The World Bank approved a concessional credit worth US$195 million for Bangladesh for the Identification System for Enhanced Access to Services (IDEA) Project to assist the country in developing a reliable and accurate national identification (ID) system. The system is expected to enable efficient and transparent delivery of benefits and services to the people, particularly the poor. The credit is from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm. The credit carries a 0.75 per cent service charge, a maturity of 40 years, including 10-years grace period.
Establishing a full-fledged and reliable national Identification system would significantly improve the delivery of public and private services. The system will be built upon the existing voter-list database by the Bangladesh Election Commission, said a release of World Bank.
Identification numbers and cards will be issued to about 90 million Bangladeshi citizens of age 18 and above within next five years.  Modern technology will be used to produce robust national ID cards to protect the citizens from fraud and forgery.
“A comprehensive national identification system will transform the way in which public services, including social benefits, are delivered to recipients” said Ellen Goldstein, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh. “’It will also assist in better planning, minimizing corruption and increasing transparency in service delivery.”

News: The Independent/ Bangladesh/ May-12-2011