Govt assures support to toy sector to compete with China

Amid "dumping" of consumer products by China, MSME Minister Virbhadra Singh today assured all support to the Rs 6,000 crore Indian toy industry to compete with the neighbouring nation.

"The ministry is ready to render any support to the industry by providing easy credit, marketing assistance like bar coding and ISO certification," Singh said after inaugurating the Toy Biz International exhibition here.

"China has its presence not only in toys but also in other sectors, as they have mass production. They dump their products all over the world. I am sure that our products will compete with China," he added.

The Minister said the industry has immense potential as the country has 24 million people below the age group of 10, who are "the potential buyers of games and toys".

He said only 20% of the market is served by Indian manufactures and rest by import of toys from different countries, including China.

Besides being a means of entertainment and recreation, he said toys depict the culture, history and ethos of their respective nations.

"Toys and games have been a part of Indian legacy and culture. The Indian civilisation has given several practical games to the world two of them  -- Chess and Ludo -- are most commonly played," he said, brimming with pride about the Indian origin of these games.

"These games are associated with Indian mythologies as well. Earlier they were called Parcheesi and Shatranj," he added.

There are almost 80 participants from India, Germany, China and Spain in the fair.