INDIA POISED TO EMERGE AS A LEADING
EXPORTER OF SPORTS GOODS AND TOYS
RUDY
GIVES AWAY SPORTS GOODS EXPORT AWARDS
India is poised to
emerge as a major exporter of sports goods and toys with the Indian
sports goods and toys industry recording a steady growth of 5.54%,
having successfully weathered the global economic slowdown and
the turbulence of international event post 9/11. The emerging
success of the Indian sports goods and toys industry can also
be gauged from the fact that developed countries like USA, UK,
Germany and Australia are today some of the largest buyers of
Indian sports goods and known brands like Adidas, Reebok, Kookabura,
Spalding, Rawlings, Nike etc., are our prized customers. This
was stated by Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Commerce
& Industry, on the occasion of Export Awards Ceremony of the
Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC) here last evening.
Shri D.K. Mittal, Chairman, SGEPC and members of the committee
of administration of the Council were present on the occasion
while the Minister gave away the Awards for 2001-02 to a large
number of exporters.
The Minister assured
the exporters that the government would give all support to promote
exports of sports goods and toys. The government had always tried
to complement the efforts of the industry through schemes like
the Market Access Initiative, Market Development Scheme, development
of Special Economic Zones and EOUs, EPCG/DEPB schemes etc., he
added
Urging the exporters
to tap the tremendous export potential of this sector, Shri Rudy
pointed out that Indian sports goods and toys had proud antecedents
going back to around more than 100 years and born out of India’s
age-old skills in the areas of metal processing, wood crafts etc.,
in spite of which "we have been overtaken by the Asian tigers
and China (in this sector) in the span of one generation alone".
The solution, Shri Rudy said, lies in innovation in pace with
changing trends in this highly trend-conscious global industry.
"Also notable is the change in the attitude towards sports itself.
Sports is no more an activity of indulgence and entertainment
for some, rather it transcends the whole life style of people
all over the globe. And with it has arisen requirement for myriad
equipment and accessories for a variety of sports needs. And in
India, inflatable balls alone accounts for 50% of total exports!
Our basket of goods continue to comprise few traditional items
whereas the world over the trends have shifted to new products,
new raw materials, new technologies and even to new sports. However,
today it is India’s moment of opportunity. The challenge is to
take stock of our competitive advantage and convert our vision
into reality", he said.
