SOPA leads fight to retain HK print mailing charges

HONG KONG: The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) is lobbying the government to reconsider plans to abolish the printed paper rate, a special rate for the mailing of print products such as magazines and newspapers. SOPA chairman Barrie Goodridge said regional newspapers and magazines based in Hong Kong should receive special consideration. "Most international publishers in Asia are based in Hong Kong and we are their biggest customers - Hong Kong Post should be giving their best customers the best possible terms," said Goodridge, who is also the chief executive of Publicitas. "I understand that Hong Kong Post is in deficit but if they don't listen to us, it could encourage some of the publishers to print elsewhere, which would aggravate its position, not improve it." Frank Procter, chairman of the SOPA sub-committee on government relations and general manager of Newsweek Pacific, said: "Publishers would be forced to use the bulk economy rate, which means worse service and the non-timely delivery of our products to our readers" if the printed paper rate were abolished. He said one possible solution was to significantly improve the bulk economy service first before scrapping the printed paper rate. Hong Kong Post recently deferred its average 6.5 per cent increase in postal charges - the first such hike in four years - from October this year to April next year. A spokesman said that the deferment took "into account the current economic situation", as well as calls from the public for a postponement. Procter described the decision as a positive sign, saying the Government was reacting to public concerns. "We had also put forward our arguments against a hike this year because noone has budgeted for increased postal costs this year. We've asked that any upward revision take place in the new budget year beginning next April, which gives businesses time to prepare themselves for higher costs," he said.

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