India Emerges as Global Toy Export Hub
New Delhi: In a remarkable turnaround, India’s toy industry—once flooded with imports—is now exporting to 153 countries, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced at the 16th Toy Biz International B2B Expo 2025 in New Delhi on Friday.
Highlighting the country’s dramatic shift from an import-reliant market to a self-reliant manufacturing powerhouse, Goyal credited policy reforms, stringent quality standards, and the development of local manufacturing clusters for this transformation.
“The enforcement of the Quality Control Order (QCO) has made India a quality-conscious nation, empowering domestic manufacturers to meet and exceed global benchmarks,” he said.
India’s 1.4 billion-strong population, Goyal pointed out, offers a vast captive market, creating the scale needed for cost efficiency and global competitiveness. “This large base not only fuels domestic growth but also acts as a strong launchpad for international expansion,” he added.
To dominate the global toy market, Goyal urged the industry to focus on branding, packaging, and design—key elements, he said, that could significantly enhance the appeal of Indian toys worldwide.
The Minister linked the toy sector’s growth to India’s broader developmental strides under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign. “When PM Modi first pitched the idea, many were skeptical. But under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, we’ve seen a surge in support for homegrown products,” he noted.
Goyal also spotlighted government support for toy startups through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, now extended to 20 years, providing collateral-free loans to small businesses. Additionally, 18 toy clusters across India have been backed by the Ministry of MSME to boost domestic production.
Looking ahead, Goyal revealed plans for a new promotional scheme aimed at elevating Indian toy manufacturers to world-class standards—enhancing design innovation, manufacturing quality, packaging, and global branding.
“With our focus on innovation, quality, and strategic market development,” he concluded, “India’s toy industry is not just growing—it’s gearing up to become a global leader.”
