Land incentives can be growth propellant for toy sector, says TN industry body

Chennai, Oct 10 (KNN) The Toy industry in Tamil Nadu alone is valued at Rs 600 crore and it can further grow if the government provides land at subsidised rates for both manufacturing and warehousing, said Santosh Kumar, President of Tamil Nadu Toy Dealers Association.

Kumar noted that state’s toy industry has the potential to generate nearly 30,000 jobs if it receives the required support, which would provide a thrust to the sector.

“With a minimal number of toy manufacturers in the state, Chennai and Tuticorin can be ideal destinations for the industry with port connectivity,” he said.

Speaking about the industry at the national level, Kumar said that Chennai is somehow a very strong market with its logistics support. But, sadly we do not have the support which every other government provides.

Centre’s efforts to assist the industry through 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' campaign, has helped reduce the import of toys which earlier stood at 90 per cent of products. It has now come down to 5 per cent.

Expressing his views, Toy Association of India President, Ajay Agarwal said the government policy on increasing customs duty on imported toys and making BIS certification mandatory for toys has given a boost to the domestic toy manufacturing sector.

According to Agarwal, over five lakh artisans were involved in making toys and nearly 75 per cent of the toy-manufacturing facilities comprise of micro, small and medium enterprises.  

Maharashtra is a major toy market followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and New Delhi.  (KNN Bureau)