The American Society of Transportation and Logistics (AST&L), an organization dedicated to promoting continuing education in transportation and logistics, announced earlier this month it will be opening up an office in China.

The new Beijing-based office will focus on expanding the AST&Ls education and training components to China-based companies and universities, as well as fostering cooperation initiatives between American and Chinese companies and universities. The office will be directed by Chung Tam, president of the Frontier Consulting Group. Tam will serve as the AST&Ls chief representative in China.

Along with opening the new office, AST&L also announced it has inked an agreement to provide training for the DTW Group, a China-based provider of international freight, distribution logistics, and warehouse logistics services in 520 cities. Under the terms of the agreement, AST&L will help DTW develop an in-house training center and help them recruit American trainers to deliver the training in China.

Tam said the new office will have myriad benefits for companies and universities looking to expand into China. For United States-based companies, Tam told Logistics Management that the office will continue to grow AST&L’s network with local Chinese logistics and transportation associations and enterprises, U.S. government agencies, and U.S. companies based in China to provide industry focused information.

“Our knowledge and network can help U.S. companies interested in entering the Chinese market, Chinese logistics companies looking to extend their network into the U.S., and U.S. logistics companies find a suitable local partner,” explained Tam.

As for the Chinese logistics industry, Tam noted that one of the biggest bottlenecks holding back the development of the industry is the shortage of trained logistics professionals. And while AST&L training and certification programs have been offered in China since 2003, he said that American programs designed for the U.S. logistics industry do not quite meet the needs of the Chinese market.

“Our office will work with our board of examiners, Chinese industry, academia, and state organizations to develop new programs specifically for China to help train the human resources needed to support the growth of the industry,” said Tam.

The AST&L also announced it will be collaborating with the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and the China Communication and Transportation Association (CCTA) to host the inaugural Sino-American Logistics Conference and Exhibition in Shanghai and Beijing from July 18-21, 2007. Tam said the goal of this event is to help U.S. and Chinese logistics executives and professionals meet face- to- face to discuss issues and gain mutual understanding resulting in a more efficient and transparent supply chain.