The 15th ASEAN Postal Business Meeting opened?in Singapore?on Thursday, providing a platform for participants from the region to explore cooperation.

Lee Boon Yang, Singapore's Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, said at the opening ceremony that the postal sector may also be affected by the current financial crisis and economic slowdown, if consumers and businesses cut back on spending.

He added, "Besides the global financial crisis and economic situation, there are deeper and more far-reaching forces at work that will pose challenges for the postal sector."

He pointed out, the uncertain economy, technology change and industry liberalization are some of the key issues that the postal sector must address.

He said this year's meeting is timely and important as it provides an annual platform for operators to leverage on each other's strength through cooperation and partnership, to share best practices, and discuss key issues in postal sector reforms and business development strategies.

This two-day forum has also attracted participation from some of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) neighbors including China.??

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2008)