India is showcasing her finest weaves at the International Apparel and Textile Fair (IATF) at Festival Arena, Dubai , presenting a wide array of high-quality fabrics and presenting its unmatched textile expertise. With a strong delegation of manufacturers, designers, and artisans, the country highlighted its rich heritage and modern capabilities in textile production. From traditional handloom creations to innovative, sustainable fabrics, India’s display emphasized its leadership in the global textile industry.
India’s leading textile export promotion councils, the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) and the Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC), are leading a delegation of over fifty Indian textile exporters to the 18th edition of the International Apparel & Textile Fair (IATF) in Dubai. This year, Dubai marks the 10th anniversary of the IATF, which has proven to be UAE’s premier B2B fashion platform.
The HEPC promotes India’s rich handloom heritage and diverse handcrafted textile products through international trade events, while the WWEPC bolsters the country’s wool and woollen exports by expanding market reach and ensuring compliance with global standards. Both councils play a vital role in enhancing India’s textile exports.
India’s textile industry holds immense economic significance, contributing 2% to the country’s GDP and making it the third-largest textile exporter globally. The sector is a major employer, with over 45 million people in the workforce, largely powered by women. India’s textile and apparel market is valued at $176 billion, with $139 billion in the domestic market and $37 billion in exports. Looking ahead, India’s textile and apparel market is projected to reach $350 billion by 2030. The country is the second-largest producer of cotton, polyester, viscose, and silk, with India holding a 4.5% share in the global textile and apparel trade.
At the IATF, over 450 international participants will showcase a diverse blend of apparel, fabrics, prints, home textiles, accessories, footwear, and more, including the latest Autumn-Winter 2025 and Spring-Summer 2025 collections. The fair serves as a hub for trendsetting and sourcing excellence, shaping the style landscape of the Gulf region. The biannual three-day fair will conclude on Nov 14th.
By – Vinod Kumar (Dubai)