The Universal Postal Union and the Russian Post have signed a memorandum of understanding, intending to set up a regional technical centre (RTC) in Moscow. The centre –once approved - would provide support for UPU software in postal payment services to Posts in Eastern Europe and North Asia. It would also train users according to the principle of neighbours assisting each other.
For the UPU, the establishment of regional technical centres ensures the proper deployment of its software applications and platforms. This includes the provision of operational and technical support and the sharing of technical know-how on a regional basis with designated operators. There are currently two RTCs worldwide, located in Tunisia and Singapore.
The MOU was signed during the 16th Pochtovaya Troika conference, held on July 1-2 in St Petersburg. The biannual meeting was attended by delegates from across the postal sector, with discussions focussing on the global financial crisis. Dignitaries included UPU Director General Edouard Dayan, Russian Post Director General Alexander Kisselev and Igor Shegolev, Russian minister of telecommunications and communication.