Doha: The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has officially granted the first postal license under the Law Regulating Postal Services to Qatar Postal Services Company (Q.P.S.C). This milestone was marked by a ceremony held by CRA to launch the postal license.
According to Qatar News Agency, this development signifies a pivotal step toward modernizing Qatar's postal sector by introducing competition and contributing to the local economy's growth, in line with the CRA Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030. The license was presented by CRA President Eng. Ahmad Abdulla AlMuslemani to Qatar Postal Services Company Chairman and Managing Director Faleh bin Mohammed Al Naemi.
Eng. AlMuslemani emphasized that awarding this license represents a significant milestone for Qatar's postal sector. By opening the market to competition, consumer options are expanded through the creation of a robust, technology-driven ecosystem. These efforts reflect CRA's commitment to consumer protection, market transparency, and fostering a dynamic sector that supports Qatar's ambitions by creating opportunities for local and international postal service providers.
He further noted that CRA aims to foster a competitive and innovative postal sector that drives e-commerce growth by aligning with global trends such as sustainability, digitalization, and last-mile solutions, contributing to economic diversification in Qatar consistent with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Al Naemi expressed pride in receiving the first postal license, highlighting that this achievement marks a significant milestone in the postal services sector. He emphasized Qatar Post's ability to adapt to modern changes, supported by its human and technical capabilities and extensive expertise accumulated over the years. He acknowledged Qatar Post's achievements over the past decade, including its development in human and technological capacities, excellence in high-quality service delivery, and recognition in global rankings for service quality and diversity.
The CRA has taken a proactive approach in implementing the Law Regulating Postal Services since its issuance. CRA has developed comprehensive regulatory tools, including postal services licenses, consumer protection policy and regulation, postal services regulation, license fees regulation, and regulation of postal quality of service obligations.
Demonstrating a commitment to transparency and inclusiveness, CRA has engaged stakeholders from both public and private sectors throughout the development process. This strategy included public consultations on initial drafts of regulatory instruments and organizing workshops to discuss stakeholder feedback, incorporating valuable inputs into the final versions to ensure a fair, transparent, and competitive regulatory framework that safeguards consumer rights.
The licensing process will be executed in two phases. Phase 1 automatically qualifies Qatar Postal Services Company as the public postal operator, granting it the first license per the Law Regulating Postal Services. Phase 2, set to conclude in April 2025, will focus on licensing additional postal service providers.
These regulatory measures will enable postal companies to offer innovative solutions in the postal market. Increased competition is expected to enhance efficiency, improve service standards, and expand consumer choices, while CRA's regulatory oversight ensures market fairness.
The Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030 identifies logistics and e-commerce as key pillars of Qatar's economic growth. The logistics sector aims for a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.6 percent in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a 2.4 percent labor productivity CAGR, and QR 25 billion in re-exports, with the postal sector playing a crucial role in enabling efficient delivery networks.