MALTAPOST p.l.c.
Annual Financial Report and Consolidated Financial Statements - 30 September 2023
1
Chairman’s Report
During the period under review, the postal sector emerged from the challenges posed by the aftermath of
the global pandemic and the fallout of the war in Ukraine. At MaltaPost, the financial year ending 30
September 2023, was one of adjustment to industry challenges and realities. A year of further changes in
consumer and business behaviour resulting from an inflationary economic environment, tight labour
markets and where consumers experienced a cost-of-living squeeze.
It is against this background that your Board of Directors is pleased to report a satisfactory set of results,
registering a pre-tax profit of €2.3 million, an increase of €1.7m over the previous year’s profits. Earnings
per share rose to €0.02, allowing your Board to propose at the Annual General Meeting, a final net dividend
of €0.02 per nominal share of €0.125, payable in cash or by way of scrip.
The year-on-year decline in Letter Mail volumes was exacerbated by the initiatives of local commercial
entities, when stopping the posting of paper documents , citing environmental sustainability.
Notwithstanding the improvement in our profitability, our results would have improved further had it not
been for the losses we incurred to fulfil a number of services within the Universal Postal Service Obligation
in Malta, mainly, though not exclusively, concerning local Letter Mail.
During the financial year, some tariff revisions were finally approved by the Malta Communications Authority
and accordingly implemented. According to European Union guidelines, MaltaPost is classified as an SGEI,
that is a provider of Services of General Economic Interest. The EU acknowledges that; “….in today's digital
world, ordinary mail continues to be replaced by digital communications. This puts a strain on the activities
of postal operators, which continue to offer a service that is important for citizens”. In this regard the Postal
Services Directive of the EU acknowledges the differences in the postal markets of EU countries, and gives
flexibility to EU member countries, allowing them to adapt elements of domestic postal services to their
particular needs. Indeed, it even allows the granting of state aid to postal operators in the fulfilment of
services such as the delivery of local mail.
As matters stand today, MaltaPost continues to carry an unfair financial burden especially in the case of
delivery of local mail. Despite the recent tariff adjustments, the domestic postal service tariffs in Malta
remain the lowest in Europe. While MaltaPost is not seeking state aid, it however should not be expected
to subsidise certain loss-making services.
The postal service in Malta continues to play a central role in the daily life of the community and contributes
positively to the national economy. However, persistently rising labour costs, our major expense force
MaltaPost to request revision of tariffs, and this inspite of significant cost-cutting exercises. In this regard,
we are in discussions with the Regulator so as to arrive at an Automated Tariff Adjustment Mechanism
establishing a price cap per postal service falling under the Universal Service. Once implemented, this
mechanism should go a long way to ensure that MaltaPost does not suffer financially to deliver any service
provided under the Universal Service Obligation.
In 2023, the Company continued to manage costs while transforming itself to meet the evolving demands
of the domestic and international parcels and packets business. To this effect, critical changes were made
to our Letter Mail and parcels flows to render our last mile delivery more efficient. The parcel and e-
commerce business continue to drive our strategy for growth where we see significant potential. Further
IT investment shall continue to allow the Company to keep in step with both the postal services industry
worldwide as well as the demands and expectations of consumers.
As a company listed on the Malta Stock Exchange, we reaffirm our determination to continue providing an
efficient and quality postal service to the nation-wide community, a fair return to our circa 1,900
shareholders and a secure and a fulfilling workplace for our 763 staff members.