Testing of Border Control System launched

Testing has commenced of the MVR600-million Border Control System, established by Immigration Department in collaboration with Malaysia’s Nexbiz, following completion of phase one of the project.

A senior official of the Immigration Department said today that the Nexbiz Border Control System accounts for sixty percent of the system currently utilised at the airport, and that it is so far being used only for tourists.

“The system facilitates taking fingerprints and full passport scanning of tourists,” he said.

He informed that the system will be fully launched next week, which will facilitate scanning of Maldivians entering and exiting Maldives as well.

He said that problems associated with the system will be identified and solved under the current phase, and that it will take about one year to complete all phases of the project.

The Border Control System project has been accused of corruption, and has had to be halted on several occasions subsequent to orders by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The project resumed at the end of last month following a Supreme Court Order which annulled the High Court Order to halt the project.

The agreement signed between the Immigration Department and Malaysia’s Nexbiz allows Nexbiz to charge $2 on every passenger travelling to and from Maldives, and $15 on every new and renewal visa application for a period of 22 years.