Thursday, July 21 2005 17:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Bangalore-based Sobha Renaissance Information Technology (SRIT) bagged $25 million e-governance contracts, under which ePassport and eAuthentication systems would be rolled out initially.

CEO of SRIT Dr Madhu Nambiar told a news conference in Bangalore today (July 21, 2005) the company would work closely with the Somali Government in implementing and deploying a successful national passport programme solution.

Soon thereafter, SRIT would execute national ID programme, automation of driver licences, vehicle registration and national health programmes, Nambiar said. The e-Passport system will regulate and systemise the issuance of passports to Somalian citizens.

Somalia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hasan Ahmed Jama said in response to a question that SRIT was chosen from among 15 bids of companies based in Asia, Europe and the United States as it "fulfilled our requirements".

Jama, accompanied by Special Advisor and Spokesperson to President of Somalia Yusuf Mohammed Ismail and the DG of the PMO, Mohammed Ali Nur, said his country is keen to automate the entire process of authentication of an individual's identity and verify permission.

Nambiar said the software part of the turnkey execution would include several core modules including the tracking module, which, he added, will ensure a high level of security throughout the personalisation process.

"This module would track production in its entirety, providing valuable output reports for the Government's information and analysis", said SRIT, part of the Sobha Group with annualised revenues in excess of $210 million.