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Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Government is set to review the National Postal Sector Policy to align it with changes in the sector.

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has since invited consultants or individuals to review the policy under General Notice 1466 of 2019 published in an Extraordinary Government Gazette published on August 23.

“The current postal sector policy was adopted by Government of Zimbabwe in June, 2001, and there is need to review it in line with changes in the sector,” read part of the Notice.

“In view of the above, POTRAZ would like to engage a consultant to review the current policy so that it remains relevant to sector trends and also recognises the important contribution of the postal and courier infrastructure to the social and economic development of the country.The review will consider whether the objectives and goals in the existing policy are still relevant given changes in the sector. There is need to set policy objectives that will guide key players and facilitate the explosive development of postal and courier services through innovation and diversification.” Interested parties have to submit their proposals by September 20 and have to complete the review within three months upon signing the contract.

“A formal Request for Proposal for will be issued following a review of the Expressions of Interest received. Bidders will be invited to submit proposals for the project.”

“The project should be completed within three months from the date of signing of the contract and a detailed and realistic work plan should be attached,” further reads the Notice.

Last year POTRAZ said the review would focus on the licensing framework of postal and courier services operators.

Currently, there are three licence categories for the Postal and Courier Services sector. These include the postal services general license, international commercial courier License and the domestic commercial courier license.

The postal services general licence was granted to one of the Postal and Telecommunications Corporation (PTC) successor companies, Zimpost, which company has the sole obligation of fulfilling all the obligations arising from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to which Zimbabwe is a signatory.