Timor-Leste plans to introduce electronic passports in order to improve the security of citizens traveling overseas.
National Director for Registry and Notary Victor da Costa Neto said the request came after some Timorese travelers experienced difficulties passing through screening gates at international airports.
“Our passports cannot be detected by the machine at international airports,” said Neto in Dili.
Another issue was that the current passports were not produced according to the standards and specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Neto said Timor must change to an electronic system so that passports could be detected during the screening process.
Singapore’s Gemalto Company won the tender to produce the new e-passports, which should be ready for use in 2017.
National MP Paul Moniz said the reality showed that current passport could not be detected at international airports such as those in Europe.
“We have many experiences when we go overseas when our passport cannot be detected at international airports,” he said.
He also called on the government to continue to monitor the progress of the company to ensure the delivery of high quality e-passports.
