During the ceremony Equipment Loan Agreements were signed by the Uzbek officials and OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, and 32 sets of desktop computers and diesel generators were handed over, to be used by the passport offices throughout the country, especially in remote areas. This equipment will raise the efficiency of the initial application and data entry procedures.

"The introduction of passports with new biometric features will contribute to further improvement of the entry and exit procedures, in accordance with international standards and principles aimed at ensuring fast and secure border crossing," said Ambassador Istvan Venczel, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan. “By providing the equipment we seek to contribute to the process of transition to the new passport system in Uzbekistan”.

The equipment was provided as part of a project launched following the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan “On Measures for Further Improvement of Passport System of the Republic of Uzbekistan” of 23 June 2009.