If the state government gives the toy industry in Tamil Nadu the necessary support, it may easily create close to 30,000 employment, giving the sector a boost. According to Santosh Kumar, president of the Tamil Nadu Toy Dealers Association, Chennai and Tuticorin can be good locations for the industry given the lack of toy producers in the region and their port accessibility.
Further explaining, he stated that the Telangana government had allocated 1,000 acres of land for the business when the national level toy show was held in New Delhi.
According to him, Chennai is the capital for the toy market in southern region and with huge investors in this space.
Toy industry in Tamil Nadu has potential to grow
Kumar stated that the toy industry in Tamil Nadu alone is worth Rs 600 crore, and that it has the potential to grow further if the government provides land at reduced rates for both manufacturing and warehousing.
Kumar stated that with the launch of the Centre’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign, the import of toys, which previously stood at 90% of products, has dropped to 5%. Earlier 90 per cent were imported of which 75 per cent came from China.
Toy Association of India President Ajay Agarwal expressed similar sentiments, claiming that the government policy of increasing customs duty on imported toys and making BIS certification mandatory for toys has boosted the domestic toy manufacturing sector.
The Indian toy market is expanding at a rate of more than 12% per year. Three years ago, nearly 80% of toys were imported. However, the situation has changed as imports have dropped dramatically, according to Agarwal, who spoke at the city’s recent toy expo.
75% of toy-manufacturing facilities
According to Agarwal, over five lakh artisans were involved in making toys and nearly 75 per cent of the toy-manufacturing facilities comprise micro, small and medium enterprises.
Maharashtra is a major toy market followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, New Delhi, he noted.
“.. if the Tamil Nadu government offers support on the lines of Andhra Pradesh government, which allocated about 1,000 acres of land, I think in Tamil Nadu we can easily generate direct jobs to the tune of 20,000 to 30,000” he said.
Listing the products that can be produced in Tamil Nadu, he said soft toys, battery operated toys, baby products, and wooden educational items can be made here.
