money transfers and the terms of postal operators’ accession to the Pochta Rossii’s infrastructure.