<p>In a fight to ensure that children don't lose access to toys, Indian toy traders, retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers have joined hands to create the All India Toys Federation (AITF). Their mission - to raise their voice against the hike of import duty on toys to India.</p>.<p>"The import duty on foreign toys is a direct attack on the development of Indian children, denying them the right to play, learn and grow. Our current manufacturing capabilities can only support 15% of demand for toys - the remaining 85% comes through imports. The hike in import duties on toys in this year's budget can make them unaffordable for our customers", said Farooq Shabdi, President of United Toys Association (UTA).</p>.<p>The UTA and other 24 toy associations from all over India have so far joined the ranks of the All India Toys Federation (AITF). "We aim to raise a voice against the levy of import duty, BIS order by the government and the betterment of our industry as a whole," said Abdullah Sharif, Vice President of AITF. More toy associations are joining this umbrella for a common cause -- to ensure that children don't lose access to toys.</p>.<p>The Mumbai-based federation represents participants at different levels within the Indian toy industry. Apart from raising a voice against the current import duty levies, it will be a platform where all of these toy makers and sellers can meet, discuss and debate on issues that impact them and raise their grievances and concerns on a macro level.</p>.<p>AITF will have trade representatives at different hubs on an all-India scale. The federation will make representations to the government and other regulatory authorities as and when required.</p>.<p>The AITF represents the Indian toy industry, which projects to grow $3.3 billion by 2024, driven by a huge consumer base. With changing times, parents and children have moved towards innovative electronic toys, intelligent toys, plush toys and role-play oriented sets. Educational toys, ride-on, construction and building sets, dolls and board games also find equal favour.</p>.<p>It is, however, going through a challenging phase - the global slowdown, stagnant domestic demand and tariffs have seen traders, retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers incur massive losses and their very livelihoods.</p>
<p>In a fight to ensure that children don't lose access to toys, Indian toy traders, retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers have joined hands to create the All India Toys Federation (AITF). Their mission - to raise their voice against the hike of import duty on toys to India.</p>.<p>"The import duty on foreign toys is a direct attack on the development of Indian children, denying them the right to play, learn and grow. Our current manufacturing capabilities can only support 15% of demand for toys - the remaining 85% comes through imports. The hike in import duties on toys in this year's budget can make them unaffordable for our customers", said Farooq Shabdi, President of United Toys Association (UTA).</p>.<p>The UTA and other 24 toy associations from all over India have so far joined the ranks of the All India Toys Federation (AITF). "We aim to raise a voice against the levy of import duty, BIS order by the government and the betterment of our industry as a whole," said Abdullah Sharif, Vice President of AITF. More toy associations are joining this umbrella for a common cause -- to ensure that children don't lose access to toys.</p>.<p>The Mumbai-based federation represents participants at different levels within the Indian toy industry. Apart from raising a voice against the current import duty levies, it will be a platform where all of these toy makers and sellers can meet, discuss and debate on issues that impact them and raise their grievances and concerns on a macro level.</p>.<p>AITF will have trade representatives at different hubs on an all-India scale. The federation will make representations to the government and other regulatory authorities as and when required.</p>.<p>The AITF represents the Indian toy industry, which projects to grow $3.3 billion by 2024, driven by a huge consumer base. With changing times, parents and children have moved towards innovative electronic toys, intelligent toys, plush toys and role-play oriented sets. Educational toys, ride-on, construction and building sets, dolls and board games also find equal favour.</p>.<p>It is, however, going through a challenging phase - the global slowdown, stagnant domestic demand and tariffs have seen traders, retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers incur massive losses and their very livelihoods.</p>
