BILL Express has entered into a partnership with Jamaica Post to begin offering bill payment services at post offices islandwide, a deal that will increase its branch network by nearly a third by early next year.

The GraceKennedy Limited bill payment services subsidiary will set up shop immediately in 39 Jamaica Post locations and at least another 36 locations are expected to come on stream by March 2014, according to Postmaster General Michael Gentles.

“It is commercial services such as the one represented here that show our ability and willingness to adapt to the ever changing methods of conducting commerce locally and in the global marketplace. It is partnerships such as the one demonstrated here today that will play a part in the modernisation of the postal service and ensure its survival,” Gentles said at a signing ceremony held at the Central Sorting Office in Kingston.

Through the Bill Express outlets at the post offices, persons will be able to make over 40 different bill payments, including for electricity, cable, hospital, and tuition.

The new agreement marks an end to a long partnership between Jamaica Post and Bill Express rival Paymaster, which had been offering bill payment services at post offices since 2000. Gentles refused to comment on why the State agency decided to switch alliance.

“It’s a matter that is ongoing, so I don’t want to go there,” Gentles told the Business Observer.

Joan-Marie Powell, managing director of GraceKennedy Money Service, revealed that the deal represented Bill Express’s biggest agent alliance to date. The company already offers bill payment services at 250 locations throughout the Caribbean and since 2000 has grown to become the dominant player in the industry.

Powell said further expansion is planned throughout the Caribbean in the short term, and subsequently outside of the region.

“GraceKennedy’s plan is to be a global consumer company and, being a subsidiary of GraceKennedy, our plan is to expand to the Caribbean first and maybe (elsewhere) in another couple of years,” she said.

Jamaica Post stated that it is exploring other avenues in which it can build on its partnership with Grace Kennedy Money Services.

Meanwhile, Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell lauded the agreement as a major milestone in the evolution of a national institution, the post office.

“For many reasons this partnership makes me proud and encouraged that this administration’s push towards greater use of technology, more entrepreneurial government and improved customer service is bearing fruit,” Paulwell said during his keynote address.

— Julian Richardson