Bahrain: PontaSud – Chiquera Swanepoel
Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), visited Helsinki International Airport to review Finland’s experience in implementing smart border control systems.
The visit included meetings with officials from the Finnish Border Control Administration and Helsinki Airport Company (Finavia). The NPRA delegation was briefed on the integrated digital system used at the airport, which enables secure and seamless border crossings using advanced technologies.
The delegation also visited the Document Fraud Detection Centre, where they reviewed the latest technologies for verifying passports and identity cards, including automated systems and forgery detection tools. Training methods used to enhance personnel capabilities in document authentication were also presented.
Technical presentations were delivered on Helsinki Airport’s digital infrastructure, identity verification systems, and electronic interconnectivity between relevant agencies, aimed at streamlining procedures and enhancing border security.
Shaikh Hisham commended Finland’s advanced systems, noting Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to develop its passport and border control systems in line with international best practices to facilitate travel for citizens, residents, and visitors.
The visit is part of Bahrain’s commitment to adopting the Digital Travel Credential (DTC) initiative, in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, and supports the broader national digital transformation strategy through the development of interconnected government services.
