Strong Support for ITM 2026 from International Industry Leaders

ITM 2026 brought together industry representatives from different parts of the world in Istanbul and received high praise from leading figures of the global textile industry. Representatives of major industry organizations from Syria, Egypt, Russia, India and Bangladesh emphasized that Türkiye’s progress in textile machinery manufacturing and the international influence of ITM continue to grow year after year.

Industry leaders agreed that the exhibition is not only a showcase for new technologies but has also evolved into a strategic platform where new investments, business partnerships, and global collaborations are shaped.

A Call for Cooperation with the Turkish Textile Industry from Syria

Stating that a new reconstruction era has begun in Syria, Imad Taha Alkasem, Chairman of Aleppo Chamber of Industry said that ITM 2026 is of great importance for Syrian industrialists. Alkasem noted that they visited the exhibition with a delegation of approximately 100 industrialists and emphasized that modern machinery and technologies are needed to rebuild the production infrastructure damaged by the war.

Recalling that the Syrian textile industry had long been one of the strongest manufacturing centers in the region, Alkasem highlighted Aleppo’s historic role in textile production and stressed that strong partnerships could be established with Turkish companies during the reconstruction process.

“There is a very large market in Syria that is reopening. Because of the war, a significant portion of our machinery has either been damaged or become outdated. We came here to see the latest technologies and examine solutions that will help revive our production,” said Alkasem, adding that the level reached by the Turkish textile machinery industry serves as an important benchmark for Syria.

Pointing out that the machinery infrastructure of many factories has either aged significantly or suffered serious damage due to the war, Alkasem stated: “Today, there is a substantial need and a significant gap in Syria, particularly in textile machinery. This process offers important opportunities for Turkish companies. Türkiye is one of the world’s leading countries in textile technologies and manufacturing expertise. Syria needs this know-how and technology. We believe that Turkish and Syrian industrialists, especially in Aleppo, can successfully carry out major projects together. When Syria’s experienced workforce and manufacturing tradition are combined with Türkiye’s technological infrastructure and strength in global markets, very important synergies will emerge.”

“ITM Brings Together the Entire Supply Chain”

Hany Elhabiby, Chairman of Egyptian Textile Development Association, stated that textile cooperation between Türkiye and Egypt has strengthened significantly in recent years. Noting that Egyptian manufacturers are showing increasing interest in Turkish textile machinery, alongside growing Turkish investments in Egypt, Elhabiby described ITM as a unique platform that brings together all stakeholders of the industry.

Highlighting the remarkable transformation achieved by Turkish machinery manufacturers over the past two decades, Elhabiby said, “It is clearly possible to see the development of Turkish textile machinery manufacturers through the scale and international character of ITM.”

Emphasizing that all stages of textile production—from spinning and weaving to knitting, dyeing, and finishing—are represented at the exhibition, Elhabiby added, “One of ITM’s greatest strengths is that it brings together every link of the textile production chain on a single platform.”

“ITM is Becoming Stronger and More International Every Year”

Andrey Razbrodin, President of the Russian Union of Entrepreneurs of Textile & Apparel Industry, stated that ITM’s development over the years has been remarkable. Having closely followed the Turkish textile machinery industry for nearly a decade, Razbrodin noted that Turkish companies have made significant progress in technology and quality.

“There is a huge difference between the ITM exhibition I first visited about ten years ago and the event I see today. The exhibition continues to grow and become more international every year,” said Razbrodin, adding that the global competitiveness of the Turkish textile machinery industry has increased at the same pace.

 

“Türkiye’s Strategic Location Has Turned ITM into a Global Hub”

Ketan Sanghvi, Chairman of India ITME Society, stated that Türkiye’s strategic location plays a key role in ITM’s success. Describing Türkiye as a natural bridge connecting Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Sanghvi noted that this advantage significantly enhances the exhibition’s international appeal.

“Türkiye’s central location enables visitors from many parts of the world to reach the exhibition easily. As a result, ITM has become a truly global meeting point,” said Sanghvi. He also emphasized that Türkiye’s strong domestic market and export success contribute significantly to the exhibition’s growth.

Sanghvi further noted that there are considerable opportunities for stronger cooperation between Türkiye and India in technology, investment, and trade.

“Digitalization and Automation Are Our Priority”

Md. Shaif Ullah Mansur, Director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), stated that digitalization and automation are the top priorities for Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest apparel exporter.

Explaining that they are investing in next-generation production technologies to reduce costs and strengthen global competitiveness, Mansur said, “New-generation machinery, automation, and digitalization are critical for our industry. At ITM, we had the opportunity to see all of these technologies together under one roof.”

Mansur emphasized that ITM is much more than a technology exhibition, adding: “Here we meet Turkish and international industry representatives, discuss the future of the sector, and explore opportunities for cooperation. ITM is a very powerful platform for the textile industry.”

The evaluations of international industry leaders demonstrate that ITM 2026 has gone beyond being a regional event and has become one of the most important meeting points for the global textile technology industry. Participants agreed that, thanks to Türkiye’s manufacturing strength, technological infrastructure, and strategic location, ITM will continue to be one of the key events shaping the future of the global textile industry in the years ahead.