The Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA), in collaboration with the Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) Project under the Ministry of Commerce, is set to organize a two-day exhibition titled “Showcasing and Sourcing Show on Plastic Toy Industries of Bangladesh (Toy Expo)”. The event will be held on May 22–23, 2025 at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel InterContinental, Dhaka, aiming to highlight the innovative strength and growing capabilities of Bangladesh’s plastic toy industry.
The opening ceremony of the Toy Expo will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM. The Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Mahbubur Rahman, will attend as the Chief Guest and formally inaugurate the expo. Special Guests will include Mr. Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary and Project Director of EC4J, and Mr. Shesh Md. Abdur Rahman, Joint Secretary and Deputy Project Director of EC4J. Ms. Hosna Ferdous Sumi, Senior Private Sector Specialist and Team Leader for EC4J from the World Bank, will join as Guest of Honor. Distinguished industrialists, policy experts, and stakeholders will participate in panel discussions and technical sessions throughout the expo.
Leading manufacturers from the toy sector will showcase their latest products and services across various exhibition pavilions. The event is expected to attract local and international buyers, investors, and decision-makers, creating a vibrant platform for networking and business growth.
The plastic toy sector in Bangladesh is expanding rapidly, with the domestic toy market currently valued at around BDT 7,000 crore (approx. USD 650 million), of which local manufacturers hold a significant BDT 4,000 crore share. Just a decade ago, 90% of toys were imported; today, 90% of toys are manufactured locally. The sector has already seen investments of BDT 4,500 crore, with projections to double in the next few years, creating employment for approximately 30,000 people, including 80% women. Toy exports, currently at USD 36 million, have the potential to exceed USD 1 billion in the next five years.
In light of these developments, BPGMEA has placed several proposals to the government to support the sector’s continued growth:
- Compliance & Modernization: Transform existing factories into fully compliant facilities aligned with international standards to enhance global competitiveness.
- Product Diversification: Promote high-quality, innovative toy production and explore new export markets with government support.
- Tariff Reduction: Lower import duties on raw materials to ensure a level playing field with global competitors and protect domestic manufacturers.
- Technology Upgradation: Bangladesh lags behind China, Taiwan, and Vietnam in toy-making technology. Strategic support is required to boost innovation and technical advancement.
- Dedicated Toy Industrial Park: Establish a specialized industrial zone for the toy sector to facilitate large-scale, high-quality production.
- Patent Registration: Since 1998, BPGMEA has worked with the Department of Patents, Designs & Trademarks to secure over 2,038 patents for innovative toy designs. The government has collected over BDT 22.7 million in revenue from these registrations.
- Policy Support: Given its labor-intensive nature, particularly for women, the toy industry has the potential to become a major export sector similar to garments. Government policy backing is essential for this transition.
The Toy Expo is not just a product showcase but a powerful platform for stakeholders to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and explore new business opportunities. With proper policy support and infrastructural development, Bangladesh’s toy industry is poised to play a vital role in the nation’s export diversification strategy and industrial advancement.
