Move to import 6.23m more MRP booklets

The Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has taken an initiative to import more than 6.23 million (62.3 lakh) machine readable passport (MRP) booklets apart the same number of laminates, officials have said.

As part of the move, an administrative sanction has already been given to the DIP by the MoHA for opening a letter of credit (L/C) for importing the accessories in the third phase, a high official of the DIP has said.

The DIP imported about 2.01 million (20.1 lakh) MRP booklets and as many laminates and RFID solutions in the first phase and over 4.7 million MRP booklets and 4.7 million laminates in the second phase, he said. In 2013 the government had selected a UK-based firm named 'De La Rue International Ltd' for supply of 15 million MRP booklets and other necessary accessories.  The government authorities concerned have to convert all Bangladeshi manual passports to the MRP version by November 2015.

An official concerned told the FE: "We hope to supply MRPs to over 8.0 million (80 lakh) expatriate Bangladeshis by November 2015 according to the directive of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)."

However, sources said delivery of MRPs to all expatriates might miss the deadline mainly due to lack of necessary logistic support and initiatives. The MRPs had been introduced on April 1, 2010, in the country to speed up clearance and enhance travellers' security.

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