The People’s Republic of Bangladesh has achieved strong economic growth over the past few years, joining the emerging Next Eleven nations, and even securing a middle-income status in the process. To attain this status, the country had to go through various steps, including becoming independent of third party passport vendors, which lead to significant cost saving measures, and was achieved by increasing the local value chain through local production.

The partnership between the Bangladeshi Department of Immigration and Passports and Veridos has enabled Bangladesh to transition from Machine Readable Passports (MRP) to locally produced ePassports.

Through their partnership with Veridos, the Bangladeshi government achieved far more than just upgrading their entire passport system. Other than advancing 72 regional passport offices (RPO); 72 special branch offices, and 80 Bangladesh Foreign Missions (BM), a Public Key Infrastructure and Public Key Directory were introduced. Furthermore, the project included a Data Center and Disaster Recovery Center.

The enrollment and issuance of passports are based on an ICAO compliant ePassport solution. A total of 260 devices are now available for mobile enrollment and will be distributed among Regional Passport Offices and Foreign Missions (FMs). In addition an upgrade of an Automated Fingerprint Identification System was further implemented.

A home advantage for Bangladesh

To achieve local supply, cost reduction, and high skilled job creation, Bangladesh’s Department of Immigration & Passports (DIP) set up their own factory for ePassport production, enabled by Veridos. Daily production capacity will reach up to 25,000 ePassports. Moreover, due to a modular factory design, DIP can increase production (e.g. by adding security printing equipment, manufacturing of polycarbonate data pages, etc.) according to their needs in the future.

What happens at the border?

Veridos’ mission doesn’t just end with passports; to ensure a seamless experience through borders, a new integrated border control system was implemented. The system is equipped with the capability to read the electronic data of the ePassports and allows citizens to pass through checkpoints quickly and securely. The innovative eGate solution integrates passport forgery detection software, external systems background checks, and a complex tailgating recognition system.

We were able to assist in implementing not only  state-of-the-art eGates, designed for automated border control, but further help with the border control systems with manual control. With the newly implemented border solutions, an improved passenger flow will take place, with a faster and smoother processes. Now, the processing of departures and arrivals is easier and faster than ever before. With the help of biometric scanning technology and future proof systems,  that are adaptable to constantly changing needs, the Bangladeshi border is now the safest its ever been

A "turnkey project" to the future

The holistic setup and execution provided by Veridos is a full-scale solution supporting Bangladesh on its way to further growth. “Our citizens will enjoy the benefits of the ICAO*-compliant ePassports with convenient and secure travel. With Veridos’ unique solution portfolio for the entire value chain for passports and ID production expertise, we have found the perfect company to implement this turnkey project “, said Major General Md Masud Rezwan, Director General of Department of Immigration and Passport.

*International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Get in touch with us to learn more.