A study commissioned by the International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) has shown that the world toy market is constantly growing. By 2010 the worldwide toy sales are expected to grow to SR317 billion ($86.4 billion), an increase of 14 percent since 2008. “In 2008, the world toy market was valued at SR278 billion ($75.7 billion), a growth of 5.3 percent from SR265 billion ($72.0 billion) in 2007,” said Elisabeth Brehl, managing director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organizers of the Middle East Toy Fair. “This constant growth is reflected in the Middle East Toy Fair, the region's largest trade exhibition for toys, stationery, child and baby related products.” The study showed that 60 percent of children's population (in the age group 0-14) were living in Asia in 2007, followed by Africa at 21 percent, Europe at 6 per cent, and the rest shared by North America and Latin/South America at 4 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Another interesting insight gleaned from recent reports is the fact that in 2008, 57 percent of kids aged 2-12 used video game systems (+1 percent) and 62 percent of kids used computers (+2 percent). Despite these gains, just as many kids are playing with toys (84 percent) and watching TV (94 percent) as they were in 2006. This finding augurs well for traditional toy manufacturers that traditional toys still have an attraction for the new generation of children born in the information age. The Middle East Toy Fair will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 23-25. Leading international toy manufacturers from all over the world will display their latest products at the Middle East Toy Fair. The Toy Industry Association Inc (TIA) from the US, will once again showcase the TIA members in Dubai. It will also be the first time in the Middle East that Spielwarenmesse eG, the largest toy exhibition in the world, will be hosting “The World of Toys by Spielwarenmesse eG” at the exhibition. The Middle East Toy Fair covers a wide range of products. __
