Swift Global Logistics, an affiliate of Dubai-based Swift Group, which has been a leader in global transport and logistics since its inception in 1989, recently secured a wholly owned foreign enterprise (WOFE) status for its office in China, strengthening its market position in the Far East.

The licence enables Swift Global Logistics to operate as a wholly owned entity in China, with the right to perform international freight forwarding, business of marine and air cargo, import and export, consignment for shipment, booking, warehousing and transfer, stuffing and de-stuffing of containers, collection of freight, customs clearance, application for entry quarantine and insurance, relevant inland transportation and consultation in transportation.
Providing a comprehensive range of freight logistics solutions, Swift Global Logistics offers personalised customer service and global connections through its network of 45 offices in 19 countries spanning Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and the Indian Subcontinent.
“Swift takes pride in acquiring the WOFE licence for our office in China as only a few international freight logistics providers are apt enough to obtain such a privilege. This is just one more testimony for Swift towards its mission of providing innovative logistics solutions to its clients,” said Issa Baluch, CEO and chairman, Swift Group.
According to Baluch, who also served as president of FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations), China is a very important market for Swift as it serves as one of the key origin points for its thriving product, SAM or Sea Air Model. SAM is a unique product – the first multimodal transport solution that transships cargo from the Far East into Africa via Dubai with fixed schedules, estimated transit times, resulting in better planning and faster and predictive business cycles at reasonable cost.
SAM origin points in China include Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzen, and Yiwu; with destination points in Africa, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.
“We value China’s major role in the global freight logistics scene and we can only support the country’s position in the regulation of international trade with our WOFE licence, which strengthens Swift Group’s credibility as a global freight logistics provider and a serious player in the logistics industry worldwide,” concluded Baluch.
Swift has been one of the first companies to reserve space in Dubai Logistics City (totaling 28,800 sq m) for a purpose built logistics center. Swift will also have an additional 25,000 sq m airside facility at the new World Central Airport to provide smooth air connectivity for shipments.