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A meeting organised by Targi Kielce and the Regional Trade Office of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency in Kielce, within the scope of the Kids' Time children's industry trade fair, outlined the directions and conditions for operating in this sector abroad. Polish manufacturers and suppliers interested in expanding their businesses received comprehensive knowledge and guidance on the markets of Serbia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and India.

The key point of the agenda was an expert panel on potential export markets for Polish toy and children’s product producers. The meeting was held in a hybrid format and brought together representatives of PAIH's foreign trade offices and experts from the Export Support Department. Olga Niebylska moderated the discussion from PAIH, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency. 

Maciej Kowalonek, Head of the PAIH Foreign Trade Office in Serbia, Dominik Masełbas, Business Development Manager, PAIH Foreign Trade Office in Saudi Arabia, Jacek Michalski, Key Expert, PAIH Export Support Department (Uzbekistan), Joanna Snopek-Berbercioglu, Head of the PAIH Foreign Trade Office in Turkey and Małgorzata Tańska, Key Expert, PAIH Export Support Department (India) presented the strategy for entering these markets.  

Experts discussed the specifics of particular markets, entry barriers, certification requirementss and markets with high purchasing power, such as Saudi Arabia.  The differences between these countries are huge. In India, parents carefully consider costs; in Saudi Arabia, they can afford more, but in both markets, social media plays an important role. Parents are becoming more aware and attaching increasing importance to quality, educational value and technological advancement. 

 Institutional support in the internationalisation process

 Ewa Kapel-Śniowska, expert from the PAIH Regional Trade Office in Kielce, presented the support tools offered by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency. She discussed the scope of assistance in market analysis, organising trade missions, establishing trade contacts, and verifying foreign business partners. - For many companies, especially in the SME sector, professional institutional support is an important element that reduces risk and facilitates the commencement of exports, she noted. 

Financing development and securing exports
 The second part of the conference was devoted to sources of financing for development and export. Piotr Brewczak from KUKE, Miłosz Gibas from Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, Tomasz Król from the Industrial Development Agency, Ilona Rudka from the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, and the experts presented available support instruments – from export credit insurance, through foreign trade financing, to subsidy programs and EU funds supporting the development of enterprises.  They pointed out that appropriate transaction security and access to capital constitute the foundation of safe foreign expansion.

Individual consultations for companies
An integral part of the event was individual consultations with experts from PAIH, BGK, ARP, KUKE and PARP.  Entrepreneurs had the opportunity to discuss their export plans, refine their entry strategies for selected markets, and obtain information on available financial support options. 

The industry is in a phase of dynamic change
During the conference, it was repeatedly emphasised that the toy and children's products industry is undergoing intense transformation.  Requirements for product quality and safety are growing, while online sales are developing and demand for educational and ecological products is growing.

/MŚ/