Bangladesh’s plastic toy sector holds the potential to generate up to $1 billion in export earnings in the coming years, provided it receives adequate policy support, said Shamim Ahmed, President of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

Speaking at a pre-event press conference ahead of the upcoming ‘Toy Expo’ in Dhaka on May 20, Shamim highlighted the sector’s robust growth, currently at 15 per cent annually, and projected to surpass 20 per cent by 2030.

He said that current investments of Tk 4,500 crore are expected to double by the end of the decade, potentially creating 30,000 jobs.

However, Shamim raised serious concerns over India’s recent decision to halt exports through key land ports, warning that it could severely affect Bangladesh’s broader plastic export industry.

Plastic product exports to India are valued at $4.40 crore, making it the most impacted category under the new restrictions.

Shamim particularly pointed to the Seven Sisters region in northeast India, where plastic items — including toys — are in high demand for daily use.

He said rerouting goods via Chittagong port to Kolkata and then overland to Tripura would be commercially unfeasible for most exporters.

According to BPGMEA president, the two-day ‘Toy Expo’ will be held at InterContinental Dhaka on May 22 and 23.

The event is being jointly organised by BPGMEA and the Export Competitiveness for Jobs Project.

He said that the sector currently earns $36 million in export revenue, with toy exports growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24 per cent.

Based on this trajectory, he estimated that toy exports could reach approximately $466.31 million by 2030, potentially making Bangladesh the 28th largest toy-exporting country by that year.

He added that with continued growth and policy support, Bangladesh could earn up to $1 billion from plastic toy exports in the coming years.

On the domestic front, the local toy market is estimated to be worth around Tk 7,000 crore.

In the plastic toy sector, 147 Bangladeshi manufacturers have invested about Tk 4,500 crore in their factories, which are primarily located in Keraniganj, Kamrangirchar, Old Dhaka, Gazipur, and various export processing zones (EPZs) and economic zones.

Shamim said that local manufacturers currently meet about 80 per cent of domestic demand, with the remaining 20 per cent fulfilled through imports.

The industry employs around 20,000 people and is capable of producing 1,000 different types of plastic toys, with prices ranging from Tk 20 to Tk 5,000.

Calling for enhanced policy support, Shamim Ahmed urged the government to help establish modern and compliant toy factories and to reduce import duties on raw materials essential for the industry.

He also emphasised the need for technological upgrades, in line with competitors such as China, Vietnam and Taiwan.

According to BPGMEA, 45 companies will participate in the expo, exhibiting their products across 36 stalls, including two pavilions.

Also present at the press conference were BPGMEA Senior Vice-President KM Iqbal Hossain, Vice-President Quazi Anwarul Haque, and other industry leaders.