Chennai, 03 November 2023:

On 02 November 2023, ‘e-Passport’ has officially been inaugurated in Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, Chennai with jubilation and fervour. The Launching ceremony was graced by Mr. Venkatachalam IFS, Head of Ministry of External Affairs Branch Secretariat in Chennai, Mr. Kovendhan, Regional Passport Officer in Chennai, Mr. Arun Sakthi Kumar, Head of Foreigner Regional Registration Offices in Chennai. Mr. Choza Nachiyar, President of Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Sathyamoorthy, Chairman of Indian Chamber of Commerce, CEOs and high officials from prominent health facilities in Tamil Nadu, members of e-Passport installation team from Dhaka, diplomats, educationists, professionals and Bangladeshi nationals living in Chennai also attended the program.  

Bangladeshi nationals staying in five states of South India, namely Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, as well as Union Territories such as Puducherry, Daman and Diu can apply for e-Passport in the Mission.

Initiation of e-Passport and Automatic Border Control is a milestone of the current government’s continued effort to the development initiatives. Squadron Leader Hasib Imran, Deputy Project Director of E-Passport installation team from Dhaka enlightened the guests about the progress of e-Passport installation in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi Missions abroad.

Mr. Shelley Salehin, Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner, in his remarks highlighted on the development landscape of Bangladesh, and outlined different initiatives of the Government, particularly the initiatives to build digital Bangladesh. Implementation of e-Passport system is one of the milestones in realizing Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision of ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041 he added. He also encouraged the business communities and CEOs of various hospitals to invest in the health sector of Bangladesh for mutual benefit. He assured that such investment will not only help developing heath sector of Bangladesh, but also will boost health tourism of Tamil Nadu through branding and networking.    

After official inauguration, delivery slips were handed over to the applicants followed by refreshments."