Hong Kong's toy exports grew 25 percent to 88.8 billion HK dollars (about 11.4 billion US dollars) in the first 11 months of 2007, said the Hong Kong Trade Development Council on Monday at a toys and games fair.

 

"In the first 11 months of 2007, toy exports grew 25 percent to 88.8 billion HK dollars. Toy exports to the U.S. and the European Union recorded 4.7 percent and 24.2 percent rises. Christmas sales of traditional toys were steady in major markets," the council's Toys Advisory Committee Chairman Jeffrey Lam said at the 34th Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair.

 

Lam said Hong Kong, the world's second-largest toy exporter, has built up a solid reputation for quality manufacturing over the years.

 

The fair, Asia's largest toy show, opened on Monday featuring more than 2,000 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions, with a broad array of quality and innovative products, ranging from ball games, bicycles, gymnasium equipment, to action figures, miniatures and collectibles, electronic and battery-operated toys.

 

Nearly 30,000 buyers visited the fair organized by the council last year. This year, the council organized 86 buying missions, with more than 4,800 major buyers from around the globe taking part in the fair.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2008)