Joint Media release
Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, and the Minister for Immigration
and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Philip Ruddock
Friday 25 October 2002
APEC Card Fast Tracks Business Travel to Japan
Japan's decision to join the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business
Travel Card Scheme will make it easier for Australian business people
travelling to and from Japan, Trade Minister Mark Vaile and Immigration
Minister Philip Ruddock said today.
Japan made the announcement at the APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting
in Los Cabos, Mexico.
The APEC Business Travel Card provides approved business people from
participating member economies with streamlined travel within the
Asia-Pacific region. The credit-card size travel card contains personal
identity details and is valid for up to three years for multiple,
short-term business visits between participating member economies.
"As a founding member of APEC, Japan's decision to join the Travel
Card scheme is a major boost to the scheme," Mr Ruddock said.
"The Travel Card scheme is an Australian initiative which provides
approved business people from 14 participating economies with streamlined
travel within the APEC region. Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong
Kong (China), Peru, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand,
the Philippines, Thailand and Chinese Taipei are already participating
in the scheme. More than 4000 travel cards have been issued since
the scheme began in 1999."
"Japan is Australia's largest and most important trading
partner. Japan's decision to join the APEC Business Travel Card scheme
will streamline business travel and boost Australian involvement in
these markets and open the way for higher levels of cross-border trade
and investment in the region," Mr Vaile said.
The APEC Card allows streamlined travel to, entry, and
departure from participating economies through a system of pre-clearances,
reducing the need to apply for multiple visas. Japan will begin issuing
cards from 1 April 2003.
"Before each cardholder is issued a card, their entry
is cleared by the participating APEC members, and they are fast-tracked
through special APEC lanes at international airports on arrival,"
Mr Ruddock 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 at DIMIA on phone (02) 6264
3338; facsimile (02) 6264 2632 or e-mail: apec@immi.gov.au. Further information and
an application form can be downloaded from http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/apec/index.htm.
Media Contact: Trade Minister - Mark Croxford +61 02 6277 7420 |
Immigration Minister - Steve Ingram +61 02 6277 7860
Local Date:
Friday, 05-Dec-2008 14:05:12 EST
