Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate The India Toy Fair 2021 later this week.

The fair, which will be inaugurated via video conferencing, will bring together all stakeholders including buyers, sellers, students, teachers and designers. The aim is to create a virtual platform to create sustainable linkages and encourage dialogue for the overall development of the industry, an official statement said.

The toy industry in India, dominated by the micro small and medium enterprises, has faced severe competition from China. About 70 per cent of the market was dominated by Chinese toys until 2020.

The government, as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme, is keen to push domestic toy manufacturers.

While Chinese toys have been cheaper, they are marked by their substandard quality.

In his Mann ki Baat address in August 2020, the Prime Minister had said that toys not only augment activity, but also give flight to aspirations.

Through this platform, the government aims to thrash out ways to ensure that India turn into a global hub for toy manufacturing and sourcing by way of attracting investments in the sector and promoting exports.

Over 1,000 exhibitors from across the country are expected to display products. “It will showcase traditional Indian toys as well as modern toys including electronic toys, plush toys, puzzles and games,” the statement said.