The State of Qatar has chosen Basingstoke’s De La Rue Identity Systems to supply an integrated end-to-end ePassport solution, providing it with an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliant biometric document which includes the latest high security features and is integrated into Qatar’s existing eID scheme.

De La Rue has supplied Qatar’s travel documents for over 15 years. De La Rue’s latest integrated solution incorporates ePassport documents, MIDIS™ document issuing system and the recently launched SIPS™ 500e for automated ePassport personalisation. Used in conjunction with De La Rue’s secure laminate MLIS™, SIPS™ 500e automatically both encodes the chips with the holder’s personal and biometric data and personalises the physical document. Sophisticated tracking and audit control features ensure that the secure laminates and passports are recorded and tracked as the document moves through the system. This provides the reassurance that every passport issued is a unique document, properly assigned to the correct individual.

James Thorburn, Managing Director of De La Rue Identity Systems, commented,

We’re very proud to be working in partnership with the State of Qatar to launch the region’s first ePassport. The new document will enable the Government to offer an enhanced level of service and security to its citizens and visitors, marking a new phase in passport issuing in the Middle East.