A workshop marking the commencement of Fiji’s National ID Program was held in Suva last week. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF), the Fijian Government, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The program aims to establish an electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) process to empower citizens and improve financial inclusion.
Shaheen Ali, the Permanent Secretary for Trade, emphasized the government’s commitment to creating a secure and scalable national database that supports accurate and inclusive identification processes. He highlighted that the National ID system is crucial for simplifying access to government and private sector services for Fijians.
ADB’s Regional Director for the Pacific Subregional Office, Aaron Batten, noted that the National Digital ID and e-KYC align with the ADB’s Fiji country partnership strategy for 2024-2028. The strategy focuses on offering sustainable and efficient public services and building a resilient, inclusive, and efficient financial system.
RBF Governor Ariff Ali underscored the importance of a National Digital ID system in today’s interconnected world. He compared the National ID to a key that opens doors, enabling citizens to access essential services such as healthcare, education, and banking more efficiently. “We believe that a strong National Digital ID system will empower citizens by improving access to basic services and fostering economic growth,” Ali stated.
The project is expected to take at least 36 months to complete. A steering committee co-chaired by Deputy Prime Ministers Manoa Kamikamica and Professor Biman Prasad, along with Governor Ali, has been established to lead the initiative.
The National ID Program is part of Fiji’s broader National Digital Strategy, led by the Ministry of Communications in collaboration with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The strategy will use GovStack, an open-source digital government platform designed to accelerate public service transformation.
Source: The Fiji Times
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October 8, 2024 – by the Mobile ID World Editorial Team
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