A recent Australian initiative – the APEC business travel card – could make business travel far easier for those within the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, by allowing cardholders to be fast-tracked through the airports of member countries.
The travel card, which costs $200 and was developed in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, offers cardholders a number of benefits, including a three-year re-entry permit for short-term business visitors in participating APEC countries, and the option to be processed through the airline-crew lane at most airports.
Developed over the past 10 years, the card recently received approval from the four countries that had previously withheld support.
Russia, Canada, Mexico and the US have agreed to participate in the scheme, although travellers to the US will only be eligible for fast-tracked entry, rather than a visa.
A DFAT spokesman said the program would appeal to regular travellers, allowing access to 21 visas and travel permits in one document.
“You only have to look at Australia’s massive investment in the Asia Pacific, where 70 per cent of exports go, to realise business travel is going to be increasing. Making it easier brings a tangible benefit,” he said.
“By easing business travel, essentially you are helping business people to encourage trade and investment.”
Already there are 8,000 active Australian cardholders, representing an increase of 81 per cent on membership last year, and a third of the total cards in use.
Of the 500 APEC card applications made in March this year, 9.5 per cent were from Western Australians, according to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, with a large proportion from the mining industry.
