Bangladesh's textile and apparel industry must move beyond its traditional reliance on low-cost labour, energy and mass production to strengthen global competitiveness through innovation, higher-value products and improved manufacturing efficiency, industry leaders said at a press briefing in Dhaka yesterday (12 October).
The Textile Innovation Expo 2026 will be held from 12 to 14 November at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka, bringing together manufacturers, technology providers, brands, buyers, researchers and industry professionals to showcase innovation-driven products, processes and solutions.
The organisers disclosed the details in a press release issued yesterday.
They expect around 5,000 visitors, including representatives of 100 brands and buyers, and more than 200 international delegates from over 30 countries. Around 50 textile, apparel and accessories factories and 200 technology and solution providers are expected to participate.
The event is organised by Textile Innovation Exchange (TIE), co-organised by Textile Innovation Center (TIC), in collaboration with the Institution of Textile Engineers and Technologists (ITET), in association with BKMEA and BGBA, and implemented by Textile Today Innovation Hub (TTIH).
The expo aims to position Bangladesh as an innovation-driven manufacturing destination and encourage the industry to move into medium- and high-value markets.
Data from Eurostat cited at the briefing showed that the average price per kilogram of Bangladeshi apparel in the European Union fell by 8.47% between January and July 2026, while Vietnam's rose by 11.76%.
The contrasting trends underscore the need for Bangladesh to improve product value and productivity as production costs rise and buyers continue to exert pressure on prices.
Focus on innovation and sustainability
The exhibition will feature four themed zones covering dyeing and printing innovation, textile materials innovation, garment automation, and green and sustainable technologies.
Factory Innovation Pavilions will allow local manufacturers to showcase innovative products and best practices. Factory-based programmes will also focus on improving productivity, efficiency and sustainability.
The Open Innovation Area will provide a platform for researchers, universities, start-ups, innovators and factory engineers to present solutions to industry challenges.
The expo will also host six technical seminars covering sustainability management, new fibres, digital product passports, traceability, textile recycling, productivity and energy conservation.
A plenary seminar titled "Strategy for Systemic Innovation Implementation" will also be held as part of the event.
Textile Innovation Award
The Textile Innovation Award 2026 will recognise organisations and individuals for their contributions to factory-level innovation, technological advancement, product development and sustainable management in Bangladesh's textile and apparel industry.
The awards will cover eight categories: process innovation, manufacturing innovation, technology, product development, marketing and market development, environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and human resources and organisational development.
The final categories and winners will be announced after the evaluation and selection process is completed.
Textile Innovation Exchange was inaugurated by Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on 16 May 2026. Its implementation arm, TTIH, has conducted more than 270 innovation projects across over 80 factories over the past seven years.
Through the expo, the organisers aim to strengthen collaboration between industry and research institutions and help Bangladesh's textile and apparel sector improve its competitiveness through innovation.
Exhibitor and visitor registration is open through the official website of the Textile Innovation Expo.