Bissau, Jan. 21, 2025 (Lusa) - As of Tuesday, Guinea-Bissau has a new border control system, with the adaptation and installation of the Portuguese PASSE computer system at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport, linked to the international database.
The new border control system is considered a step towards a new era in border control in the country by Portugal and the European Union, as well as the financiers and those responsible for implementing the equipment and training.
The system was implemented as part of the GESTDOC project - Modernisation and Strengthening of the Identification and Document Security Chain in Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau, financed by the European Union and managed and co-financed by Portugal, through Camões, the Institute for Cooperation and Language.
Portugal's ambassador to Guinea-Bissau, Miguel Silvestre, explained at the launch session at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau that this is "a computerised passenger control system that optimises entry and exit procedures by strengthening security and increasing the detection of cases of fraud".
This system can be used to check "all types of passports, identity cards, residence permits and visas, including reading the information stored on the chips in these documents," he said.
"In practical terms, the border control system launched today is the result of the adaptation to Guinea-Bissau of the PASSE system, an acronym that stands for Passagem Automática e Segura de Saídas e Entradas, whose source code was provided by Portugal"s internal security system," he added.
On the Portuguese side, the installation relied on technical support, initially from the now defunct Aliens and Borders Service (SEF) and then from the Internal Security System (SSI) and Portugal"s criminal investigation police agency, PJ, Guinea-Bissau's General Directorate for Migration and Borders received computer equipment to operate the system, including eleven optical document readers, a server, an intranet network and 16 computers.
The ambassador added that all 54 officials working at Bissau's international airport and the country's other borders received training.
Training in document analysis and fraud detection was also given to 65 officials.
Miguel Silvestre emphasised that the new means will allow "documentary and identity checks to be carried out quickly, simply and securely, promoting mobility and reducing document fraud".
The border control system now in operation will also increase the country's international credibility in terms of border control.
The European Union (EU) ambassador to Guinea-Bissau, Artis Bertulis, said, "this moment symbolises the beginning of a new era for border management" in Guinea-Bissau.
"The new system represents a significant technological advance that strengthens security and efficiency in passenger control, with an international database and modern tools for detecting irregularities. Travelling to Guinea-Bissau is now safer, more reliable and aligned with global border management standards," he said.
For the EU representative, "this project is about more than technology, it's about security, development and trust" because by strengthening borders, "a favourable environment for economic growth and sustainable development is being created, benefiting local and regional communities."
The Director General of Migration and Borders, Lino Leal da Silva, thanked the partners for their support and asked for their continued support so that the country can respond to global challenges.
HFI/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
