Gemalto selected for Belgian e-passport

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, has announced that it will supply Belgium with its Sealys ePassport, due to be introduced in May 2014. Gemalto will provide the Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs with more than 400 000 e-passports every year and Zetes will serve as the system integrator in this long-term agreement.

E-passports, also known as electronic and biometric passports, can be read via authorised contactless readers and incorporate a microprocessor. Powered by Gemalto's highly secure embedded software, the e-passports store unique personal characteristics, such as a fingerprint, providing robust and reliable authentication of the holder's identity. Under a five-year contract, Gemalto will supply the Belgian e-passport programme with its Sealys range of highly secure and durable e-passport booklets, and its latest ICAO secure embedded software. Zetes is responsible for the personalisation and delivery of the e-passports. The combined expertise of Gemalto and Zetes was proven in a series of rigorous audits conducted by the Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs at both Gemalto and Zetes sites.

"Gemalto and Zetes have the know-how necessary to ensure that the customer benefits from our successful experience of rolling out the Belgian e-ID cards, and this is why the national authorities have the continued confidence in our expert team,"said Alain Wirtz, CEO of Zetes Group. "With 80 references in government programmes worldwide, Gemalto was clearly positioned as a strong partner to meet the very high expectations of the Belgian e-passport project."

"The Belgian e-passport is certainly one of the most advanced ever created," said Fr'ed'eric Trojani, Senior Vice-President of Government Programs at Gemalto. "Our successful experience, acquired through a large number of national passport programmes worldwide, has clearly enabled this accomplishment, for the benefit of Belgian citizens and public service alike."