DEUTSCHE POST WELCOMES GERMAN POSTAL REFORM

DEUTSCHE POST WELCOMES GERMAN POSTAL REFORM

   Deutsche Post World Net, in a statement issued from Bonn, Germany, said it welcomed the approval by the Bundesrat to liberalize the German postal act.

   Under the new legislation, starting in 2003, letters and addressed catalogs weighing more than 100 grams will be open to competition. From 2006, the weight limit will be reduced to 50 grams.

   At present, Deutsche Post still has an exclusive license for letters weighing up to 200 grams.

   The move by the Bundesrat is in line with a directive issued by the European Union to liberalize the postal market in Europe.

   Dr. Klaus Zumwinkel, chairman of Deutsche Post World Net’s board of management, said that, “the further steps that need to be taken (toward liberalization) … are reasonable. They create planning security, and will have a positive impact on Deutsche Post as strong European market player.”

   Deutsche Post World Net, a logistics provider with more than 300,000 employees, has four major divisions: Deutsche Post, DHL, Danzas, and Postbank.