Bengaluru, August 12: The logo of World Textile India (WTI) 2026, one of the upcoming major international forums for India’s textile and apparel industry, was unveiled today. With this, the countdown to this important global textile expo has begun.
The first edition of World Textile India will be held from October 1 to 4, 2026 at the Karnataka Trade Promotion Organisation (KTPO)** in Whitefield, Bengaluru. The expo will bring together textile manufacturers, exporters, designers, brands, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and international representatives under one platform.
The event, organized by the Federation of Industries Research and Development, is being coordinated by its counterpart, Bharat Udyam Seva Kendra. WTI is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).
The logo unveiling marks the beginning of a broader vision to position Indian textiles on a stronger global platform. It aims to create new opportunities for innovation, exports, collaboration and business growth. The four-day expo is expected to witness participation from around 30 countries, with prominent brands and industry representatives from key markets including Canada, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam as key attractions.
Speaking about the initiative, the organisers said that Bengaluru, one of the major metropolitan cities and commercial hubs of South India, has been chosen for the first edition of WTI. With a strong ecosystem of technology, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and global trade, Bengaluru will provide an ideal platform for Indian textile industries to connect with international buyers, brands and industry partners, they said.
More than a traditional exhibition, World Textile India 2026 aims to create a comprehensive platform for entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, innovate and expand their businesses globally. The Expo will showcase opportunities across the entire value chain of the textile and apparel sector. Participating industries will be provided with networking, market access and international exposure and opportunities.
One of the key attractions of WTI is the International Fashion Show, which will feature the International Best Designer of the Year award with a first prize of ₹5 lakh. An Institutional Fashion Show, with a first prize of ₹1 lakh, will also be organised, providing a platform for emerging and established Indian design talents to showcase their talent. The Best Indian Designer of the Year award will be presented on the occasion.
Another highlight of the programme will be three international summits on key issues related to the textile and apparel sector. Union Ministers, State Ministers, key industry leaders and entrepreneurs are expected to participate in these summits, which will provide an opportunity for participants to interact and exchange views on the future of the industry.
The organisers aim to make WTI not just a one-off event, but an ongoing global platform. The entrepreneurs and brands selected in this edition in Bengaluru will get the opportunity to exhibit at international expos to be organized in UAE, Malaysia and Canada in 2026 and 2027. This will open new avenues for Indian industries to explore new international markets.
With the logo unveiling, World Textile India 2026 has officially begun its journey towards becoming a global platform to showcase the potential of the Indian textile sector globally and connect the country’s industries with international opportunities. The Bengaluru edition is expected to be a hub for the convergence of business, technology, design, innovation and international trade, reflecting the ambition to further strengthen India’s position in the global textile and apparel ecosystem.
Speaking after the inauguration of the event, Shri K. H., Minister for Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Government of Karnataka, said: Muniyappa said, “World Textile India 2026 is a significant initiative to connect the potential of India’s textile sector with global opportunities. Bengaluru, with its strong entrepreneurial, technology and industrial ecosystem, is the ideal city to host the first edition of this international platform. Karnataka has always promoted innovation, entrepreneurship and investment. We welcome such initiatives that create new opportunities for our textile entrepreneurs, manufacturers, designers and exporters,” he said.
National Vice President, Shri Abdul Rasheed (Retd. IPS), said, “World Textile India is designed as a platform to connect the Indian textile industry with the world. The Bengaluru edition is the beginning of a broader journey that will create continuous opportunities for entrepreneurs, exporters, designers and brands to access international markets. With the participation of nearly 30 countries, WTI will provide an ideal environment for industries to connect, collaborate and explore new possibilities for growth,” he said.
National Vice President – Trade & Facilitation, Dr. Vempalli Amanullah said, “Trade facilitation is the focus of World Textile India. The textile industry has immense potential to expand its international reach. WTI will provide entrepreneurs with direct connectivity to international brands, buyers and trade networks. In addition to the Bengaluru edition, we will be undertaking international activities in markets like UAE, Malaysia and Canada, designed to help industries explore new markets and build partnerships,” he said.
On this occasion, Dr. Samba Shiva, National Director – Development & Facilitation, Shri Arvind Govindappa, Divisional President – South, Shri M. Jayashankar, Regional President – South India – Development & Establishment, Shri Naveen Kumar, National Director – Technical Facilitation & Research, and Shri Manjunath Acharya, National Director – Trade Facilitation, South Division, Federation of Industries Research and Development were present.
