IRIS, HEITECH PADU BIDDING TO SUPPLY SMART PASSPORTS TO NEPAL

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- Two Malaysian companies are vying to supply
Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) to the Nepalese government, racing to
modernise its immigration operations ahead of an international deadline.

IRIS Corporation Berhad and Heitech Padu Berhad had joined a list of
international bidders to supply MRPs to Nepal which needs about a million
passports a year.

"These two companies have expressed interest to supply the MRPs to Nepal and
have submitted their proposals. Nepal needs about four million e-passports
(electronic) over the next four years," Ilankovan Kolandavelu, Malaysian
Ambassador to Nepal, told Bernama.

Nepal immigration authorities have to comply with the April 1 international
deadline to introduce MRP as countries around the globe are moving towards
electronic passports for security purpose and to ease travel.

Seventeen companies responded to Nepal Government's earlier tenders which
was later called off. The Foreign Ministry cited "technical reasons" in the
tendering process for the cancellation.

The e-passport is expected to cost the government US$70 million (RM240
million).

Both the internationally-reputed Malaysian companies having expertise in
producing electronic passports will be competing with India which is also
bidding for the project.

The Indians had offered to print each MRP at US$4 (RM14).

Iris and its joint-venture partners recently won a similar project in
Bangladesh to supply MRPs and Machine Readable Visa, a contract worth nearly
RM259.70 million (US$75.7 million).
-- BERNAMA