The Agency for Identification Documents in Bosnia and Herzegovina has recorded a noticeable uprise in the number of applications for the issuance of new identity documents. The holiday season is a typical time when residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina will seek to renew or apply for identification, especially those who reside in the diaspora.
The agency said they are busy processing primarily new identity cards and passports to citizens, which by the end of 2024 will amount to 712,429 ID cards and 431,455 travel documents. The statistics, made available through the agency, give an indication of all the scenarios where citizens will seek to update their identity information held and used by the government, for example the first documents issued for citizens at 18 years old; the average number of applications for young citizens’ first ID cards.
When new ID documents are produced, the old physical cards will be disabled, totalling 622,129 documents over the course of 2024. As well ensuring data on citizens is up-to-date, and citizens possess a valid ID only, the agency updated on its vision to embrace modern day digital processes which will modernise the necessary procedures undertaken by the agency for citizen registration and issuance of IDs.
They are looking to implement “a number of important processes” aimed at “accelerating” procedures for “residents and the business community”, especially to interact seamlessly with public or private services. One of the adoptions is the possibility of activating digital identity.
Therefore, during a meeting held by the Director of IDDEEA BiH, Professor Dr. Almir Badnjević, with Andreas Tudyk, the Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund in Bosnia and Herzegovina, discussed the current activities and future challenges of IDDEEA BiH, with a special emphasis on digital transformation in the country. The IDDEEA plays a crucial role in advancing digitalisation now, and in the future, with a digital identity application already complete for citizens to have a digital signature.
From July 1, in-person registration centres in the Agency were opened where citizens can physically register with their biometrics to access all e-services offered by the Agency at no cost.
The agency is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring data records are retained safely with technical support for transparency and integrity in electoral processes in BiH. Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) that the IDDEEA adheres to relates to the application of digital identity and wallets in order to improve infrastructure and facilitate everyday transactions of citizens.
The agency’s efforts received great praise and support from the IMF Resident Representative in BiH, as Badnjević announces the next steps to implement a digital wallet for the citizens of BiH and enable high-quality interaction with all electronic and data services.
IDDEEA also remains committed to improving the efficiency of administrative processes for the benefit of all BiH residents.
