India’s premier textiles event, Bharat Tex 2024, wrapped up in New Delhi on Thursday, showcasing the nation’s textile prowess and reaffirming its global standing in the industry.
The four-day affair, inaugurated on February 26, drew inspiration from PM Modi’s 5F vision: Farm to fibre; fibre to factory; factory to fashion; fashion to foreign.
The event attracted a diverse array of participants, including policymakers, global CEOs, 3500 exhibitors, 3000 buyers from 111 countries, and over one lakh trade visitors. Over 63 MoUs were signed, including 10 by the Central Silk Board for research, collaboration, and innovation; 22 between NIFT and various international fashion schools and Indian educational/research institutions; and 5 by the Wool Research Association for material development and field research, among others.
Among the prominent attendees were representatives from renowned textile organizations and brands worldwide, including Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Vero Moda, Jack n Jones, Toray, H&M, Target, Kohl’s, IKEA, Anko, CIEL Group, Busana Group, Brandix Apparels, and Teijin Ltd.
The event showcased a farm to fibre full value chain expo, and leading textile states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka presented their pavilions, highlighting textiles from their respective regions.
With 70 sessions and 112 international speakers, key textile issues including mega trends, sustainability, resilient global supply chains, and manufacturing 4.0 were discussed during the exhibition. Over 10,000 artisans, weavers, design and fashion students, factory workers, NGOs, and producer companies participated as special invitees.
The event also witnessed the launch of several books and served as a launchpad for initiatives like IndiaTEX and the Textile Grand Innovation Challenge. Additionally, the UNEP Report for Sustainable Textile Hub in India and a documentary on women empowerment in the silk sector were unveiled during Bharat Tex.