GET Group delivered the ePassport solution upgrade in cooperation with its local partner and prime contractor TAR-GET along with numerous Malaysian technology vendors which include IRIS, PKN and Heitech Padu.

The fully integrated ePassport issuing solution utilizes proprietary personalization software, Toppan E2000 ePassport printers and high security laminate films provided exclusively by GET Group. New ICAO compliant chips and inlays were provided by IRIS, PKN supplied newly designed passport booklets while Heitech Padu contributed both front and back end issuing software applications.

The newly introduced features of the Malaysian ePassport offer some of the highest level security currently available. This security is not only achieved through electronic encoding and encryption of the passport holder's data, photo and thumbprint on the passport's smart chip, but is enhanced by a completely redesigned data page protected by the latest Toppan EDE Crystagram security laminate film. This laminate film incorporates a number of newly developed, highly sophisticated optical security elements.

Bahjat Nasser, Technology Director for GET Group, stated: "It is an honor for GET Group's technology to have been chosen for this project by the government of Malaysia, the first country to ever introduce an ePassport. It not only reaffirms the trust which issuing authorities across the globe put into GET Group but it confirms GET Group's leading role in the security document industry. Moreover, implementing a solution requiring components from different vendors proves GET Group's adaptability and unique positioning as the preferred worldwide passport and ID personalization partner."

GET Group's passport and ID systems are used in more than 20 countries around the world and its Passport and ID Division is headquartered outside Boston, Massachusetts, USA. For more information, please contact GET Group at +1-781-890-6700 or visit www.getgroup.com

The passport issuing solution utilizes proprietary issuing software and Toppan E2000 digital passport printers and security films provided exclusively by GET Group. The solution addresses the entire passport issuance process from enrollment to passport delivery and has been deployed at three Department of Immigration sites: in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.

Gary Christelis, President and CEO of GET Group's Passport and ID Division, said: "We are proud to have launched this project within our original aggressive time-frame and to be a part of the Malawi Department of Immigration's diligent efforts to introduce new security and efficiencies to the entire passport issuing process. It has also been great working again with our esteemed business partners at Techno Brain Ltd., with whom we have built a strong and successful relationship in East Africa. This project is an exciting extension of our partnership, and the customer benefits tremendously from the experience we have working together over so many years."

Alex Kambanis, Director of Operations and Project Management, added that: "The Malawian passport, with its entire new conceptual security design, incorporates more than 20 different security features. The data page is protected with our new, proprietary EDE Crystagram security film, which carries some of the most sophisticated security elements available in the industry, some of which are being introduced for the first time to passports through this project, making the Malawian passport one of the most secure we have ever delivered. The six month implementation period, from contract signing to going live, is a new record for such a comprehensive project, and we are very proud of our team's remarkable achievement."

GET Group's passport and ID systems are used in more than 20 countries around the world and its Passport and ID Division is headquartered outside Boston, Massachusetts, USA. For more information, please contact GET Group at +1-781-890-6700 or visit www.getgroup.com

"We have worked very hard with TDT and L1 to ensure the continued success of the US passport printer project. Beyond being great news for our mutual businesses, this decision shows continued confidence in the Toppan printing technology, and the extraordinary value this solution provides for US passport security." said Mr. Gary Christelis, President & CEO of GET Group's Passport and ID Division. "As most of the printers being used by the State Department were delivered by TDT at the inception of the program over ten years ago, the decision is testimony to the quality and durability of the Toppan products." he added. "We extend our appreciation to our friends at TDT and L1 with whom we have established a strong partnership in the US federal market" he added.

The USA has been using Toppan MP300 passport printers provided by TDT/L1 under agreement with GET Group for over 10 years now and has alone issued well over 100 million Toppan digital passports. The USA is by far the largest issuer of Toppan digital passports in the world.

"The decision of the US Department of State enables us to push harder into new countries and pursue new opportunities with renewed energy, diligence, integrity and confidence." said Mr. Rida Baalbaki, International Sales and Business Development Director. "This great news comes just as we kick off our sales and marketing program for our newest passport printer, the eP600, which we just launched in October at the ICAO 2009 Symposium in Montreal" he added.

GET Group's Passport and ID Division is based outside of Boston, MA and is a global provider of Passport and ID solutions, including Toppan passport printers, with passport and ID projects in more than 20 countries. Its Toppan passport printing solutions are currently being used by over 12 countries to personalize highly secure passports, including by the United States, Canada, South Korea, Malaysia, Oman and Mauritius. To find out more GET Group printers and solutions, please contact GET Group's Passport and ID Division at +1-781-890-6700.

The GET Group Toppan eP600 passport printer is the latest addition to the family of cutting edge thermal transfer digital passport printers exclusively available from GET Group, which are currently being used by more than a dozen countries to personalize high security passports, for both large and small volumes.

"Our development team did an extraordinary job ensuring our new printer draws on all of the advantages of the legendary Toppan passport printing technology which has been so tremendously successful -- while introducing a host of new functionalities and features that are sure to meet, if not exceed, the needs of ePassport issuing authorities, whether for centralized or decentralized personalization." said Mr. Gary Christelis, President & CEO of GET Group's Passport and ID Division. "Most important, we are thrilled with the outstanding interest our new printer generated at the ICAO show. The reaction from both existing and potential customers confirmed to us that this new printer yet again raises the bar for high security passport printers." He added "When our new product is ready for delivery in early 2010, it will be a great complement to our passport printer line-up, which has included the highly successful MP300 and E2000 series passport printers - many of which are still in use after more than ten years in the field." further elaborated Mr. Christelis.

The new printer features unique full color 600 dpi solid pigment ink printing, automatic book feeding, on-line chip verification and chip encoding, as well as integrated security film lamination, in a one-step process taking less than 40 seconds per passport. The desk-top sized printer is very operator friendly with interactive touch-screen LCD panel, easy-load consumables cartridges, and easy-access service drawers.

"This printer represents the best of what we have learned in our more than 20+ years of delivering high security passport and ID solutions and is a testimony to the outstanding relationship we have with our partner - Toppan Printing Co. Ltd. I am very proud of this product" said Mr. Isam Aziziyeh, R&D and Solution Marketing Director.

GET Group's Passport and ID Division is based outside of Boston, MA and is a global provider of Passport and ID solutions with projects in more than 20 countries. Its Toppan passport printing solutions are currently being used by over 12 countries to personalize highly secure passports including by the United States, Canada, South Korea, Malaysia, Oman and Mauritius. To find out more about the eP600 printer or GET Group solutions, please contact GET Group's Passport and ID Division at +1-781-890-6700.

GET Group will be delivering its solution in cooperation with its local partner, Techno Brain Ltd., a leading IT solutions and training company in Africa. GET Group and Techno Brain Ltd. have previously joined forces and successfully implemented a passport issuing system in Tanzania and explore other ID opportunities in the
African market.

Mr. Gary Christelis, President and CEO of GET Group's Passport and ID Division said: "We are very pleased by the Malawian Government's selection of our technology out of many international bidders. Employing both our trusted technologies and latest features, we are confident the Government of Malawi will be issuing one of the most secure, advanced and respected passports in Africa." He added "This project further enhances our leading position amongst the suppliers of total solutions to the identification systems market in Africa and we are very proud to be partnering with Techno Brain on this important project."

For more than two decades, GET Group has led the industry with cutting edge passport and ID systems utilizing the world's most advanced digital printers manufactured by Toppan Printing Co. Ltd. of Japan, exclusively provided by GET Group. GET Group's Passport and ID Division is headquartered outside Boston, Massachusetts, USA. For more information, please contact GET Group at +1-781-890-6700 or visit www.getgroup.com

"This is an exciting time for me to join GET Group, with many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean regions aggressively looking to replace their older passport and ID systems with newer more technology-driven solutions" says Mr. Tenaglia. "GET Group has proven itself a leader in many countries around the world, like the United States of America and Canada, for being able to deliver state-of-the-art solutions that are highly responsive to its customers' requirements and provide the highest levels of security. I am looking forward to working with the Passport and ID Division's Sales TeMr. Christelis commented, "We are considerably strengthened by Mr. Tenaglia's experience, knowledge and energy and are confident that he will be of great benefit to our Latin American ambitions." He added "This market is of strategic importance to GET Group, but has proven difficult for us to penetrate. Mr. Tenaglia's credentials and relationships will strengthen our presence and performance there, and better enable us to advocate the benefits of our solutions to the Latin American and Caribbean governments." am to bring that success into the Latin American and Caribbean counties as well."

GET Group's Passport and ID Division, headquartered outside Boston, MA USA, specializes in the development and delivery of passport, visa, immigration, border control and ID solutions to governments around the world. For more information, please contact GET Group at +1-781-890-6700.