Biometrics

Bangladesh Starts Transition to ePassports

In the capital Dhaka, the Department of Immigration and Passports opens a new personalization and issuance center for modern electronic passports on January 22nd. The new ePassports can now be applied for. German company Veridos provides the technology for the holistic setup and execution of the new travel documents.

The opening of the center marks an important milestone in the People’s Republic’s transition to the latest generation of electronic travel documents, which meet the highest security requirements. The state-of-the-art ePassports are part of a comprehensive project that includes the entire value-chain containing the supply, installation, and implementation of next generation ePassports and state-of-the-art border control infrastructure.

The polycarbonate ePassport datapages are equipped with a chip and Veridos’ latest color personalization technology CLIP ID®. This allows the holder’s photograph to be reproduced with maximum color brilliance and greatly simplifies visual checks. The new ICAO-compliant (International Civil Aviation Organization) ePassports  enable citizens to travel more comfortably and safely. The country’s first new ePassport will be presented  to the Hon. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina at the ceremony for the launch of the new ePassport in Dhaka on the 22nd of January.

The technology for the new travel documents is delivered by Veridos, a world leading provider of integrated identity solutions. In 2018, Veridos and the Department of Immigration and Passports of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh signed a far-reaching contract. Under the partnership, Veridos will provide electronic passports and 50 eGates for all international airports and land border crossings in Bangladesh. The order has a term of twelve years and a volume of approximately 340 million euros. This partnership will create a large number of high qualified jobs in Bangladesh and will result in an extensive know-how transfer for a strong economy.

“We are very happy with the opening of the new personalization and issuance center in Dhaka. Our joint modernisation project has reached a significant milestone in a comprehensive project covering the entire value-chain of ePassports ­ enabling Bangladeshi citizens to travel more easily and safely, with the additional benefit of more efficient border controls,” says Andreas Räschmeier, Veridos CEO. “As it progresses, Bangladesh will issue the largest number of passports with color image in the world and its citizens will own one of the most modern and secure ePassports.”