story 'toy 4'.

story 'toy 4'.

Prohibit the importation of Barbie dolls



Barbie's detractors always accused of embodying an ideal of Western beauty, urban and fashionable, which could be injurious to the girls. But what I never imagined that, in addition, could cut the country's trade balance. At least, that he understood the Argentine government, which banned the importation of Barbie, Ken and other characters familiar to children, all brought by the U.S. Mattel.

In his series of measures to guard the trade surplus (which was U.S. $ 513 million in January, a low number for the Government), AFIP Mattel suspended him his license to import products. In addition to the world's most famous doll, Mattel also brings other characters so requested by the kids (Barney, Backyardigans or Max Steel), the Hot Wheels toy cars and all the Fisher Price line. Mattel says the AFIP merchandise imports $ 7.5 billion annually, and committed various customs violations. Among its bells and whistles are coming strollers "Cars 2," Disney drawing scheduled for the winter holidays.

In his career to care dollars, the Government increased the number of licenses is not automatic, 400 to 584 products. In this way, and caught a lot of sectors: luxury cars, appliances, auto parts, cell phones and even food. Although the idea of ​​the ministry of industry is that imports are down to be replaced by domestic production, it is not always possible.

"A doll can be produced in Argentina, but there are different mechanisms that are imported, because there is no domestic production. To make the doll say 'mom', cry or say a word, we must rely on imported inputs, "explains Laura Weisvein, commercial director of Giro Educational and Toy Company. "There are certain eye colors in the dolls that are also imported. Or the sounds used on tricycles, "he adds.

In Mattel made no comment with respect to the restrictions set by the Government. In the toy industry said it is very difficult to determine the retail value of imports that Mattel blocked. The most careful estimates were between $ 30 million and $ 35 million (between $ 120 and $ 140 million) of which goes to the toy.

One and a half ago, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also attacked Barbie and Ken. He said he gave "disgusting." And he criticized the high level of U.S. imports of such dolls, because "a danger to the mind and have nothing to do with the Venezuelan culture."

The local case is less ideological and more commercial.

It is estimated that the toy market moves from U.S. $ 350 million and $ 500 million annually.

About 60% of what we shipped the toy is imported (largely from China).

"There may be special cases where imports have no local replacement, but the imposition of licenses in the sector is a positive thing," marked Daniel Dimar, Marketing Director Rasti. In his case, there was inflatable and electric tracks had asked for the holidays, along with children's day, concentrating nearly 80% of sales, but it arrived only in February, because they were stranded in Customs.

"Hopefully it promotes the integration of more domestic parts," explained Weisvein. The toys also have local manufacturing cell. "Non-automatic licenses also bring greater control to the quality of products", defended Dimar.

Source: http://www.clarin.com/politica/Prohiben-importacion-munecas-Barbie_0_438556342.html