UK companies have reported success at the world's biggest trade platform for toys, thanks in part to government support.

This February, 127 British firms exhibited at the International Toy fair in Nuremberg. UKTI, the government agency promoting trade and investment, gave financial support to 77 of them. Moreover, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce organised a British pavilion that hosted a mix of old hands and new faces. Among them was Mr Waymann, chief executive of Q-Bike, children’s vehicle manufacturer, exhibiting for the first time.

He said, "Being on the stand allowed us to get to the right people at the right time and in terms of just creating contacts it was a success, but now after the fair we’re closing a deal on global distribution of the product”.

Exhibiting for the third time, The Green Board Games Company demonstrated the necessity of long-term planning to ensure success in the German market. "This has been a fantastic show for us,” Kelly Calver, Sales Director, revealed. “After three years, German distributors finally recognised our faces and approached the stand wanting to take on our board games. They needed to know we weren't fly-by-night exporters.”

Toy markets worldwide are developing slowly, yet consistently, and so will be marked by steady growth. Market researchers NPD Group Germany expect global turnover to grow by 4.8 per cent this year reaching $75.3bn.

UKTI continues to encourage more companies to explore export markets by providing a range of services to help them succeed overseas."