NEWS BUZZ

Spielwarenmesse has always believed in the value of play. It has been their firm belief that for a child a game is not just a source of entertainment but a very important tool for the development of various skills sets.

Toys accommodates a wide range of skill levels so it can be enjoyed by people with no formal training or practice, like bow and arrows used by kids of yesteryears not only was entertaining or were for the development of cognitive or motor skills but a fun way of developing the hunting skills, preparing them for wars or even defending themselves from unknown dangerous animals, without causing injury to each other.

Similarly toys like building blocks, puzzles, or even transformers that convert a robot into vehicle and various other animals are a way of preparing the kids for the future world. A study done by Mr. Joseph F. Coates; Impact Assessment of toys had clearly indicated skill sets developed by various toys.

Toys are not only the developers and educators but also the indicators of societies development and advancement over the years. From bow and arrows made of bush wood to today’s transformers, toys truly indicate the transformation the world has gone through the years. Toys are the prototypes of technology which today’s children would have to encounter going forward in their life. Hence it is great that the toy manufacturers and retailers took steps in 1949 to promote the toy industry with a trade fair and organized the first Spielwarenmesse in 1950, long before the world noticed the importance of toys in developing the adults of tomorrow. Likewise, Kids India was the early promoter of Indian toy industry recognizing the vital role Indian toy manufacturers are going to make in the toy world. Kids India was launched in 2013, where the world was sceptical about the event, but today Kids India has become an important exhibition for the Indian toy industry. They say that the proof is in the pudding, and

the success of the show can be judged from the fact that today the show is supported by strong partners like TAITMA, SGEPC, NSIC and more than 150 brands are present at the show.

With just 7 editions to boast Kids India has become the most coveted show for the Indian toy industry. After two years of hiatus due to covid, Kids India will take place from 15 - 17 September 2022 at the JIO World Convention Center in Mumbai. The show has received an overwhelming response with more than 150 exhibitors and 200 brands being present at the show.

It is the support of associations like TAITMA, who over the years has guided the organizers, shared their insights of the industry, gave input into the latest trends, and formulated strong conference program, that the show today has reached new heights. It is also imperative to acknowledge SGEPC, for their support in getting buyers for the show and organizing buyer delegation for Kids India 2022.

Once again toy retailers and buyers will be able to meet toy manufacturers and make successful business transaction, formulate joint ventures, deliberate on new ideas and new technologies. The most important fact that is worth mentioning is the support of Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) that have helped many MSME companies to participate in the show and take advantage of this unique platform “Kids India 2022”. Concurrent to the exhibition the show will have insightful conference sessions by eminent speakers, educational works and interactive panel discussions. Kids India 2022 will showcase the latest trends, technology, and new innovations. It will provide an excellent opportunity for the industry to bring forth the importance of toys once again in a child’s development. Urging our industry peers to take maximum benefit of this unique platform.

Sonia Prashar Deputy Director General Indo-German Chamber of Commerce

CFOSE INDIA rescheduled to 3-5 February,2023 at Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana

Planned to take place from 2-4 September 2022, the upcoming edition of CFOSE INDIA has been rescheduled to 3-5 February,2023 at Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana. The decision to reschedule the event has been driven by Industry Feedback, who consider Ludhiana as an effective epicentre where all the verticals of the Industry can converge to create a more holistic and comprehensive platform.

With more than 50,000 cycles manufactured every day, Ludhiana is considered the hub of bicycle manufacturing in India. According to statistics, Ludhiana produces over 1.5 crore bicycles per annum with the support of around 4,000 small and medium ancillary units. According to AICMA (All India Cycle Manufacturers Association), the Indian bicycle industry proposes to make 60 lakh premium and 30 lakh electric bicycles by 2030. Cycle companies are realising the potential of this emerging market. The bicycle industry in India is expected to re-invent itself by adopting global best practices considering the huge domestic demand and export opportunity.

India is the second-largest manufacturer of bicycles in the world and given the global boom in this Industry, manufacturers of bikes and related components are re-organizing supply chains to meet the rising demand and making them more affordable. At present there are 100+ international brands in India and the Industry has the potential to grow 3 times from 1.3 Billion USD to 3.5 Billion USD by 2030. The future of the electric bicycle (e-bike) market in India looks promising with opportunities in the areas of travelling, exercise/fitness, and recreational activities.

Speaking on the occasion Surinder Brar, Director, Annex Media Marketing Network said, “Today, International bicycle manufacturers have begun to see India as a rising star, a potential market and have started entering the arena through collaborations with their Indian counterparts. CFOSE 2022 will witness the presence of Manufacturers of advanced Cycles, E-Bikes, Fitness, Sports Equipment and Accessories, Fitness and cycling gear, sport leisure products amongst others”.

Sivakumar Venugopal, Group Director, NuernbergMesse India adds, “Major Indian Cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Delhi, Kolkata, Mysore and Mumbai continue to invest in PBS (Public Bike Sharing) pilots as Governmental programmes including promotion schemes and incentives, civil society support, and citizen awareness and demand for sustainable mobility are enabling the growth of the bicycle Industry in India. CFOSE in Ludhiana, 2023 will enable us to create a platform which is relevant, focused and will foster a community of organisations determined to put India on the global bicycle map ”. The upcoming edition of CFOSE is expected to attract more than 4000 buyers and will experience strong national and international participation. Organised in a B2B and B2C format, the expo facilitates buyer-seller meets and also helps build awareness and general knowledge about cycling and related equipment.

India toys expo and GI fair concluded with over 11,000 visitors

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he very first editions of India ’ s age-old iconic GI products, the India GI Fair and Khilona 2022-India Toys & Games Fair organized by the Export Promotion Council of Handicrafts (EPCH) held at India Expo Centre & Mart from 26th August to 28th August 2022.

The fairs were visited by various dignitaries like Chandan Ram Das, Minister of Social Welfare, Minority Welfare, Student Welfare, Road Transport, MSME, Khadi & Village Industries, Govt. of Uttarakhand; Dr Daya Shankar Mishra, Minister of State for Ayush (I.C) Govt of Uttar Pradesh and Former Member of Rajya Sabha and senior BJP leader, Vijay Goel, among others.

“Buyers in good numbers visited and showed keen interest in sourcing Toys & Games and India ’ s signature products. They expressed happiness on having visited the first edition of the India GI Fair with so much to see, learn, experience and source from. Among toys & games, Robotics, products from new start-ups, heritage toys and learning & therapy toys have attracted many,” informed Raj Kumar Malhotra, Chairman, EPCH.

This visit proved fruitful for Miles Shulmani from the USA who deals in toy imports & distribution and is looking at shifting his sourcing base to India. Roberto Remeris, home products retailer from Spain was excited to see variety at the India GI Fair and children’s room decor & accessories at Khilona. Ezette Fourie from South Africa who sources wooden toys that support educational learning for toddlers saw good opportunities through Khilona and STEM Confex.

“Toy crafts at India GI Fair looked attractive and artisans super skilled,” she said.

Khilona was visited by buyers from Germany, USA, South America, UK, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Oman, UAE and CIS nations, Turkey, Sri Lanka and Singapore. India GI Fair got buyers from the USA, Canada, Turkey, Middle East, Australia, UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Jordan, Singapore, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, South Africa, Nepal, Hong Kong, Japan, Costa Rica and Mauritius.

Rakesh Kumar, Director General, EPCH shared how toy manufacturers in India are keen on the sustainability quotient besides looking at being technically compatible. Many toy makers are coming up with ways to highlight the importance of responsible manufacturing through ethical practices, said Kumar.

He further added, “there are crafts persons, especially in our toy-making clusters, who abide by the trend of sustainability and building greener earth by using eco-friendly materials like bamboo, terracotta, river reed, jute, screw pine, waste paper, sugarcane fibres, etc. and colours derived from natural sources. This is a category where innovations are continuously emerging with EPCH’s hand holding and design intervention initiatives playing a decisive role.

Two concurrent shows i.e. The Maa – Shishu Expo presenting a variety of products, services, support, advice and tips for holistic parenting and STEM expo designed to spark the curiosity of its participants by providing a positive experiential opportunity for learning showcasing the emerging tech available in EdTech were concluded with overwhelming response.

ASSOCHAM signs cooperation pact with Bangladesh top trade body FBCCI

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he Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote business-to-business cooperation between India and Bangladesh. The signing of the agreement between the two trade bodies coincides with the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.

The MoU between ASSOCHAM and FBCCI was signed in the presence of Tipu Munshi, Commerce Minister of Bangladesh, at the India-Bangladesh Business Forum jointly organised by the two trade bodies. The respective apex chambers of the two countries have committed themselves to a regular exchange of information about the economic development of Bangladesh and India with a view to increasing bilateral trade and for the expansion of economic and industrial cooperation among their enterprises, according to a statement released by ASSOCHAM. At the institutional level, the ASSOCHAM and FBCCI have agreed to cooperate in exchanging information about the regulatory and taxation framework in their respective countries for ease of doing business.

Besides, the respective chambers would share knowledge and experiences in relation to supporting and facilitating the advancement of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs), startup ecosystem, innovation, industryacademia skill gap assessment, technical cooperation, conducting survey and research and development. They would assist and facilitate visits of trade and economic delegations to their respective countries, rendering maximum cooperation for establishing business contacts.

They would provide information and assistance to the enterprises, organizations and companies of the other country to participate in national exhibitions, international fairs, specialized exhibitions, economic and technical fairs, seminars, symposium, conferences and similar events. Both the parties to the MoU would assist in amicable and friendly settlement of economic disputes through conciliation, negotiation, and arbitration wherever necessary considering international standards and conventions.

With over 300 brands under one roof, Gifts World Expo returns to Bengaluru

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ndia ’ s premiere & most significant B2B Gifts sourcing platform, Gifts World Expo, Bengaluru, will be organized at Tripura Vasini, Palace grounds from 8-10 September 2022.

Organized by MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd., the revitalized trade show will showcase over 125 exhibitors from the entire industry representing over 300 brands showcasing more than 1000 products & trending gifting in highly diversified segments to address all gifts sourcing needs. Commenting on the upcoming edition of Gifts World Expo, Ms. Himani Gulati, Director, MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd., said, “I am glad to announce the 21st overall edition & a 2nd edition in Bengaluru which is bigger than before with more than 125 exhibitors. The need for unique & trending gifting products & solutions is constantly increasing and is setting new benchmarks.

Gifts World Expo showcases the latest innovations & also varied gifts in all budget ranges to meet the bulk sourcing requirements of buyers from all industries across the country. This edition is specifically targeted at the IT sector for their gift sourcing needs. ”

World of Concrete India 2022 to facilitate and bolster India’s Construction & Infrastructure Evolution to US$1.4 trillion by FY 2024-25

Informa Markets in India, India's leading B2B exhibitions organiser, announced the return of the World of Concrete (WOC) India, the leading show in the concrete, construction, and Infrastructure domain along with its new offerings for the industry at a press conference themed Connecting India by Concrete: A Journey towards Net Zero in Mumbai. In its 8th edition, the expo will be held from 13th to 15th October 2022 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon East, Mumbai.

The World of Concrete India exhibition and conference draws its legacy from World of Concrete Las Vegas, the largest and oldest Concrete show in the world dedicated to the Construction and Infrastructure Sector. The expo, in collaboration with the Builders Association of India, Water Proofing Association of India, Gujarat Contractors Association seeks to connect the dots between suppliers and buyers and will feature a comprehensive marketplace of materials, equipment, technologies, newest products and tools for the commercial construction, concrete and masonry industries. The event is estimated to attract more than 150+ Exhibitors and 7,000 + Trade visitors over the 3-days.

On the need for a common platform for the Concrete, Construction and Infrastructure industries, Mr Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, said, “The pandemic has put a spotlight on infrastructure around the globe. Recognised as key drivers of India's economic growth and employment, we are glad to see some key initiatives by the Government of India such as the Gati Shakti Mission, the National Infrastructure Pipeline, the National Monetisation Plan, and Bharat Mala Project that will place our country amongst the top global three contributors and leapfrog the economy to a global level. We as facilitators are happy to announce that World of Concrete India 2022 will play a key role in bringing the construction and infrastructure industries together and aid the infrastructure industry growth which is slated to touch US$1.4 trillion by 2025.

Also, in the new normal, while the world is pushing harder to meet climate goals, the Indian cement and concrete sector has been at the forefront in responding to climate change. Many large concrete players have done huge emission reductions by using alternative materials and technologies thereby improving energy efficiency. The World of Concrete India will represent such innovations and trends too, pertaining to the green concrete concept.” World of Concrete India 2022 is dedicated to concrete & building materials, dry mortar and aggregates precast technologies & formwork, Waterproofing solutions and Construction Chemicals, Commercial & Industrial Flooring, Construction Equipment, AI & IT Solutions, Construction Safety Equipment & Scaffolding, 3D Printing Solutions and BIMs.

The three-day show will provide opportunities for architects and engineers, commercial & resident developers and contractors, distributors, government authorities and state corporations to interact and network with exhibitors from across the industry. Key highlights of the expo include First Ever Water Proofing Pavilion by Water Proofing Association Of India , Drycotec Pavilion & Conference, Technical Seminar by Builder Association Of India, Gujarat Contractors Association support as State Outreach Partner & Key associations like the Construction Equipment Rental Association, Indian Chapter of American Concrete Institute etc.

Alongside the expo, the industry will get an opportunity to upskill their knowledge with a conference spread over three days that will bring together thought leaders and experts to share their insights and knowledge and will attract decision-makers and influencers in the industry.

BLTM Delhi 2022 ushered in the rebound of the Business, Leisure & MICE travel market

BLTM, India's leading trade show on Business + Leisure Travel and MICE, concluded on a positive note, with a massive turnout of travel trade visitors from all over India. This, together with over 100+ exhibitors from 4 countries and 13+ Indian states and UTs, the 2-day show staged post-pandemic rebound of the business, leisure and MICE travel segment.

Catering to the huge post-pandemic opportunity that India presents, the show offered unprecedented access to the cream of buyers from the North Indian market, and the advantage of hosted buyers, specifically chosen from Business+Leisure and MICE travel segments. Trade visitors and hosted buyers thronged the show floor – which reflected the significance of BLTM in reviving the industry in this postpandemic period, when the Bleisure & MICE market is witnessing tremendous demand. The rush seen on the floor and the response from everyone present there was overwhelming to say the least. 250+ hosted buyers were present at the show, specifically chosen from Business+Leisure and MICE travel segments from all over India. More than 700 trade buyers visited the show.

The show presented an exquisite showcase of unique destinations like St. Petersburg, Singapore, Moscow, and of India Tourism and some of the leading Indian States, hotels, resorts, tour operators, DMCs, etc., in a 5-star setting, in the heart of Delhi at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, where participants had the opportunity to engage in fruitful meetings in an intimate setting. According to reports, the India Business Travel Market is

anticipated to reach a value of US$ 55.2 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.1% during 2022-2027, owing mostly to globalisation of business operations. Additionally, the increasing trend for bleisure travel, the development of meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) segment, rapid digitization, the rising partnership between businesses and airlines, continuous improvements in the airline, hospitality and tourism industries are also positively influencing the market across India. BLTM opens doors to India's 6.5 million outbound business and MICE tourists, as well as the fastest growing business travel market in the world. St. Petersburg, Russia was the Feature Destination of the show; while Singapore was the Feature Country.

Goa, Odisha and Gujarat displayed their best as Partner States, and Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh participated as Feature States. Private sector participants from all over India, from many states were also present at the show. The show was reserved for travel trade visitors for both days i.e. 10th & 11th September, from 10 am to 6 pm. The travel trade fraternity was present in large numbers at the inauguration, with new as well as existing travel trade players, and huge footfall from the travel industry is expected on the show dates.

PM Modi Inaugurates World Dairy Summit 2022 in Greater Noida

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Dairy Federation 's World Dairy Summit (IDF WDS) 2022 at the India Expo Center and Mart in Greater Noida, the Prime Minister ' s Office (PMO) said in a statement. Prime Minister Modi also visited the local exhibition. At the rally, the prime minister said the dairy sector ' s potential would not only boost the rural economy, but would also be an important source of livelihood for millions of people around the world.

World Dairy Summit 2022:

Ÿ The Indian dairy industry is unique in that it is based on a cooperative model that empowers small and marginalized dairy farmers, especially women. Ÿ The government has taken some steps to improve the dairy industry and as a result milk production has increased by more than 44% of his. in the last eight years. The success story of India

's dairy industry, which accounts for approximately 23% of the world' s milk, produces approximately 210 million tonnes annually and empowers over 8 million dairy farmers, will be showcased at IDF

WDS 2022. Ÿ The four-day IDF WDS 2022 will be held from September 12th to 16th. About 1,500 participants from 50 countries are expected to attend

IDF WDS 2022, according to the

PMO. Ÿ The last summit in India was in 1974.

World Dairy Summit 2022: International Dairy Agreement (IDA)

The International Dairy Agreement (IDA) changed the International Dairy Arrangement, which were set up in 1980. Its primary feature become to extend and liberalize global exchange in dairy products thru worldwide cooperation. The settlement terminated in 1997. An Arrangement regarding sure Dairy Products (Geneva, 12 January 1970), a treaty entered into through some of nations, become set up to start with to set a minimal charge of skimmed milk powder to $20 according to 100 kilograms.

The purpose become to extend the association to different dairy products. It additionally set up a control committee inside the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade framework to supervise the association.