The toymakers of Old Dhaka a small community of entrepreneurs making toys using mostly indigenous technology are facing a tough fight against various odds, including lack of government support and the “aggression” of imported playthings.
There are about 800 toy factories sprawled over different areas of Old Dhaka, including Keraniganj, Chowk Bazar and Lalbagh which employ more than 8,000 people.
The number of factories closed has increased in recent times, apparently because of “unavailability” of toy making instruments.
Abdur Rasid Bhuiyan, president of Toy Makers Co-operative Society President, said, “Chinese products usually dominate the toy market but those manufactured locally have good potential too. We can turn the situation in our favour, at least to some extent, if the government extends its support.”
“The reason we are failing to compete and even to survive sometimes is because we don’t have the support of advanced technology. Often, we have to depend solely on indigenous technology to manufacture our toys, dolls, puppets, figurines and such.”
The industry also lacks skilled dice designers, said Tajul Islam, a factory owner. “We need educated people to join the industry. The problem is, we have to depend on foreign countries even for things that toys are made of, like electronic devices, cotton, etc.”
He further said, “If we get proper support, we can change the situation and export toy products to other countries too, after meeting our own market’s demands.”
Kajhaw Akramullah, president of Bangladesh Plastic Product Exporters Association (toy sector), explained how the government can help boost the struggling industry.
“To enhance the industry performance, the government can consider a 15% VAT exemption on locally manufactured toys which would be a great help. We’ve applied to the government to reduce the VAT, but they have yet to make a decision.”
“The government can also take steps to create a ground on which local entrepreneurs can compete evenly with global toy-making giants, especially Chinese companies,” he added.
