PM Transcripts

9
135/
STATEMENT BY THE PREWE MINSTER, THE HON IP J KEATING9 NT
AFEC BIJSINSS TRAVEL CARD
Australia will introduce an APEC business travel card to facilitate entry into Australia by
accredited business people from APEC economies.
This follows the recommendations of the Pacific Business Forum for easier access for
business travellers.
Australia is developing the following arrangements to make short-term business travel
easier a system of accreditation for business travellers run in partnership between the
business conmmities and participating member economies
a business travel card rather than a visa as a means of identifying business travellers
and facilitating entry.
Over 200,000 business people visited Australia last year and this number is rising rapidly
each year. Australia is commnitted to streamlining and accelerating its visa and entry
arrangements and the application of advanced technology to this task.
Australia is proposing the establishment of a working group with all those APEC
economies interested in jointly developing such a system. Not every APEC memnber might
be able to join such an arrangement immediately, but all would be welcome when ready.
Australia also endorses the recommendations of the PBF on business temporary residence.
We are already simplifying our entry rules and streamlining processing for longer term
temporary residence, as recently recommended by the Roach Committee and accepted by
the Governent.
Greater ease of travel will help APEC meet its aims of stimulating trade and investment in
the region. Beyond the greater ease of travel for our business people an APEC business
travel card would be a symbol of APEC's potential to build bridges in our region.
OSAKA 19 NOVEMBER, 1995 44= 4MW