Utility bills can be paid at post offices

Utility bills and fines can now be paid at any of the country's 95-plus post offices under a new service.

Utility bills and fines can now be paid at any of the country's 95-plus post offices following the launch yesterday of a new service by the Federal Electricity and Water Authority. "The facility of paying FEWA bills and fines through post offices reflects our commitment to easing procedures and providing more convenient payment alternatives," said Ibrahim al Qatari, the authority's financial manager.

The new service is part of efforts to simplify payment procedures for consumers. "We are confident this will allow FEWA to raise its service standards," said Mr Qatari. The first transaction took place yesterday at the main post office in Deira, during a presentation by senior officials from FEWA and the Emirates Post. Faisal al Nuaimi, the acting assistant chief executive of development and marketing for Emirates Post, said the initiative was "just the start" in a wide-ranging effort to co-operate with government bodies to streamline business, in a statement released through WAM, the government news agency.

The nation's postal operator, he said, had begun moving towards providing a "one-stop-shop" level of service for the public. "In the next phase, the agreement will expand to other areas of co-operation," said Mr Nuaimi, who planned to introduce further public services through the postal network soon. The launch of the service followed the signing last month of an agreement between the two agencies.

Fines and utility bills can also be paid online at the Emirates Post website: www.emiratespost.co.ae.

@Email:[e-mail]