Maldives Immigration is set to expand biometric screening capacity at Velana International Airport through a Japanese-funded facial recognition system valued at approximately USD 1.2 million.
The Government of Japan donated 48 facial recognition systems to be installed at immigration counters at the country’s main international gateway. The equipment was provided under the Economic and Social Development Programme, following an exchange of notes signed on 21 May 2020.
The donation is intended to strengthen border control operations and support the work of Maldives Immigration and Maldives Customs Service in enhancing public safety, security screening and operational preparedness.
The equipment was handed over by the Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Her Excellency Ishigami Rumiko, and received by the Controller General of Immigration, Commissioner of Police (Retd) Ahmed Faseeh. Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan also attended the ceremony, along with other officials and stakeholders.
The system has been supplied by NEC Corporation of Japan, which provides biometric authentication technology used in airports, border checkpoints and critical infrastructure facilities across more than 50 countries and regions. NEC’s facial recognition technology has also been ranked highly by the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Ambassador Ishigami said the cooperation reflected Japan’s commitment to supporting safer and more efficient international travel through Japanese technology, while marking another step in the partnership between Japan and the Maldives.
The donation comes as the Maldives continues to modernise border management systems amid rising passenger traffic through Velana International Airport. The Government of Japan said the equipment is expected to support safer, more secure and more efficient travel, while contributing to the Maldives’ wider economic and social development.
