MRP, MRV launched
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday launched the long-awaited Machine Readable Passport (MRP) and Machine Readable Visa (MRV) elevating the country's passport and visa system to international standard, reports UNB.
"Introduction of MRP and MRV would put an end to tampering of passport and visa and harassment particularly faced by the innocent expatriate Bangladeshi workers," she said while inaugurating the launching of the MRP and MRV at a function at the Osmani Memorial Hall.
The Prime Minister said the MRP and MRV would also play a role in checking drugs and arms smugglers as well as militant and terrorist activities.
"No more handwritten passport…Today we entered the digital era with the introduction of MRP and MRV," an upbeat Hasina told the function.
In March 2009, the present government approved the introduction of Machine Readable Passport (MRP) and Machine Readable Visa (MRV) project at a cost of Tk 5.26 billion (526 crore).
Hasina said the five-year project is progressing fast and on completion of the project, the MRP and MRV activities would not end as it is a continuing process.
With the introduction of the MRP and MRV, she said, one will not be able to use double passports. Data and statistics of the Bangladeshi travelers, who will leave the country or who will enter the country from abroad, will be preserved.
Home Minister Sahara Khatun first handed over the Prime Minister's MRP to her. Later, the Prime Minister handed over 14 MRPs to 14 people, including ministers, teachers, journalists, students and labourers.
The Prime Minister informed that nineteen new regional passport offices will be set up in the country in addition to the existing 15 regional passport offices.
Regional passport offices will be established in phases in each district to reach the MRP and MRV to the doorstep of the people, she said.
Hasina said necessary equipment and manpower will be in place at Bangladesh missions abroad to issue MRP and MRV for Bangladeshis living in foreign countries. She asked the Foreign Minister and the Home Minister to take necessary actions in this respect.
"Introduction of MRP and MRV would put an end to tampering of passport and visa and harassment particularly faced by the innocent expatriate Bangladeshi workers," she said while inaugurating the launching of the MRP and MRV at a function at the Osmani Memorial Hall.
The Prime Minister said the MRP and MRV would also play a role in checking drugs and arms smugglers as well as militant and terrorist activities.
"No more handwritten passport…Today we entered the digital era with the introduction of MRP and MRV," an upbeat Hasina told the function.
In March 2009, the present government approved the introduction of Machine Readable Passport (MRP) and Machine Readable Visa (MRV) project at a cost of Tk 5.26 billion (526 crore).
Hasina said the five-year project is progressing fast and on completion of the project, the MRP and MRV activities would not end as it is a continuing process.
With the introduction of the MRP and MRV, she said, one will not be able to use double passports. Data and statistics of the Bangladeshi travelers, who will leave the country or who will enter the country from abroad, will be preserved.
Home Minister Sahara Khatun first handed over the Prime Minister's MRP to her. Later, the Prime Minister handed over 14 MRPs to 14 people, including ministers, teachers, journalists, students and labourers.
The Prime Minister informed that nineteen new regional passport offices will be set up in the country in addition to the existing 15 regional passport offices.
Regional passport offices will be established in phases in each district to reach the MRP and MRV to the doorstep of the people, she said.
Hasina said necessary equipment and manpower will be in place at Bangladesh missions abroad to issue MRP and MRV for Bangladeshis living in foreign countries. She asked the Foreign Minister and the Home Minister to take necessary actions in this respect.