Male, October 11 (newsin.asia): Famous for its idyllic isles, the Maldives has now added another feather to its cap. It has given its citizens the world’s most advanced Identity Card, which will render an amazing range of personal services including, believe it or not, as a passport.
It is a payment card (linked to Mastercard), a driving license, an insurance card, and a health card, besides being a passport catering to all international requirements.
Citizens of the Maldives do not need to carry many cards around anymore.
The new card is certified by the Bank of Maldives as well as by Mastercard, allowing it to be used internationally like any other Mastercard.
The innovative card was developed by Maldives Immigration, together with DERMALOG of Germany, the technology provider.
Today, most ID cards have a durability of maximum of three years. But the new card of the Maldives is the world´s first bank card which is made of Polycarbonate material that can last up to ten years.
Furthermore, it contains a unique dual-interface chip for contactless and contact card reading.
What makes the new card more secure than any other payment card is the inclusion of additional passport security features, which no other bank card provides.
Gunther Mull, the CEO of DERMALOG, said that the card contains ten fingerprints for secure verification.
The “Passport Card” as it called, can be used like a regular passport and is already working at all borders of the Maldives, including the new electronic gates.
The Controller General of Maldives Immigration, Mohamed Anwar said that the door is now open for other government departments and private companies to use the new card.
And DERMALOG CEO Gunther Mull chipped in to say: “We are very proud about this very innovative and secure biometric card.”
(The featured picture at the top shows the Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen receiving the new ID cards from the Director General of Immigration Mohammed Anwar)
