AGREEMENT TO ENSURE A SAFER AND SECURE BORDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

07/11/2019

Fiji’s border management system has been further strengthened with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Immigration Department under the Office of the Prime Minister and the Fiji Police Force.

The MOA signing allows for the integration of the INTERPOL Information System to the Integrated Border Management System of the Immigration Department. 
 
Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister, Sugar Industry and Immigration and also acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr. Yogesh Karan signed the MOA with the Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. Rusiate Tudravu yesterday.
 
Mr Karan said the agreement will assist the Fijian government monitor and control criminal activities such as acts of terrorism and fraud to name just a few.
 
Under this new agreement, the Immigration Department will have direct access to the INTERPOL database, criminal information system and automated fingerprint identification system.
 
“The benefit of this integration is the real time search and sharing of information on criminal activities, for example stolen and lost passports and documents, among other important information,” Mr Karan said.
 
“When a passenger enters our borders, his or her details are searched in the INTERPOL Information System that is in the 18 databases. We will know who is wanted by INTERPOL through the records shared by the 194 member countries.”
 
Mr Karan added that the Immigration Department will work hand in hand with the Fiji Police Force and other relevant agencies to closely monitor our borders.
 
Mr. Karan said; “We are all connected to those 194 countries and we look forward to working together for the purpose of creating a safer and secure Fiji”.