The capital city of the Kurdistan Region, Erbil, officially launched the issuance of electronic passports on Sunday as part of the country's overall implementation of the new system.

The new passport is equipped with a smart chip (SIM card) that securely stores key information of the passport holder, significantly reducing the risk of forgery. The cost of the new passport is approximately 91,000 IQD (around $70) and can be paid via a bank card. To renew or obtain a passport, Iraqi citizens only need to present their personal ID and residence card.

The electronic passport system was inaugurated in Baghdad in March, and Erbil is the second city in the Kurdistan Region to implement the new system. Sulaimani province is scheduled to inaugurate the system on Tuesday.

The Kurdistan Region has been at the forefront of digitalization efforts, having previously digitized various public services such as driving licenses, visa issuance, and business registration systems. These initiatives align with the region's goal of becoming a paperless government by 2025. (ILKHA)