A workshop on Fiji’s National ID Programme, a central component of the Government’s digital economy ambitions, got underway in Suva last week.
The collaboration by the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF), the Fiji Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will see the identification system set up for use by both government and the private sector.
Emphasising the Government’s commitment to the project, permanent secretary for Trade Shaheen Ali said the initiative aimed to establish a robust eKYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) process, crucial for empowering citizens and enhancing financial inclusion.
“Our goal is to create a secure and scalable national database that supports accurate and inclusive identification processes,” he said.
ADB’s regional director for the Pacific Subregional Office, Aaron Batten noted the alignment of the National Digital ID and e-KYC with ADB’s Fiji country partnership strategy 2024-2028, contributing to meeting the objectives of offering sustainable and efficient public services and building a resilient, inclusive, and efficient financial system.
RBF governor Ariff Ali underscored the importance of a National Digital ID system in an increasingly interconnected world, highlighting that a National ID can be likened to a key that can open doors or provide a seamless pathway to Government services.
“It serves as a cornerstone for citizenship, enabling Fijians to access essential services such as healthcare, education and banking in an efficient manner.
“We believe that a robust National Digital ID system will empower citizens by improving access to basic services and fostering economic growth,” Mr Ali said.
The project is expected to take at least 36 months to complete and a steering committee co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica with Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad and Governor Ali has been set up to spearhead its work.
