A sign symbolising a growing partnership

THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE partnership between Jamaica Post and the GK Group continues to grow from strength to strength as the corporate headquarters of the island’s postal network now boasts a new sign that was erected at their 6-10 South Camp Road, Kingston location on April 21. Sutherland Global, which operates from this location, also mounted their brand on the building.

The structure also benefited from a facelift where various sections of the exterior were repainted. The repainting and rebranding exercises were provided through the courtesy of the GK General Insurance Company Limited.

The brokering of public-private partnerships is one modality which Jamaica Post uses as part of its new strategic thrust to achieve its mandate to modernise the postal service. “We are pleased to partner with a member of the GK Group, and appreciate their support with the rebranding of the CSO building. This exercise forms a part of a broader plan to enhance the aesthetics, infrastructure, ‘look and feel’ as well as improve the overall customer experience at several locations islandwide. However, it will be approached on a phased basis,” noted Lincoln Allen, postmaster general/CEO.

“Some locations slated to be renovated in the short to medium term include the Constant Spring, Mona, Liguanea, Half-Way Tree and Cross Roads post offices, along with others across the island,” the postmaster general added.

The partnership between Jamaica Post and the GK Group has been a long-standing one, where Bill Express, a bill payment service from GK, operates from 80 plus Jamaica Post locations islandwide. Chaluk Richards, general manager, GK General Insurance Company Limited stated, “We are pleased to see that this project, which started more than a year ago, has finally come to fruition. Also, we are satisfied with the final product (the mounted signs) and the new ‘face’ of the CSO building. This exercise signals our commitment to strengthening the existing relationship with the Post and Sutherland Global Services, and exploring other ventures in the near future.”

Over the last 36 months, Jamaica Post has aggressively expanded Internet connectivity and distribution of more than 100 desktop computers to over 100 post offices islandwide. This has enabled the expansion of various commercial services such as Zip Mail, FastTrack and Klick ‘N’ Ship across the postal network. This has also resulted in noticeable improvements in the administration and operations of the post office.

Currently, the Zip Mail services are being offered in 115 post offices islandwide, along with FastTrack in 74 and Klick ‘N’ Ship in 90 locations. The phased renovation exercises planned for the post office network over the next 12 to 24 months will be complemented by these commercial products and services, and align with modernisation efforts being pursued to re-establish Jamaica Post as the preferred logistics partner.