Govt.signsUS$35Mcontract...

From page 13 e x p l a i n e d , w o u l d revolutionisehowbusinessis done in Guyana and with its advanced security system it will eliminate the need for certaindocuments.

Ali said, “Through this card, the banking sector now can have fingerprint verificationandvalidationof the person who's before them.

So, the need for proof of address and all the audit documentationiseliminated. The cost of doing business, the effectiveness, the competitiveness, the efficiency all improve as a resultofthistechnology.”

The President said that the card's capabilities are also in keeping with his Government's commitment to promote eGovernance to improve the productivity of businesses and the delivery of Government services through the introduction of eHealth, eEducation, eSecurity, eAgriculture, electronicpermit,andlicense processing among other areas.

He noted that the enhancement is necessary because there is an i m m e d i a t e n e e d t o implement a robust national

Identity Management System

that focuses on the integration of identification services across government agencies, security, ease of use,andacquisitionofIDs.

The President added, “This ID system would improve access to all citizencentric Government services and benefit the citizens, p r i v a t e s e c t o r a n d Governmentalike.

This will bring us in line with solutions used by the most developed economies, and position Guyana to be a competitive sphere in a world that is advancing drastically along a technologicallandscape.”

Thesystem,andthecards by extension, according to the President, will also allow for the issuance of work permits and resident identification.

“E-ID systems promote the idea of one citizen, one identity by assigning a unique national registration number to each citizen for use by all Government agencies,”Alinoted.

The Head of State also noted that in addition to improving Government services, the system will also benefittheprivatesector

He continued, “So, the cost of doing business, the e f f e c t i v e n e s s , t h e competitiveness, the efficiency all improved as a resultofthistechnology.”

Moreover, President Ali also stated that the system will adhere to the highest level of international standards.

According to him, “The system allows the capture of individuals' biographical and biometric information based on international standards and stores it to provide identity-based services to individuals and other Governmentoffices.

The ID and resident cards are laser engraved, black and white technology with secure, pre-printed designs and devices for a s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t polycarbonate document, which includes a chip that can integrate a variety of servicestotheindividual.”

The President said the system and software will be tailored for Guyana and will include implementation services, training of administratorsandoperators, local help desk support and 60 months of support and maintenance. The project is expected to have a 12-month implementationperiod.