Biometrics to watchlists: Govt eyes automated border screening with US firm
Under the proposed architecture, immigration authorities would receive passenger information prior to flight departures, automatically screening profiles against Interpol databases and domestic watchlists to flag security risks in advance.
Highlights:
- Govt plans to engage US-based Securiport to modernise Bangladesh's immigration, border management
- Securiport asked to submit detailed technical, financial proposal by 22 October
- Proposed system would screen passenger data against Interpol databases, domestic security watchlists before arrival
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved pursuing direct procurement from Securiport on 9 September
- Three committees to scrutinise company's technical capabilities, proposed fees and draft agreement
- Govt wants guarantees on data ownership, cybersecurity, technology transfer and system continuity before any agreement
The government is moving to engage US-based Securiport to modernise Bangladesh's immigration and border management system, seeking a comprehensive technical and financial proposal through direct procurement.
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury wrote to Securiport President and Chief Executive Officer Enrique Segura on 4 October, inviting the company to submit a detailed proposal by 22 October.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
A senior home ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Securiport submitted an initial proposal to the home secretary on 2 July. The company expressed interest in establishing an integrated immigration and border management network across all international entry and exit points in Bangladesh.
Under the proposed architecture, immigration authorities would receive passenger information prior to flight departures, automatically screening profiles against Interpol databases and domestic watchlists to flag security risks in advance. Officials could then take targeted action, drastically reducing clearance times for regular travellers.
However, officials stress that the plan remains in its early stages.
"The initiative is still at a preliminary phase," Manzur Morshed told The Business Standard on 7 October. He noted that while the previous administration initiated plans to introduce Advance Passenger Information Systems (APIS) alongside existing immigration setups, the current government is working to take the vision forward.
"It is too early to say when this will happen – or whether it will happen at all," he added. Asked why the ministry opted for direct procurement over an open competitive tender, he declined to comment, citing the preliminary nature of the discussions.
According to its website, Securiport specialises in advanced border security systems deployed across dozens of nations, offering biometric identification, passenger-data screening, real-time threat detection, and e-visa solutions.
Securiport's framework proposes combining existing operations with:
- Advance Passenger Information (APIS) and Passenger Name Records (PNR)
- Electronic Visas (e-visa) and Electronic Travel Authorisation (e-TA)
- Biometric verification and national watchlists
- Real-time integration with Interpol databases
- Advanced data screening, analytics, and supporting ICT infrastructure
The home ministry official added that the initial proposal covers domestic data hosting, absolute government ownership, long-term operational support, and comprehensive technology transfer.
Following Securiport's submission, the home ministry sought approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to pursue direct procurement. The Committee approved the request on 9 September, according to Cabinet Division sources.
A steering committee headed by Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed was subsequently formed, holding its first meeting on 30 September.
During the steering committee meeting, key cabinet members backed the initiative while calling for strict scrutiny.
Committees to scrutinise proposal
Minutes of the steering committee meeting show that Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhtar said strengthening national security and modernising immigration management were in the national interest
She added that her ministry would provide the necessary support for an integrated system incorporating e-visa, e-TA and data analytics.
Finance Secretary Md Khayeruzzaman Majumder suggested inviting a comprehensive technical and financial proposal from Securiport.
He said the proposal should be examined and evaluated against financial regulations, public procurement rules, and the broader interests of the government and the public.
The steering committee subsequently decided to seek a detailed proposal from Securiport.
Three committees formed for scrutiny
To evaluate the upcoming 22 October submission, the steering committee established three specialised evaluation bodies:
- Due Diligence and Technical Evaluation Committee (9 members): Tasked with assessing Securiport's legal status, financial health, technical capabilities, and track record.
- Fee-Rate Proposal Committee (7 members): Assigned to review proposed immigration facilitation fees often levied on international air tickets against global benchmarks.
- Negotiation and Draft Agreement Committee (9 members): Charged with determining the scope of work, service-level agreements (SLAs), key performance indicators (KPIs), timelines, payment schedules, and risk-sharing. This committee will also draft provisions governing data sovereignty, cybersecurity, IP rights, software licensing continuity, accountability, and exit mechanisms.
Focus on data sovereignty and costs
In his letter to Securiport, Manzur Morshed specified that the final proposal must clearly outline operational requirements, legal compliance, and cost frameworks, clearly defining the boundaries of responsibility between Securiport and the government at every stage.
He underscored that any agreement must guarantee complete government ownership of data, system continuity, technology transfer, and clear transition protocols.
Meanwhile, official records reveal an unapproved project without budget allocation in the current fiscal year's Annual Development Programme (ADP) titled "Implementation of e-Visa, Bangladesh." Scheduled to run from July 2026 to June 2031 at an estimated cost of Tk1,800 crore, it remains unconfirmed whether this allocation directly relates to the Securiport initiative.
