Gemalto Selected for Electronic Passport Roll Out in Cote d'Ivoire

Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast and Amsterdam, Netherlands

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, today announces it has been selected as sole supplier of the digital security technology to be used in electronic passports for Ivorian citizens. Under the 5-year contract, Gemalto will supply system integrator Zetes with its Sealys eTravel Inlays, the secure devices embedding its advanced secure electronic passport software technology. Over one million passports are currently in use in Cote d'Ivoire and the government intends to roll out the first electronic passports from June 2008 onwards, with a view to renewing all of them by end 2009. The Ivorian authorities plan to incorporate the electronic capability in all new travel documents.

This initiative illustrates the major effort the Ivorian government is putting forth to combat identity fraud and provide its citizens with increased security. The Gemalto technology includes Sealys eTravel, a highly secure operating system with advanced cryptographic features running on a large capacity contactless microprocessor. In addition to the identity information already displayed on the first page, this eTravel Operating System also features the passport holder's digitized photograph.

"This new success reinforces Gemalto's positioning in the identity market," comments Jacques Seneca, Executive Vice President of the Security Business Unit at Gemalto. "With strong references and its global footprint, Gemalto has the most complete product, solution and service offer."

Other African countries are expected to start nationwide rollout of biometric passports in the coming months. Gemalto's e-passport references includes in particular Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Sweden and USA.

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the leader in digital security with pro forma 2007 annual revenues of over EUR 1.6 billion, more than 85 offices in 40 countries and about 10,000 employees including 1,300 R&D engineers.

In a world where the digital revolution is increasingly transforming our lives, Gemalto's solutions are designed to make personal digital interactions more convenient, secure and enjoyable.

Gemalto provides end-to-end solutions for digital security, from the development of software applications, through the design and production of secure personal devices such as smart cards, SIMs, e-passports, and tokens to the deployment of managed services for its customers.

More than a billion people worldwide use the company's products and services for telecommunications, financial services, e-government, identity and access management, multimedia content, digital rights management, IT security, mass transit and many other applications.

As the use of Gemalto's software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the company is poised to thrive over the coming years.

Gemalto was formed in June 2006 by the combination of Axalto and Gemplus.

For more information please visit www.gemalto.com

Source: Business Wire (Business Wire India)

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