ATEXCON 2026 outlines strategy for a resilient, future-ready global textile sector

The summit in Hyderabad brought policymakers and industry leaders together to chart Asia’s textile growth roadmap.

The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), in collaboration with the Government of Telangana, hosted the 13th Asian Textile Conference (ATEXCON 2026) in Hyderabad on April 2-3, with a focus on shaping a roadmap for a resilient and future-ready global textile industry. The summit comes as India targets a major export expansion, aiming to increase textile and apparel exports to $100 billion by 2030.

The conference brought together textile industry leaders, policymakers and key stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening the sector amid rapid changes driven by sustainability goals, technological disruption, innovation, and evolving trade dynamics.

Held under the theme ‘Reimagining the Future of Global Textiles’, ATEXCON 2026 was inaugurated by A Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister, Telangana. The inaugural session also featured addresses by Tummula Nageswara Rao, Telangana Textiles Minister and D Sridhar Babu, Telangana Minister for Industries & Commerce, IT, Electronics and Communications .

Addressing the gathering, Reddy said Telangana has the “skill and will” to work with the textile industry, and expressed the state’s ambition to promote “fashion made in Telangana” while positioning itself as the “textile capital of South Asia”. He noted that Telangana has prioritised environmental sustainability and is in the process of developing green textile hubs.

Tummula Nageswara Rao highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening the state’s textile value chain, while Sridhar Babu stressed the importance of technology and innovation. He said Telangana aims to blend its heritage with the “infinite potential of the chip”, adding, “When we weave our own fabric, we weave our own destiny.”

Key discussions at the summit centred around three major pillars — fibres and fabrics, manufacturing and supply chains, and markets and trade — with speakers emphasising the need to scale sustainable materials, adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and tap emerging consumer markets.

The Telangana Textile Dialogue, held alongside the conference, further expanded discussions on policy and investment, global connectivity, heritage-led innovation and skill development.

During the event, panellists stressed the importance of technology adoption, innovation-led transformation and sustainability-driven growth across the textile value chain.

Ashwin Chandran, Chairman, CITI, said the industry’s “traditional playbook” must be replaced to meet today’s volatile and complex business environment. Dr M Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Union Textiles Ministry, noted that the latest Union Budget had placed strong emphasis on the textile sector.

The summit also witnessed the release of a Gherzi Position Paper on “Reimagining the Future of Global Textiles” and a CITI Knowledge Paper titled “India’s Textile & Apparel Sector: Strengthening Competitiveness in the Emerging Asian and Global Trade Landscape”.

ATEXCON 2026 concluded with a collective commitment to drive innovation-led growth, enhance competitiveness and reinforce Asia’s role in the global textile value chain.