Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Guangdong Toy Association (GDTA) have signed a Letter of Intent to join forces in organising the Guangzhou International Toy and Hobby Fair and the Guangzhou International Stroller and Baby Product Fair starting from 2015.
Founded in 1988, the GDTA acts as an industry voice to communicate with the Chinese government and coordinate with the government for industry research and survey projects, providing a foundation for the government’s industrial policy and trade development decisions. In addition, the GDTA takes an active role in advocating and supporting self-owned brand building, and promoting innovation and technical development to support China’s toy industry, especially in Guangdong. Furthermore, the GDTA also organises the Guangzhou International Toy and Hobby Fair, China’s leading toy trade fair, as well as publishing a monthly publication called “Toy Industry” and running an industry portal www.ctoy.com.cn.
Messe Frankfurt is one of the world’s leading trade show organisers responsible for world famous consumer trade shows such as Ambiente, Christmasworld, Paperworld and Tendence. Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd has more than 25 years exhibition and collaboration experience with different industry associations and government bodies in Greater China.
Commenting on the partnership opportunity, Mr Stephan Buurma, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding Ltd and a Member of the Extended Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt GmbH said: “Messe Frankfurt is committed to providing diversified quality trade fairs in different markets and have already achieved huge success and recognition with over 30 trade shows in Greater China, including some of the largest regional fairs in the textile, autoparts, lighting, music and entertainment, and security sectors. We have been actively looking for various new opportunities to expand our portfolio in different industries in China, such as the toy market, where Guangdong is the world’s largest production base. In order to further grow our competitive edge in this market, it is important for us to form a strong alliance with an influential organisation in China’s toy industry.
Mr Li Zhuo Ming, Executive Vice-Chairman from the Guangdong Toy Association said: “Messe Frankfurt has an extensive global network and is a highly-regarded exhibition organisation. I have no doubt that our core competences will benefit both organisations and help us to build a stronger international profile for the Guangzhou International Toy and Hobby Fair. More importantly, I hope the trade fair will help to foster an even more flourishing toy industry. I am pleased that the Letter of Intent was signed and it is a good start for both of us. I look forward to working closely with Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd to map out the direction of our potential partnership.”
China is the world’s largest toy manufacturer and exporter as well as the world’s third largest consumer market. It is estimated that about 70 to 80 percent of toys worldwide are made in China. As a result, there are over 10,000 toy companies and three million employees in China, generating RMB 180 billion annually. The main toy production and export bases are Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Shandong, Zhejiang and Fujian. Guangdong is the market leader due to its production activities around Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Shantou’s Chenghai and Foshan.
According to a report compiled by Euromonitor in 2012, the total retail sales of toys and games in China have soared in value from USD 3.89 billion in 2007 to USD 8.3 billion in 2011, registering an average annual growth rate of 21 percent. In addition, a 2012 Hong Kong Trade Development Council report revealed that in China the annual per capita average spending on toys is only between RMB 20 (USD 2.4) and RMB 30 (USD 3.6), compared to an average USD 13 in Asia and an average USD 34 worldwide, implying a huge potential for expansion in the Chinese toy market.
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Angel Ho
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