EASTERN CAPE – Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) has taken a major step in strengthening international trade relations and opening global market opportunities for local businesses through the official launch of the SBDM Experiential Hub at the Shanghai Central Business District in China on 5 November.
The launch was officiated by the Executive Mayor of Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Deon de Vos, alongside the South African Consul General in Shanghai, Phuti Tsipa, and Haitao Wang, Chairman of Orient International Group Shanghai Foreign Trade.
The event was attended by over 40 South African and Chinese officials, as well as business representatives, marking a significant milestone in bilateral economic collaboration.
The Experiential Hub represents the first phase of a pilot initiative designed to harness SBDM’s collective partnerships and resources to create a comprehensive platform that enables local businesses to explore export opportunities to China with low cost and low risk.
The model follows a shared-resource approach aimed at complementing South Africa’s broader export support programmes, which traditionally focused on domestic initiatives and short-term showcasing abroad.
Through this Hub, SBDM-based businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), will be able to test and showcase their products and services, engage directly with Chinese investors and potential partners, and access retail, wholesale and online sales channels.
The Hub will also provide practical export-support services, making participation in the Chinese market feasible and sustainable for smaller producers.
“The establishment of this Experiential Hub is a bold and practical step toward transforming the global competitiveness of our local economy. It allows our entrepreneurs to gain real exposure in one of the world’s largest markets while sharing the risks and costs through a collaborative model,” said De Vos.
The launch formed part of the SBDM delegation’s official visit to China from 2 to 9 November for the China International Import Expo, which included 17 local businesses from across the district, a significant increase from just four participants in the previous year.
Most of these businesses self-funded their participation, with one company receiving support from the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA).
The participation of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality and other South African exhibitors through the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the South African Pavilion once again affirmed that China remains committed to sharing its development opportunities with the global community and fostering stability amid growing global uncertainties.
This partnership underscores SBDM’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for trade and investment, while empowering local businesses to access international markets and contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic growth.
READ MORE: JBay artist’s products feature at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai
