31 August 2003
DOHA: Qatar's General Postal Corporation (Q-Post) will open its first, fully computerised and state-of-the-art outlet at the LuLu Hypermarket premises tomorrow, a senior official at the shopping centre, said yesterday.
Mohammad Althaf, operations manager at the LuLu Hypermarket, said a "soft opening" of the outlet will be held tomorrow while the formal launch is expected to be held at a later date. A large number of senior officials from Q-Post are currently outside the country on summer holidays and are expected to return to Doha shortly. The outlet at the LuLu Hypermarket will be the first of its kind in Qatar to operate from the complex of a store.
Currently, Q-Post has similar counters in malls and other shopping complexes but not on the premises of a single shop. Earlier, the erstwhile Department of Posts operated a counter from The Centre located in the Al Montazah district of the capital.
Giving details about the outlet, Althaf said that customers will be able to apply through Q-Post for all electronic government (e-government) services. Currently, e-government facilities offered through Q-Post includes renewal of family residence permits and work visas of domestic helpers on sponsorship of individuals.
A facility to renew driving licences and ID-cards issued by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) are also on the anvil. The chairman of Q-Post, Ali Mohammad Al Ali, had earlier said that the postal authority planned to offer renewal of vehicle insurance through the system.
Qatar's e-government project, when completed, will allow residents, both nationals and expatriates, a range of over 20 services through the Internet and Q-Post outlets.
Althaf disclosed that the Q-Post has already been furnished and is ready for operations.
Q-Post conducted a few trial runs earlier to iron out any glitches that it might have encountered.
The outlet will remain open on working days from 8am to 10pm daily, he added.
DOHA: Qatar's General Postal Corporation (Q-Post) will open its first, fully computerised and state-of-the-art outlet at the LuLu Hypermarket premises tomorrow, a senior official at the shopping centre, said yesterday.
Mohammad Althaf, operations manager at the LuLu Hypermarket, said a "soft opening" of the outlet will be held tomorrow while the formal launch is expected to be held at a later date. A large number of senior officials from Q-Post are currently outside the country on summer holidays and are expected to return to Doha shortly. The outlet at the LuLu Hypermarket will be the first of its kind in Qatar to operate from the complex of a store.
Currently, Q-Post has similar counters in malls and other shopping complexes but not on the premises of a single shop. Earlier, the erstwhile Department of Posts operated a counter from The Centre located in the Al Montazah district of the capital.
Giving details about the outlet, Althaf said that customers will be able to apply through Q-Post for all electronic government (e-government) services. Currently, e-government facilities offered through Q-Post includes renewal of family residence permits and work visas of domestic helpers on sponsorship of individuals.
A facility to renew driving licences and ID-cards issued by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) are also on the anvil. The chairman of Q-Post, Ali Mohammad Al Ali, had earlier said that the postal authority planned to offer renewal of vehicle insurance through the system.
Qatar's e-government project, when completed, will allow residents, both nationals and expatriates, a range of over 20 services through the Internet and Q-Post outlets.
Althaf disclosed that the Q-Post has already been furnished and is ready for operations.
Q-Post conducted a few trial runs earlier to iron out any glitches that it might have encountered.
The outlet will remain open on working days from 8am to 10pm daily, he added.
© The Peninsula 2003
