Toys made in Bangladesh, played overseas
Bangladesh’s industrial sector has earned yet another feather in its cap. Little children in France, Spain, Japan and other countries of the world are now playing with toys made in Bangladesh.
Manufacturing and exporting toys shows great potential in Bangladesh. Toy exports have increased 2075 times in the last five years. The biggest markets of toys manufactured in Bangladesh are France, Spain and Japan.
The most common toys exported to these countries are tricycles, electric or battery-operated cars, dolls, electric dolls, pedal cars and such.
With the rising demand of Bangladeshi toys, entrepreneurs are now veering towards this industry. New factories are being set up in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and other export oriented locations.
Prothom Alo correspondents visited such a factory in Comilla. Located beside the Comilla Export Processing Zone, the Hashy Tiger toy factory was constructed in 2014 on 1.5 bighas of land. It exported only $42,000 in toys that year. Exports rose to $900,000 in the first seven months this year. The factory employs around 350 workers, 200 of whom are women. The company also employs six Chinese trainers to train the workers. Hashy Toy’s main market is Japan.
According to Bangladesh Export Processing Zone
(BEPZA), there are two toys manufacturing companies in the EPZ’s of Bangladesh. One of them is Hashy Tiger Company Ltd. and the other is Sonic Ltd in Nilphamari’s Uttara Export Processing Zone.
Besides, there are some other factories like Anwara Golden Sun that exports toys to Australia. A Chinese toy factory has also been constructed in Gazipur’s Bay Economic Zone.
In the 2012-2013 fiscal year, Bangladesh toy exports brought in only $7637. In 2016-2017, this rose to $15.8 million which is double of the last fiscal year.
Besides Japan, Spain and France, Bangladesh exports toys to the United States, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Taiwan, Brazil, and so on. The toy industry can create great employment opportunities in Bangladesh. Cheap labour and low production costs are the main attractions for foreign buyers. This is a promising sector that can have a positive impact on the economy.
*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Farjana Liakat.