Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs awards major identity infrastructure tender to the consortium of IDEMIA Smart Identity and A.C.I. Technology

IDEMIA Smart Identity, a division of IDEMIA Group, and A.C.I. Technology, part of the Corporacion America Group, have been awarded the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) tender for the development of the biometric passport and ID card issuance infrastructure and services of the Republic of Armenia.

Seen as one of the most critical and significant public infrastructure projects in Armenia, IDEMIA Smart Identity and A.C.I. Technology were chosen based on their proven capabilities to deliver such large-scale critical infrastructure projects in the shortest amount of time, as well as their technical world leadership in the field of biometric identity documents and wider identity solutions.

“Being awarded this mission-critical project to bring secure, biometric passports and ID cards to Armenian citizens is a great honor. We know, from worldwide experience, that our identity solutions change the lives of a country’s citizens. Trusted identity solutions not only enhance security, but also open the door to greater inclusion, mobility, and access to essential services.

Under the authority and guidance of the Armenian Government, our consortium is committed to delivering exceptional services to Armenian citizens via a truly unique identity, easily accessible, but highly secure. We take this responsibility very seriously and cannot wait to get started,” comments Antoine Grenier, CEO of IDEMIA Smart Identity.

“Together with IDEMIA Smart Identity, we combine global experience and expertise with detailed knowledge of the local culture, context, and needs. As we have done in other operations we are involved in, hiring, training, and upskilling staff locally is one of our key aims and critical for the success of this endeavor,” adds Marcelo Wende, representing A.C.I. Technology.

The consortium’s solution covers the entire identity journey of an Armenian citizen, from pre-enrollment, through enrollment, all the way to document delivery. The passports and ID cards will be locally personalized in a personalization center in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, and distributed via 23 modernized service centers across the country, creating more than 170 jobs. This decentralized approach, and the careful selection of the service centers’ locations, will allow maximum accessibility and convenience for Armenia’s citizens.

It is planned that, within a year of the contract being signed, production of biometric documents compliant with the highest European and international standards will begin, which would signify a major step forward in the context of Schengen Area visa liberalization.

About IDEMIA Group 

IDEMIA Group unlocks simpler and safer ways to pay, connect, access, identify, travel, and protect public places. With its longstanding expertise in biometrics and cryptography, IDEMIA develops technologies of excellence with an impactful, ethical, and socially responsible approach. Every day, IDEMIA secures billions of interactions in the physical and digital worlds. IDEMIA Group brings together three market-leading businesses that enable mission-critical solutions:

• IDEMIA Secure Transactions is the leading technology provider who unlocks safer and easier ways to pay and connect.
• IDEMIA Public Security is a leading global provider of biometric solutions that unlock convenient and secure travel, access, and protection.
• IDEMIA Smart Identity leverages the power of cryptographic and biometric technologies to unlock a single trusted identity for all.

With a global team of nearly 15,000 employees, IDEMIA Group is trusted by over 600 governmental organizations and more than 2,400 enterprises in over 180 countries.

For more information, visit www.idemia.com and follow @IDEMIAGroup on X.

About A.C.I. Technology

A.C.I. Technology is a subsidiary of Corporacion America Group, which operates in Armenia’s key sectors, such as airports, real estate, finance, and agribusiness. The Group employs more than 3,000 people in Armenia. The consortium will benefit from the Group’s significant local footprint and understanding of the Armenian market. Through its subsidiaries, A.C.I. Technology has extensive experience in the production of state-of-the-art smart cards and documents at its manufacturing facility in Latin America.