Memorandum of Understanding signed with General Directorate of Turkish Post (PTT)
Date: 13 February 2013
Venue: Ankara - Türkiye

Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), a subsidiary organ of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and General Directorate of Turkish Post (PTT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 13 February 2013 in Ankara, Republic of Turkey to boost joint cooperation and exchange of expertise in the field of postal communications and telecommunication. MoU was signed by Prof. Savas Alpay, Director General of SESRIC, and Mr. Osman Tural, Director General of Turkish Post (PTT) with the key objective of strengthening existing cooperation relations in various postal services related fields in order to develop and upgrade the quality of postal services among OIC Member Countries.

“This cooperation in postal services with SESRIC is of the highest value for General Directorate of Turkish Post (PTT) in order to strengthen the exchange of information on OIC Member Countries’ respective Mail Processing System, to share practices in the areas of postal services,” said Osman Tural, Turkish Post’s Director General. “Turkish Post fully supports OIC Member Countries to make successful projects that will be beneficial to both parties and that further strengthens our cooperation with Member Countries.”

“This MoU is a significant first step in extending our relationship with General Directorate of Turkish Post (PTT), and is also part of SESRIC’s strategy to enhance cooperation with various institutions for the benefit of OIC Member Countries,” said Prof. Alpay, Director General of SESRIC. “According to the statistics, some OIC Member Countries are below the world average in postal access and receiving of posts at home. For instance, while only 21.1 % of the population in Africa can receive their posts at their home, this number is 61, 3 % in Arab Countries and over than 90% in Asia and Pacific Countries. Turkey, on the other hand, has an average of 97% which is above the world average. While each postman serves an approximate of 1308 people in the world, this number is 14786 in Africa, 2869 in Arab Countries, 523 in Europe and 403 in industrialized countries.” Prof. Alpay further said the MoU would form the foundation for capacity building and extension support to postal services to establish a Postal Union among OIC Member Countries.