Road shows in Narayanganj and Dhaka brought Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry together with representatives of China’s textile machinery sector, highlighting technology development, industrial cooperation and preparations for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026.
The two programmes, held in Narayanganj on September 1 and Dhaka on September 2, attracted approximately 185 participants across both events. Textile and apparel industry leaders, business representatives, professionals and other stakeholders participated, alongside a four-member Chinese delegation.
The road shows were organised to promote ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, scheduled for November 20–24, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), China. The exhibition is jointly owned by CEMATEX, CCPIT TEX, the China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) and China International Exhibition Center Group (CIEC).
Narayanganj Road Show Highlights Industry Cooperation
The first programme was held on September 1 at Narayanganj Club, with approximately 85 participants. Attendees included Directors from BKMEA, the Vice President of NCCI and Director, NCCI, along with Chinese delegates and other speakers.
Following guest arrival, registration and preliminary networking, participants viewed an ITMA ASIA + CITME Road Show event video. The programme then proceeded with a formal opening and prayer session.
Shawkat Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief of Bangladesh Textile Journal, delivered the welcome speech.
The Bangladesh textile industry perspective was presented by Ratan Kumar Saha, Director, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and Managing Director of P.M. Knittex Pvt. Ltd. His participation brought the perspective of the country’s knitwear and apparel manufacturing sector into discussions on technology and industrial development.
Representing China’s textile machinery industry, Liu Ge, Director, China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA), addressed participants on developments in the Chinese textile machinery sector. The session also provided an opportunity for Bangladeshi industry professionals to discuss potential areas of industrial cooperation.
A presentation on ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 was delivered by Liu Dan, Business Supervisor, China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA). She introduced the exhibition and discussed its significance for the Asian textile industry.
Bangladesh–China business relations were also a key part of the programme. Md. Abu Jafar, Vice President of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, spoke on Bangladesh–China industry cooperation, while Zakaria Wahid, Director, Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, shared business remarks.
The programme concluded with an open question-and-answer session involving the Chinese delegation and Bangladeshi industry representatives, followed by an official group photograph, networking and dinner.
Dhaka Road Show Attracts Around 100 Participants
The second road show was held on September 2 at Magnolia Hall, Lakeshore Heights, Gulshan-1, Dhaka, attracting approximately 100 participants from Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry.
The Dhaka programme featured presentations and discussions covering Bangladesh’s textile industry, Bangladesh–China business relations, Chinese textile machinery development, technology requirements and the role of ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 for the Asian textile sector.
Following guest arrival and networking, the event began with a formal opening and prayer session. Shawkat Iqbal, Editor-in-Chief, Bangladesh Textile Journal, delivered the welcome speech.
An industry perspective was presented by Mohd Khorshed Alam, Director, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and President, BCCCI, focusing on Bangladesh’s textile industry and Bangladesh–China business relations.
Liu Ge, Director, CTMA, again represented the Chinese textile machinery industry and discussed its current development.
The technology requirements of Bangladesh’s textile machinery sector were addressed by Abdullah Al Mamun, Spokesperson, BTMA. Tang Rong, Director, BJITME, introduced ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 and discussed its significance for the Asian textile industry.
Mohammad Abdullah Zaber, Managing Director, Noman Group and Editor, Bangladesh Textile Journal, was also present and presented crests among the speakers and ITMA ASIA + CITME delegates. ITMA ASIA + CITME delegates also handed over gifts to the local guest speakers.
The Dhaka event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session involving the speakers and Chinese delegation, followed by an official group photograph, prayer break and networking over coffee and snacks.
Technology and Modernisation in Focus
Technological advancement emerged as a common theme across both road shows. The programmes provided Bangladeshi manufacturers and textile professionals with an opportunity to learn about developments in textile machinery while discussing future technology requirements for the industry.
The discussions covered areas including productivity, automation, energy efficiency, quality, sustainability and production competitiveness.
ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 is expected to showcase technologies across the textile manufacturing value chain, including spinning, man-made fibres, weaving, knitting, printing, dyeing and finishing, nonwovens, embroidery, garment manufacturing, recycling, testing and packaging.
The 2026 edition will also place greater emphasis on intelligent and sustainable manufacturing, with technology areas covering textile-reinforced composites, textile recycling, digital platforms, production-process automation and other emerging technologies.
Bangladesh–China Textile Industry Engagement
The participation of the four-member Chinese delegation provided an international dimension to the road shows, enabling direct interaction between Chinese textile machinery representatives and Bangladeshi manufacturers.
Discussions focused on machinery, technology, industrial requirements and potential business cooperation. China remains an important source of textile machinery and technology for Bangladesh’s textile sector, making direct engagement between the two industry communities relevant to the sector.
The road shows also combined exhibition promotion with industry discussions and business networking, allowing potential visitors to gain a better understanding of the technologies and machinery that will be presented at the Shanghai exhibition.
ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 to Cover 180,000 Square Metres
The upcoming ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 in Shanghai will occupy seven exhibition halls and cover approximately 180,000 square metres, representing a 10% increase in exhibition area compared with the previous edition.
The organisers have stated that the exhibition will focus strongly on intelligent and sustainable manufacturing. The show will cover machinery and technologies across the textile manufacturing chain, alongside new segments including automation, digitalisation, textile recycling and textile-reinforced composites.
A dedicated research and innovation area will also showcase developments involving Chinese universities and industry–academia–research collaboration.
Road Shows Build Momentum Ahead of Shanghai Exhibition
The Narayanganj and Dhaka programmes connected Bangladesh’s textile industry with the international textile machinery sector ahead of ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026.
With approximately 85 participants in Narayanganj and 100 in Dhaka, the two road shows brought together around 185 participants in total, including industry leaders, textile professionals, speakers and volunteers.
The participation of the Chinese delegation, representatives from BTMA and BKMEA, chamber leaders and senior textile industry figures strengthened the business-to-business focus of the programmes.
The two-day initiative highlighted the importance of modern machinery, intelligent manufacturing, sustainable technologies and international industrial partnerships for Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector as the industry prepares for the next generation of manufacturing technologies.
ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026 will take place in Shanghai from November 20–24, 2026.