Bharat Tex 2026 Achieves Record Participation and Investment Commitments
The first three days of Bharat Tex 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, have established the event as the epicenter of the global textile and apparel industry, demonstrating unprecedented business momentum and reinforcing India's position as the world's premier textile sourcing and innovation hub. The world's largest integrated textile event recorded exceptional metrics: 1,647 exhibitors occupied over 16 lakh square feet of space, attracting nearly 95,000 business visitors with over 20,000 repeat visits. International participation was substantial with 11,315 buyers including 6,090 international buyers from 138 countries, alongside 3,461 delegates.
Investment and Business Generation
The event catalyzed approximately INR 14,300 crore in textile investment commitments through more than 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed by various states. Karnataka committed INR 2,821 crore expected to generate 11,020 jobs, Bihar committed INR 1,476 crore targeting over 40,500 jobs, Maharashtra committed INR 1,095 crore, and Andhra Pradesh committed INR 4,100 crore. Additionally, RE&UP announced investments of INR 4,800 crore in India. The event generated serious business enquiries worth approximately $2.8 billion, supported by over 28,500 B2B meetings, more than 100 B2G and G2G interactions, and numerous strategic investment discussions.
State and International Participation
Indian state participation was remarkable with Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu participating as State Partners. The event was attended by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Dr. Mohan Yadav and Hon'ble Chief Minister of Punjab Shri Bhagwant Singh Mann, along with senior ministers from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. International ministerial delegations from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Russia, Cambodia, and Portugal participated, alongside representatives from the European Union and over 30 industry delegations from the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, South Korea, UAE, Australia, France, and Germany.
Knowledge Sharing and Innovation
The event featured 100 high-impact knowledge sessions with more than 600 policymakers, global experts, industry leaders, CXOs, and academicians addressing key themes including global trade dynamics, sustainability, circularity, technological innovation, artificial intelligence, responsible sourcing, investment opportunities, and technical textiles. The Sanrachna Hackathon at the TBD Pavilion showcased innovative technical textile solutions from students and innovators across India, including protective garments for farmers, advanced diabetic wound-care products, and lightweight insulated mattresses for extreme climates. Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh and Union Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs Shri Pabitra Margherita recognized these innovations.
MSME and Inclusive Growth Initiatives
A specialized program organized exposure visits for more than 250 entrepreneurs and weavers from Aspirational Districts across India, enabling MSMEs to engage directly with buyers, exhibitors, and industry experts to gain insights into international quality standards, branding, product innovation, and export opportunities. The International Apparel Federation (IAF) held its Board Meeting alongside the event, reinforcing India's growing influence in global apparel manufacturing.
Strategic Collaborations and Brand Development
A landmark Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between the Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) and Première Vision Paris to deepen India-European Union textile partnerships by enhancing market access, sustainable sourcing, design intelligence, and buyer-seller engagement. Discussions focused on positioning India's heritage textiles as premium global brands, with designers Rahul Mishra and Vaishali Shadangule emphasizing the potential of India's handlooms, handicrafts, and traditional weaving through craftsmanship and cultural storytelling.
Exhibition and Sustainability Focus
The CMAI's Brands of India Pavilion in Hall No. 4 featured over 70 leading Indian apparel brands including Westside, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, US Polo Assn, Arrow, Flying Machine, Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Peter England, Reebok, American Eagle, Ralph Lauren, Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani, Jaypore, W for Woman, Bewakoof, Dollar, Bodycare, and Duke. The pavilion首次 featured a dedicated showcase of India's intimate and innerwear segment. Sustainability was central through the Eco-Stitch Sustainability & Circularity Hub presented by CMAI and the Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability (GATS), featuring thematic zones including India Impact Wall, Circularity at Scale, From Waste to Global Wardrobe, Made in Circular Bharat, Material & Innovation Library, and the Circular Bharat Forum.