Government of Japan Donates Facial Recognition System to Maldives Immigration

 

 

Malé, June 25, 2026 – The Government of Japan has donated the facial recognition system valued at approximately USD 1.2 million (Japanese Yen ¥ 177,570,000), procured under the Economic and Social Development Programme (ESDP), for which the exchange of notes was signed on May 21, 2020 , intended to strengthen the capacity and capability of the Maldives Immigration and Maldives Customs Service for border control and bolster operational readiness in efforts towards public safety and protection.

At the ceremony, the equipment was handed over by Her Excellency Mrs. ISHIGAMI Rumiko, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, and received by Mr. Ahmed Faseeh, Controller General of Immigration, Commissioner of Police (Retd). The ceremony was also graced by the Honorable Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, along with other distinguished guests and stakeholders. The handover includes 48 facial recognition systems to be installed at immigration counters at Velana International Airport. The system is supplied by NEC Corporation of Japan, a global leader in biometric authentication solutions. NEC’s facial recognition technology has repeatedly been ranked as the world’s most accurate by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and is currently utilized at airports, border checkpoints, and critical infrastructure facilities in more than 50 countries and regions worldwide.

Her Excellency Mrs. ISHIGAMI noted in her remarks that this cooperation reflects Japan’s commitment to supporting safer and more efficient international travel through trusted Japanese technology and stands as an important milestone of the strong partnership between Japan and the Maldives. The Government of Japan hopes that this donation will further strengthen border management capabilities in the Maldives while facilitating safe, secure, and efficient international travel, thereby contributing to the country’s continued economic and social development.

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