The government of India on Friday (January 23) imposed ban on the import of Chinese toys. The recent move has been executed to protect the domestic manufacturers against cheap competition from the neighbouring country. According to media reports, the ban was imposed following government's concern over the safety standards of Chinese-made products. The ban on imports will remain valid for six months, notified the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

 

Although the Indian government gave no reason for the imposition of restriction, it believed that rise in import of toys might be one of the factors which led to the ban. India has already banned the import of milk and milk products following a milk scandal that led to the widespread poisoning of babies in China and other parts.

 

The toy industry in China came under the scanner after the news of using toxic lead paints in manufacturing the products spread. The Chinese toy export also suffered the burnt of global financial crisis in addition to the decline in demand of toys in key US and European markets.