The government is working to transform the Postal Department into a modern, people-friendly and profitable institution, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam said today (15 October).
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a World Post Day ceremony at Dak Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka, featuring the unveiling of a commemorative stamp and the presentation of awards, according to the press release.
The minister said public confidence in postal services was growing and parcel services were making positive progress. He emphasised that collective efforts, commitment and accountability were essential to sustaining this momentum.
He also highlighted foreign investors' interest in the postal sector and expressed optimism about further improvements in service quality, revenue and institutional capacity.
Regarding mobile financial service Nagad, the minister said the government had no immediate plan to sell the institution. Instead, initiatives were underway to modernise it and improve its profitability.
On the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, he said local and foreign experts were working to bring the project into operation.
The government was taking the necessary steps to complete the required tests and supply electricity to the national grid, with due consideration for technical processes and testing requirements, he added.
Addressing postal officials and employees, the minister said recognition of work and performance motivated staff. He called for the continuation of merit-based awards and greater emphasis on assessing the performance of grassroots post offices and their employees.
Bilquis Jahan Rimi, secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, attended as a special guest.
She emphasised using the department's existing infrastructure and nationwide network effectively to deliver modern, technology-driven and people-friendly services.
She said initiatives were underway to coordinate postal services with Land Service Assistance Centres and expand franchise operations to bring services closer to people's doorsteps and create employment opportunities.
She also stressed the effective use of social media to promote postal services and encouraged new talent to participate in future award programmes.
This year's World Post Day theme is "One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities". Following World Post Day on 9 October, Postal Service Week was observed nationwide from 9 to 15 October. A commemorative stamp reflecting the theme was unveiled at the ceremony.
Activities during the week included letter festivals, philatelic exhibitions, essay and drawing competitions, and discussion meetings in Dhaka and elsewhere.
Letter festivals, stamp exhibitions and postal service fairs were held at 26 locations, including 25 universities and colleges and Cox's Bazar Sea Beach.
Approximately 4,643 letters were posted during the festivals, helping revive young people's interest in handwritten correspondence.
At the ceremony, 29 individuals received special recognition for their contributions and achievements.
Recipients included five student winners of the World Post Day essay and drawing competitions, three winners of the 55th International Letter Writing Competition, four employees recognised for their contributions to the postal ballot programme, and six employees for outstanding performance in letter post services.
Five officers received recognition for their contributions to postal services, alongside six Nagad distributors, agents and service representatives.
Kazi Asadul Islam, director general of the Department of Posts, presided over the ceremony. Department officials and employees were also present.