#DBF21 GIVES EMERGING BUSINESSES A MAJOR BOOST
WITH small businesses smiling at their boost in sales, and a number of international trade deals signed and sealed, this year’s Durban Business Fair (DBF) was a huge success. Celebrating its 21st anniversary with the theme “Journey to Innovation”, #DBF21 wrapped up on Sunday, September 29 with a final day of trade at the exhibition and a last blast of food and entertainment at the DBF Street Market.
Set up in Walnut Road, the DBF Street Market’s 14 food vendors made more than R350 000 in sales over three days as people came in their numbers to indulge in local cuisine.
In addition to the DBF delivering a boost to the coffers of the participating small business exhibitors, the skills transfer and knowledge sharing during the seminars, indabas and masterclasses created a stimulating environment for future business leaders to be inspired. And with more than 20 000 young people and emerging entrepreneurs empowered through the various business engagement platforms, the DBF sealed its reputation as not only the longest running SMME business fair, but also the largest.
In his closing remarks, the City’s Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee, Councillor Sipho Kaunda said: “This business fair was a huge success, based on the number of people who have come down and supported local businesses.
“It was a success because participating businesses are content with the many deals that were sealed, both locally and internationally. Our masterclasses were full, the fashion shows were well supported and gave good exposure to local designers and their collections, and the street market was packed – so as the City, we are very, very pleased.”
In a coup for local manufacturers, a business delegation from Réunion Islands sealed a deal for locally manufactured cupboards to be exported to the island nation. Durban, in turn, will import spices. Leader of the Réunion Island delegation and President of the Club Economique de Trois Bassins, Jean Michel Fain, expressed his special thanks to eThekwini Municipality for creating the opportunity for the delegates to exhibit and take part in the DBF.
An ecstatic Sika Khumalo of Fezah Wines, located in Magabheni, said she felt this year’s DBF had been planned exceptionally well to ensure the best outcomes for entrepreneurs like her.
Khumalo was randomly selected among the attendees at the Women Economic Empowerment Engagement seminar to market her business for 90 seconds - and the crowd was left stunned.
Following her pitch of her business, which produces white and red wine, she was in demand for a number of television and radio interviews. This was followed by “countless” orders from restaurants, chefs and bars as well as an invitation to a business expo that markets liquor establishments and attracts about 150 000 people.
Contacted for comment after the DBF had wrapped up, Khumalo said orders were still coming in. “This platform is the best for the exposure and growth of emerging businesses, even for those located in the rural outskirts of the city.”