APEC Business Travel Card Renewal

[serfty]

Of course, it's a three year membership, so it will be 2013 before numbers start to drop.

 

[bamboli]

Pleased I have an NZ passport. Very easy to renew from there - cheaper too!

 

[Slowlearner]

It seems that unless you are the MD of BHP you wont get your APEC Business Travel Card Renewed, and a lot of people have been expiring this year and have found out too late to go to the trade fairs this year. Reports say over 10,000 Australian importers no longer qualify. See this article on factorys.asia which says that the Canton Fair sales have been affected by APEC' slap in the face to Importer from Asia

 

[trippin_the_rift]

If the problem was numbers of Australians with cards, they could bump up the fee to $5k and that would eliminate many while representing solid value for cardholders. $300 is far too cheap in any case.

 

[Slowlearner]

It is not a funding problem its a perceived diplomatic problem. (see Danger's post below)

"

The purpose of the amendments was to counter any perception, among member economies of the APEC Business Mobility Group (BMG), that Australia was either using the scheme for its own self-interest or did not respect the approach taken more broadly by other APEC members, mindful that each ABTC application creates significant work for all participating economies. Australian cardholders, at the time, represented 30 per cent of all cardholders in the ABTC scheme.

"

So why cant the jerk who complained see why Australia would naturally take up the option at a much higher rate and more importantly why cant that jerk see why its a good thing for all other APEC participants if Australia has hugh number of importers flocking to their trade fairs and visiting their manufacturers with as much ease as possible to get them to visit as much as possible. Our Asian friends are not that stupid. Its just that one jerk public servant somewere out there that still gets his mother to iron his underpants.

AND why cant our stupid minister explain to that jerk the reasons and benefts and fix it for us instead of kicking small business in the head yet again with the total cowtow response we received.

 

[bamboli]

If the problem was numbers of Australians with cards, they could bump up the fee to $5k and that would eliminate many while representing solid value for cardholders. $300 is far too cheap in any case.

I agree - its a bargain - if you can get one!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It seems that unless you are the MD of BHP you wont get your APEC Business Travel Card Renewed,

That is so untrue - my Company's T/O is not at all significant - but I could demonstrate the requirement for virtually monthly visits to our suppliers to inspect product prior to shipping and I was re-approved without a problem.

In all fairness IMHO - they are seriously only about taking the non-deserving out of the APEC merry go round to ensure ongoing simplified access for those genuine business representatrives who do actually require regular access - ie the tourists are losing their APEC cards.

 

[globalexplorer]

That is so untrue - my Company's T/O is not at all significant - but I could demonstrate the requirement for virtually monthly visits to our suppliers to inspect product prior to shipping and I was re-approved without a problem.

In all fairness IMHO - they are seriously only about taking the non-deserving out of the APEC merry go round to ensure ongoing simplified access for those genuine business representatrives who do actually require regular access - ie the tourists are losing their APEC cards.

I agree 100%, my company is no BHP and my new card was reissued a couple of months ago with no problem whatsoever. Not sure if it made any difference but I actually provided evidence (along with my application) of the size of investments I help foreign companies make into Australia and perhaps that negated the fact that my company is not large.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Not sure if it made any difference but I actually provided evidence (along with my application)

As did I - I have not been told so but I do believe evidence or substantiation may well be required going forward.

 

[globalexplorer]

As did I - I have not been told so but I do believe evidence or substantiation may well be required going forward.

That would make sense to protect the integrity of the scheme, especially when for less than $1000 you can incorporate a company, make yourself the MD, create a website which may be entirely fictitious with respect to what you do and how big you are and get business cards printed.

 

[bamboli]

That would make sense to protect the integrity of the scheme, especially when for less than $1000 you can incorporate a company, make yourself the MD, create a website which may be entirely fictitious with respect to what you do and how big you are and get business cards printed.

Great, so what is our new company selling? First executive decision for the new MD!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Received this email from abtc overnight:

Dear Mr Elite

Thank you for your enquiry regarding an interim APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC).

An interim card has been requested for you today and should be received by you within the next 10 working days.

Please be advised the card is only valid for business travel in the economies listed on its reverse side.

For your information, although the USA, Canada and Russia will not appear on this card (as they are not full members of the scheme), these economies are now allowing all ABTC holders to use priority lanes at their international airports.

Normal immigration procedures will still apply for travel to the USA, Canada and Russia.

Kind regards

APEC Unit

Brisbane Temporary Visas and Client Services

---------------------------------------------------------------

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

GPO Box 9984

Brisbane, QLD. 4001

Interesting - never knew the Ruskies recognised APEC? As for USA - was treated like a leper trying to access a priority lane from Dom Rep into Miami in Sept - called supervisor - even he had no idea what APEC was.

 

[GoldenWinger]

There are new policies and a new form which came into effect 16NOV11 - it is totally insane. Bascially if you're not the CEO of something like BHP getting an APEC is not going to happen.

Luckily I submitted mine early Novemeber with the old "new" form which was already pretty strict. I read with these changes the aim is to get rid of at least 10 000 Australian APEC card holders out of the present approx 30 000.

Mine expires in March next year - I have had the card for around 6 years - normally I would get a renewal reminder letter but this year I didn't - so it's probably a sign I won't be considered.

Small biz groups are naturally not too impressed...

 

[dajop]

There are new policies and a new form which came into effect 16NOV11 - it is totally insane. Bascially if you're not the CEO of something like BHP getting an APEC is not going to happen.

:?::?:

The new process actually requires either being CEO, country, regional head etc or be nominated as engaging in business in APEC economies by said persons. There is also a process for certification of businesses (being introduced) in two phases to verify they are indeed involved in bona fide business/investment activities in APEC regions. It sounds like an improvement over the pre-Nov 16 policies for many.

 

[Danger]

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the process when a card is lost?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the process when a card is lost?

Call them and explain - they will require proper written explanation but it should not be a problem.

Just as an aside I received in mail this week a totally dodgy mixed up APEC card out of the blue. It had some other dudes pic - my surname - 3 Christian names all wrong - incorrect number - I mailed it back to them.

Later in day I received call from APEC explaining due to computer melt down I may receive faulty card - apparently a bunch went out.

 

[cssaus]

Anyone wanting an interim APEC card shouldn't be holding their breath. Got this email this morning:

"Unfortunately we have had ongoing technical difficulties with the APEC Business Travel Card printer.

However, your interim card has been issued and batched to a print queue, waiting to be printed. Please note, there is a backlog of at least 700+ cards waiting to be printed, and unfortunately the system software does not allow us to extract individual cards for printing.

Therefore, at this stage, we are unable to give you a delivery date, but please be assured your card will be despatched as soon as possible.

Our apologies for the inconvenience caused."

 

[tallboy]

:?::?:

The new process actually requires either being CEO, country, regional head etc or be nominated as engaging in business in APEC economies by said persons. There is also a process for certification of businesses (being introduced) in two phases to verify they are indeed involved in bona fide business/investment activities in APEC regions. It sounds like an improvement over the pre-Nov 16 policies for many.

Any recent experience of APEC BTC renewal for small business?

With thanks,

tb

 

[cosi]

Tb

Did you have any luck in renewing?

Tks

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Any recent experience of APEC BTC renewal for small business?

With thanks,

tb

tb if you are genuine there will not be a problem.

The $5mil threshold does not apply if you can mount a genuine requirement. If you can display travel pattern / requirement to travel / position within company etc it will not be a problem.

The clamp down on APEC is solely designed to weed out the 'tourists' - and so it should be the case - they have no intention to disadvantage genuine frequent business travellers.