With Michael Schmitz: World Customs Organization.(QUESTIONS & ANSWERS)(Interview)

This week, the World Customs Organization's Private Sector Consultative Group will have its first meeting in Brussels. The WCO created the committee to channel industry opinions and advice on the WCO's Framework for Security and Trade Facilitation. Michael Schmitz, the WCO's director of compliance and facilitation, is well-known to the U.S. trade. Before assuming his post in January, Schmitz was assistant commissioner for regulations and rulings at the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.

Q. What are you doing to set up the Private Sector Consultative Group?

A. We've proposed an agenda, we're giving them a venue, we're providing certain services for them, …