Ep 186: Growth, banking, and privatisation at Ukrposhta

Igor Smelyanksy, CEO at Ukrposhta (Ukraine Post) is my special guest. We cover: The main drivers for domestic e-commerce growth in Ukraine Staggering growth in inbound parcels - and the investments Ukrposhta has made to cope with the increasing volumes How Ukrposhta is helping local businesses to sell online, including social media and webcasts Streamlining induction of international outbound parcels VAT on inbound international parcels Postal banking The process for Ukrposhta setting up a postal bank How helping unbanked citizens set up bank accounts will stimulate commerce Distribution of pensions Regulatory and compliance hurdles Competing with or complementing existing banks Postal privatisation Political changes that have already enabled modernisation at Ukrposhta Ukrposhta's plan to find a strategic investor to take a minority shareholding Maintaining social obligations - including offering sustainable mobile postal services to areas with dwindling populations, without seeking a government subsidy What privatisation means for employees Environmental initiatives Out-of-home parcel delivery vs residential delivery