Press Release

Michel Danet, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization to Speak at ACI’s Global Customs Compliance Conference.

New York - July 3, 2005

In the week after the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) new security rules were formally adopted, The American Conference Institute (ACI) announces that Michel Danet, Secretary General of the WCO will participate as a featured speaker at the forthcoming 2nd Advanced Forum on Global Customs Compliance taking place September 21 - 23, 2005 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Mr. Danet will provide an update on WCO’s new framework for cargo security and customs procedures. He will be joined by Michael T. Schmitz, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Regulations and Rulings for Customs and Border Protection who will comment on how to prepare for these uniform global security standards.

The rules, named the Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, are widely seen as a revolutionary step towards the modernization of global customs system by aiming to secure the international trade supply chain in response to growing threats including international terrorists and organized criminal syndicates. They also allow the business community to obtain trade facilitation benefits in exchange for their commitment to its principles.

Other conference sessions will include:

• An update on key customs developments in China and what they mean for U.S. companies getting goods in and out of the PRC
• Integrating import and export compliance for efficient global government compliance
• Key customs developments in Latin America, Europe and SE Asia
• Preparing for a foreign customs audit
• Implementing a global country of origin and content management solution to maximize FTA savings
• Addressing customs issues directly with foreign governments

More information on the conference can be found at www.americanconference.com/global.

The American Conference Institute is a leading provider of business information to the Legal, Financial and Pharmaceutical Industries. For more information please email Edward Santelices e.santelices@americanconference.com or call 212 352 3220

A limited number of press passes are available for this event.