Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry must move beyond its traditional reliance on low-cost labor, energy and mass production to strengthen global competitiveness through innovation, higher-value products and improved manufacturing efficiency, industry leaders said at a press briefing for the Textile Innovation Expo 2026.
Scheduled for November 12–14 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), Dhaka. The Expo will bring together textile and apparel factories, technology providers, brands, buyers, researchers and industry professionals to showcase innovation-driven products, processes, technologies and solutions.
Organized by Textile Innovation Exchange (TIE), co-organized 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.
The press briefing was attended by Engr. Md. Enayet Hossain, President of ITET Bangladesh; Eng. Imran Kader Turjo, Director of BKMEA; Md. Abdul Hamid, President of BGBA; Engr. Sumayel Mohammad Mallik, Senior Vice President of ITET; Engr. A.S.M. Hafizur Rahman Nixon, Secretary General of ITET Bangladesh and Member of the TIE Steering Board and Engr. Ehsanul Karim Kaiser, Chairman of Textile Innovation Exchange (TIE) and Executive Chairman of Textile Today Innovation Hub.
Data from Eurostat cited in the briefing showed that the average EU price per kilogram of Bangladeshi apparel fell 8.47% between January and July 2026, while Vietnam’s rose 11.76%. The trend highlights the need for Bangladesh to enhance product value and productivity as production costs rise and buyer prices remain under pressure.
The exhibition will feature four theme zones: Dyeing and Printing Innovation, Textile Materials Innovation, Garment Automation Innovation, and Green and Sustainable Technology Innovation. Factory Innovation Pavilions will allow local manufacturers to present innovative products, best practices and factory-based programs designed to improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability.
The Open Innovation Area will provide a platform for researchers, universities, startups, innovators and factory engineers to showcase solutions addressing industry challenges. The Expo will also host six technical seminars on topics including sustainability management, new fibers, digital product passports, traceability, textile recycling, productivity and energy conservation, alongside a plenary seminar on “Strategy for Systemic Innovation Implementation.”
Organizers expect around 50 textile, apparel and accessories factories and 200 technology and solution providers to exhibit. Approximately 5,000 visitors, including 100 brands and buyers and more than 200 international delegates from over 30 countries, are expected.
The Textile Innovation Award 2026 will be held as a key event of the expo. This award aims to recognize organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to factory-level innovation, technological advancement, product development, and sustainable management within Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry.
This year, the award will be presented across eight categories: Process Innovation, Manufacturing Innovation, Technology, Product Development, Marketing and Market Development, Environmental Sustainability, Social Sustainability, and HR and Organizational Development. The final categories and the names of the winners will be officially announced following the completion of the designated evaluation and selection process.
Notably, Textile Innovation Exchange (TIE) was inaugurated by Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on May 16, 2026. Its implementation arm, TTIH, has conducted more than 270 innovation projects across over 80 factories in the past seven years.
Through the Expo, organizers aim to encourage stronger industry–research collaboration and help Bangladesh move towards medium- and high-value markets through innovation-led competitiveness.
