India ITME Society Hosts Networking Event in Singapore to Boost Textile Industry
On October 29, 2025, the India ITME Society held a special networking event titled “Fabricating the Future of the Textile Industry: From Heritage to High-Tech” in Singapore. This gathering brought together officials from the Ministry of Textiles, embassy representatives, entrepreneurs, technologists, industry organizations, and media personnel, all aiming to foster collaboration and explore new opportunities in India’s textile and textile engineering sectors.
Taking place shortly after Diwali celebrations and alongside the CITME+ASIA event in Singapore, the India ITME Society hosted an “India Business Evening.” The event aimed to encourage networking for potential partnerships, sourcing options, and trade alliances related to textiles and machinery. It saw participation from 183 delegates representing countries including the USA, UK, China, Sweden, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Turkey, Germany, and Singapore.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Indian textile industry to enhance trade partnerships and technology exchanges. The ultimate goal is to accelerate economic growth and benefit all involved parties.
Mr. Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Textiles, highlighted India’s role as a leading global hub for weaving and knitting machinery. He emphasized that with a booming domestic market of over 1.4 billion consumers, India stands as a promising destination for textile machinery investments in the coming decade.
During the event, Indian textile and engineering representatives engaged with counterparts from international organizations like the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) and the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI).
H.E. Dr. Shilpak Ambule, India’s High Commissioner to Singapore, noted that Singapore is a significant trade partner for India, especially in textiles, as India supplies a major portion of garments while Singapore serves as a key distribution hub.
Mr. Hemant Sharma, President of Polyester at Reliance Industries, pointed out that the textile industry is crucial for India’s manufacturing growth, creating jobs and driving innovation. With strong support and a spirit of enterprise, he believes the sector can become a major player on the global stage.
The event also focused on the recently signed UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which aims to foster a new global textile order emphasizing sustainability and balance. Mr. Jason Kent, CEO of the British Textile Machinery Association, discussed the unique opportunity presented by the FTA, which seeks to combine India’s manufacturing strength with the UK’s design and research capabilities.
Mr. Sanghvi, Chairman of the India ITME Society, reported a 25% increase in consumer spending during the recent Diwali festival compared to the previous year. This indicates a strong economy and market for textiles. He reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to advancing discussions and facilitating business at the upcoming India ITME 2026 event, scheduled for December 4-9, 2026, in Greater Noida, India.
The event was a significant step toward promoting India’s textile industry on a global scale and highlighted the potential for future growth and collaboration.
