The government of Panama has chosen the consortium led by Morpho (Safran group) and comprised of Thomas Greg & Sons, a specialist in secure printing, and IAFIS, Morpho's trusted partner for implementation and management of biometric projects in Latin America, to supply highly secure e-Passports. Morpho is a leading provider of electronic documents and identity management solutions.
Under the contract, Morpho will supply biometric enrollment stations for capturing photographs, fingerprints and signatures of passport applicants. The contract also includes the provision of a latest-generation identity management and document personalization system to ensure secure issuance of e-Passports. In addition, the company will ensure maintenance of the system over a 5-year period.
The state-of-the-art e-Passports will feature laser-engraved data pages made of polycarbonate, the most resistant material on the market today. They will enable Panama to offer an enhanced level of security to its citizens by safeguarding against identity theft, protecting privacy and ensuring secure identification of passport holders.
"We chose Morpho based on its sound experience in identity management, biometrics and secure electronic documents. This is a key project for Panama and we are confident in Morpho's ability to deliver a secure solution that meets industry standards" stated Carmen A. Bernárdez, Panama's National Passport Director. "Morpho has delivered advanced biometric systems in 18 Latin American countries to date. We are very enthusiastic about supporting Panama's government in its move to implement a modern and highly secure passport solution", stated Jean-Paul Jainsky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morpho. The first passports are expected to be issued in early 2013.
