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15.01.2014
In the first two weeks of 2014, from January 2 to 14, during the period of dual circulation of lats and euros in Latvia, almost 15 million lats were exchanged at the 302 Latvijas Pasts offices providing exchange of lats for euros. The activity was the greatest in the first days of the year, remaining high until the end of the previous working week, and then gradually declining.
For example, on January 2, the first working day of 2014, nearly 1.2 million lats were exchanged at Latvijas Pasts; on January 3 - 1.9 million; and on January 4 - 1.6 million. The amounts remained similarly high until January 9. On January 13, 1 million lats were exchanged, and on January 14 - a little over 0.9 million.
"The amount of cash exchanged at Latvijas Pasts offices evidences that Latvijas Pasts is successfully ensuring exchange of lats for euros, even though it is not at all a regular function of our company. To do it, over the course of an entire year we had to make major changes in our day-to-day work, conduct additional training of employees and implement much stricter security measures. However, considering the exchange results so far, it can be said that the additional work was worth it, and Latvijas Pasts has been able to help residents in places where there are no other possibilities for cash exchange," notes Latvijas Pasts Chairman of the Board Arnis Salnājs.
While the dual currency circulation period ended on January 14, free exchange of lats for euros at 302 post offices will continue until March 31. These offices have been established with the Cabinet of Ministers regulation on the postal service locations for exchange of lats for euros in places where bank services and ATMs are not available, and they can be identified by special stickers.
It is possible to conveniently locate the nearest post office for cash exchange by entering an address at Latvijas Pasts website www.eiropasts.lv, which also includes a list of all 302 post offices by region and an interactive map. The cash exchange post offices can also be determined by calling Latvijas Pasts info lines 67008001 or 27008001, and the list is also available in informative brochures in all Latvijas Pasts offices.
In accordance with the provisions of the Euro Implementation Procedure Law, Latvijas Pasts has established the procedure for successful exchange of amounts exceeding LVL 3,000. To exchange an amount in excess of LVL 3,000 at one of the 302 Latvijas Pasts offices, it is necessary to make a reservation at the office where the exchange is desired. The customer must visit the respective post office with an identity document three days in advance and submit an application, specifying the amount to be exchanged. Three days later, upon presenting an identity document, it will be possible to exchange the specified amount at the same post office.
Lats can be exchanged for euros in the form of a money transfer at any Latvijas Pasts office by opening a special account with the Postal Payments System. The opening of an account is free of charge for natural persons at any Latvijas Pasts post office, and it allows making money transfers at any time to a natural or legal person's account both within the Postal Payments System and at a bank - both in Latvia and abroad. The account also allows conveniently paying for rent and utilities, receiving pension or benefits.
About SJSC Latvijas Pasts
Latvijas Pasts ensures the widest availability of postal services throughout Latvia by maintaining more than 600 post offices. The primary function of the company is provision of the universal postal service; Latvijas Pasts also provides commercial transport, express mail, payment, press subscription, retail and philatelic services. Latvijas Pasts is a wholly State-owned company with more than 4,200 employees.