UP to play important role in toys production – 92 Toy Makers apply to set up units

07 September 2020: Uttar Pradesh state government has received as many as 92 proposals from Indian toy manufacturers to set up production units. It may be noted that the UP government has proposed to set up a toy manufacturing hub near Jewar airport in Greater Noida. According to Arun Vir Singh, CEO of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) once the entire 100 acre land is allotted, the government is expecting investment up to Rs.3,000 crore. In the first phase and allotment will be finished within 15 days. There are 155 plots of different sizes.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is likely to hold discussions with large manufacturers as it seeks investment in the country’s $1.75 billion toy industry.

This move is expected to reduce the dependence of Indian toy market on China. Reportedly, the current imports from China and Taiwan account for around 90% of the domestic toys. In this regard, Indian toy associations have been urging the government for land to set up local manufacturing facilities.

According to the YEIDA official, the UP government is also preparing a plan to promote toys manufactured by domestic players and may organise toy fairs. Reportedly, India will enforce QC for imported toys with immediate effect to ensure that only products conforming to standards enter the country.

The domestic manufacturers have said that following the increase in import duty on toys from China in December 2019, they were eyeing a bigger share of the Rs.20,000 crore market. “We hope the government will offer some benefit in the form of GST,” said Ajay Aggarwal, president, Toy Association of India.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has also announced a Rs.5,000-crore toy cluster in Koppal. The state government has identified 100 acre land and manufacturers can apply for different plot sizes ranging from 1,000 square metre to 10,000 square metres. The project, upon completion, is expected to create 25,000 jobs.