Venkat Raman
Auckland, September 4, 2019
The Government of Fiji is preparing to launch its E-Passport system with the final test expected to be conducted Friday, September 6, 2019.
It is understood that Muhlbauer ID Services GmbH, a Border Solutions Company based in Roding in Bavaria, Germany has been contracted to develop the system.
The Fijian Immigration Department(FID) is hoping to rollout the new system covering about 5000 E-Passports as early as next week.
System Verification, Staff Training
Yogesh Karan, Permanent Secretary at the Office of Prime Minister and Acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said that a team led by Ludwig Huber, Vice-President of the Company is currently in Fiji to conduct the final round of tests and verifications.
“There are series of tests to be conducted. About a month ago, we had the factory acceptance test in Germany and this was done to help staff familiarise themselves with the new system. The result of this test was successful,” Mr Karan said.
Biometric Data
He said that the tests would be confirm and certify that Fiji’s E-Passports system is compatible with the International Border Management System.
“If all goes according to plan, we will be having our final test this Friday (September 6, 2019). With the assistance of the group from Germany, we will also train staff on collecting biometric data, among other technical capabilities. The data will be integrated into the system and once this is successfully done, the full test is completed, and we will be ready with our e-passport rollout,” Mr Karan said.
He appealed to the people using the services of the Immigration and other Departments to bear with any inconvenience caused during the transformation process.
“Fijians with the old passports can continue to use them. However, applications for new E-Passports will also be facilitated,” Mr Karan said.
E-Passports System is a part of the government’s efforts of embracing appropriate and new technology for productivity improvement, he added.
