Postal charges may be frozen

Postal charges could be frozen for the fourth consecutive year because of a two per cent rise in mail sent last year.

Speaking at the launch of the Hongpex 2000 stamp exhibition yesterday, Postmaster General Luk Ping-chuen said a departmental review next month would take the growing trend into account when considering rises.

'Since last July we have seen postal usage increase, and this is a great help. In the past half year our business has improved,' he said.

'The pressure to adjust postal fees has been lessened.' Charges were last increased in September 1996.

A spokesman said if an increase was to be implemented it would start well into the latter half of the year.