Please wait!
The future of the national postal operator was considered in a discussion hosted by the Ministry of Transport and SJSC Latvijas Pasts, which evaluated three key components of operations: the range of services, methods of their provision and their availability to diverse demographic groups. In the process of sharing ideas, the parties involved, representing 17 different state institutions and non-governmental organisations, decided on the most suitable model for providing postal and financial services throughout the country.
Experts have brought potential solutions and alternatives to the forefront. The partners, which include non-governmental organisations and the public sector, believe that the current best course of action is for Latvijas Pasts to preserve the network of post offices to the extent possible, while delegating some of the work to the national and municipal unified customer service centres. This would be complemented by the Pastnieks mājās (Postman at Home) solution and e-environment.
“Latvijas Pasts must be modernised, but we must not forget about the people. The benchmark is not a digitally proficient, adaptable individual, but a senior citizen in the borderlands and regions for whom the presence of a post office implies the presence of the state. Whether it is receiving pensions, paying utility bills or subscribing to press – such services should be available," pointed out Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens, calling on the management of Latvijas Pasts to implement changes in a responsible and thoughtful manner.
Meanwhile, Kaspars Rokens, Chairman of the Council of Latvijas Pasts, expressed his satisfaction: "I greatly appreciate today’s constructive discussion, which will serve as the foundation for the future growth of Latvijas Pasts. Given the importance of the company’s development, we believe it is critical that decisions made are binding on various interest groups while also contributing to Latvijas Pasts’ competitiveness.”
Beāte Krauze-Čebotare, Chairwoman of the Board of Latvijas Pasts, agreed with his opinion: “We strive for an in-depth dialogue with all parties involved, listening to each proposal. At the moment, the priority is to collect the ideas expressed in the discussion in order to continue working with a unified vision of providing postal and financial services to Latvian society, in whose daily life the company plays an important role.”
This April, Latvijas Pasts will present a more detailed vision for providing postal services across the country.
The Chancery of the President of Latvia, the State Chancellery, the Public Utilities Commission, the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, the Latvian Disabled People Cooperation Organisation Sustento, the State Social Insurance Agency, the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance, the Latvian Association of Press Publishers, the Latvian Regional Media Association, the Trade Union of Latvian Communications Workers PRO, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Ministry of Culture, Bank of Latvia, Ministry of Economics, Ministry of Transport and Latvijas Pasts are involved in the consultative process.
It has previously been announced that Latvijas Pasts has prepared a development plan to offer top-notch financial and postal services, boost its competitiveness and establish itself as every resident’s first choice for mail as digital communication becomes more widespread and e-commerce gains popularity. Catering to the needs of senior citizens, Latvijas Pasts is searching for the best ways to provide services in a cost-effective and convenient manner at a time when letter post is no longer in such demand as before and traditional post offices are dealing with a decline in workload.
Latvijas Pasts is developing the e-commerce mail and logistics business segment, including universal postal services (delivery of parcels and small packets), express mail services and sending items via the parcel locker network. At the same time, the company is promoting new ways for redirecting parcels and cooperating with international e-commerce service providers to position Riga as a logistics hub.
In the financial services segment, the company encourages cashless payments with the advantages of the VISA payment debit card and the Latvijas Pasts Pay mobile app. One of the priorities for 2024 envisages doubling the number of parcel lockers to more than 400 points to make them even more accessible to residents, while also enhancing digital self-service tools and other features.
About SJSC Latvijas Pasts
Latvijas Pasts ensures the widest availability of postal services in more than 600 post offices throughout Latvia. The company provides the universal postal service, commercial transport, express mail, payment, press subscription, retail, parcel locker and philatelic services. Latvijas Pasts is a wholly state-owned company with around 2,300 employees.
Additional information:
Laila Kļaviņa | Head of Communications and Philately
E-mail: pr@pasts.lv, laila.klavina@pasts.lv
Latvijas Pasts social media profiles:
Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; Linkedin