*****************************************************
Singapore has begun producing and processing the APEC Business Travel Card under the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme with effect from the start of this month.
An Immigration Department spokesman said that the scheme aimed to enhance the mobility of business travellers within the APEC economies, thus promoting business within the region. At present, 17 economies are participating in the scheme.
The spokesman said that with Singapore's implementation of the scheme, 15 of the participating economies are now producing APEC Business Travel Cards and processing pre-clearance applications referred from other participating economies. These are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the People's Republic of China, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
The remaining two, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam, are preparing to implement the production and processing of the card.
In Hong Kong, applications are open to local permanent residents holding Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards and valid national passports. Applicants must be bona fide businesspeople, free of criminal records, and must not have been refused entry to any of the participating economies. Applicants should also have a need to travel frequently on short-term business visits to the APEC economies.
The plastic card is the size of a credit card. It is normally valid for three years. The card is good for multiple visits of two to three months to participating economies without the need for a visa.
Card-holders will also enjoy streamlined immigration clearance at the control points of the participating economies.
Ends/Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:30
NNNN
