Toy makers demand speedy approval for exclusive zones in Delhi, Mumbai,

Toy makers want the Government to set up exclusive zones in Mumbai and Delhi, as recommended by the National Productivity Council in 2009.

Calling for fast-tracking the Council’s recommendations, the toy makers said the Government had acquired five acres in Greater Noida for setting up a research and development centre, which was yet to take off.

The domestic players also want clarity in the local tax structure. “We need clarity on the taxation structure and categorisation of toys. The current tax levels vary from 0-15 per cent,” said Mr Ram Kumar, President, Toy Association of India .

He was speaking at the 6th Toy Biz International — a business to business exhibition, which is on till July 2. “We are expecting 5,000 buyers and 10,000 visitors. There are 85 stalls comprising five foreign exhibitors,” he said. The exhibition generated Rs 1,500 crore in business last year.

Huge market

The Indian toy market is worth Rs 10,000 crore, with the domestic industry contributing Rs 2,500 crore. “70 per cent is imported, mostly from China,” Mr Kumar said. The National Capital Region accounts for 70 per cent of toy manufacturing, followed by Mumbai, which manufactures roughly 25 per cent.

The global toy market is estimated at $85 billion, the Indian pie being 1.5 per cent. The Indian toy market is growing at 15 per cent year-on-year. “The sector employs around 30 lakh workers, 70 per cent of which are women. There are 1,500 toy manufacturing units in the organised sector, besides innumerable unorganised units,” Mr Kumar added.