Nepal Launches New Passport Issuance System
The government of Nepal has officially begun issuing passports through a new system. The launch took place on Monday, June 13th (29 Ashar), at the Department of Passports in Kathmandu. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal inaugurated the process by distributing passports to Oscar Gurung and Nimesh Shahi under the new system. This transition marks the end of a 15-year contract with the French company Idemia, which had been printing Nepal's passports. Passports printed by a German company will now be issued starting from this date.
The implementation of a new passport issuance system signifies a strategic shift in Nepal's national identification infrastructure. This move away from a long-standing foreign provider, Idemia, to a new German company suggests a re-evaluation of technological capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and potentially data security protocols. Such transitions are critical for ensuring the integrity and efficiency of border control and citizen services. The government's objective is likely to modernize the system, potentially reduce processing times, and enhance security features in line with international standards. Evaluating the long-term impact will involve monitoring the new system's performance, reliability, and the overall citizen experience over the next decade, particularly in the context of increasing global mobility and digital identity management.
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