India bans Chinese toys for 6 months

India bans Chinese toys for 6 months India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Friday ordered a six-month ban on the import of Chinese toys in a bid to help local manufacturers.
   The government gave no official reason for the ban or its duration, though product safety concerns from Chinese-made toys are also suspected to be a driver for the decision.
   Toys imports from China rose considerably between April and November 2008, the Times of India reported, prompting the lobbies of domestic manufacturers to press the government for protection from the cheaper Chinese-made goods. Roughly half the toys bought in India are imported from China.
   The ban covers most products, including wheeled toys, dolls, stuffed toys, toy guns, wooden and metal toys, musical instruments, electric trains and puzzles.
   “We welcome the decision,” said Raj Kumar, president of the Toys Manufacturers Association of India. “It is good for the industry.”