APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) serves as a pre-cleared multiple-entry visa for business people in participating APEC economies. The card allows its holders to use specially-designated “fast track” immigration lanes at major international gateways.

In order to make the card more effective and user-friendly, APEC is now conducting the ABTC Client Satisfaction and New Applicant Surveys. The objective is to find ways to simplify procedures for renewing an ABTC. Valuable feedback on the ABTC scheme from existing card holders and new applicants will be taken into consideration in further improving the ABTC thus making business travel more convenient.

The surveys will also examine business travel patterns of both ABTC holders and non-ABTC holders to compare the differences in monetary and time costs incurred, thereby measuring the benefits of the scheme. Responses are filed anonymously and the survey results will be used to further develop client service standards and to identify new ways to improve the scheme. The goal is to manage the growth of the scheme, while maintaining the benefits it provides to travellers.

Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia is encouraging Malaysian business people – with or without the card – who travel frequently within the APEC region to participate in this survey. The survey can be accessed via http://www.apec. org/en/Groups/Committee-on-Trade-and-Investment/ Business-Mobility-Group.
 
Note: This article has been adapted from the MITI Weekly Bulletin Vol.149, 5 July 2011