Cayman Islands Postal Service to participate in Overseas Workshop

By: Hayley Reid

 Acting Postmaster General Melissa Martinez-Ebanks and Mails Manager Henry McField of the Cayman Islands Postal Service are set to participate in the Electronic Advance Data, Customs Declaration System (EAD/CDS), and Postal Security Training Workshop, which will be held in Miami, Florida from 8-11 August 2023.

Both Ms Martinez-Ebanks and Mr Fields received fellowships from the event hosts, the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) International Bureau and the United States Postal Service, which will cover the cost of the trip.

During the workshop, members from the Caribbean Postal Union and the Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal will discuss a range of topics including Electronic Advance Data and Disaster Recovery Management programmes, as well as receive training on several key tools to enhance their services. The workshop will also provide a venue for postal operators to share best practices and discuss the potential for further advancement within their country or region.

Late last year, through their dedication to excellence in our postal security, the Cayman Islands Postal Service earned the UPU S58 and S59 Silver Certification, joining the company of Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines all of whom hold varied levels of certifications.

Postmaster General, Ms Sheena Glasgow, stated, “Earning the certification is a fantastic achievement and shows the commitment of our CIPS managers and staff to enhancing our competitiveness while also working to meet international standards. However, there is always room for improvement, and we are actively working towards obtaining a Gold+ certification, the highest certification level from the Universal Postal Union.

She further noted, “We have received recommendations of areas where there can be further security improvements and have already begun implementing them. The EAD/CDS and Postal Security Training Workshop will be an invaluable experience for Mr. McField and Ms. Martinez-Ebanks and their attendance will no doubt contribute to our operational readiness and the further development of our e-commerce.”

The UPU security standards S58 (General security measures) and S59 (Office of exchange and international airmail security) are internationally recognized and their objective is the protection of the international postal supply chain. Ensuring the safe and secure exchange of mail among all member countries is critical for the continued viability of the postal sector. There are five levels of certification, entry-level or basic certification, Level C (Bronze), Level B (Silver), Level A (Gold), and the Plus certification. Each member country is re-evaluated every three years.