Fast-tracked business travel will be available between 11 APEC member economies with the decision by Chinese Taipei to join the APEC Business Travel Card scheme.

Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Philip Ruddock said today that the APEC Business Travel Card is an Australian initiative which provides approved business people from participating member economies with streamlined travel within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation region. The APEC Card, which is credit-card size and contains personal identity details, is valid for up to three years for short-term business visits between participating member economies.

"Australia, Chile, Hong Kong (China), South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei and Peru are already participating in the scheme.

"The decision by Chinese Taipei to join is a significant boost for the APEC Card and for business people generally," Mr Ruddock said.

The APEC Business Travel Card also enhances border integrity in participating economies as each applicant is checked against 'watch lists' of the other participating economies.

"Before each cardholder is issued a card, their entry is cleared by the participating APEC members, and then on arrival they are fast-tracked through special APEC lanes at international airports," Mr Ruddock said.

Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile said that the APEC Business Travel Card was an innovative scheme which facilitated rapid travel and allowed Asia-Pacific entrepreneurs to respond quickly to business opportunities.

"Streamlining business travel and removing the need for multiple visas will reduce the cost of doing business and help the region maintain its international competitiveness," Mr Vaile said.

"More than 4,000 business people have now been issued with an APEC card. This represents a step forward for regional trade and will enable Australian businesses to maximise the opportunities," Mr Vaile said.

Business people from participating APEC member economies who wish to apply for an APEC Business Travel Card should contact their immigration authorities for details.

Australian business people who wish to apply for an APEC Business Travel Card should contact the APEC Unit, Business Employment Section, DIMA, on telephone (02) 6264 2783; facsimile (02) 6264 2019 or e-mail: apec@immi.gov.au.  Further information and an application form can be downloaded from: http://www.immi.gov.au/business/apec.htm.

Media Inquiries:
Steve Ingram (Minister Ruddock)        0419 278 715
James Baker (Minister Vaile)                 0418 273 475