AOB: How would you measure the growth of the show over the years? Were your exhibitors happy with the visitors turnout this year?
Nandgopal: The show has been very well received by the industry going by the high level of attendance and the satisfaction matrix of the exhibitors. With a record 12,000 plus business visitors, the turnout has been satisfying, especially in view of the ongoing political turmoil in the country. Feedback from the exhibitors has confirmed that the overall quality of the visitors has been improving over the years, and is leading to serious discussions and closure of orders. This year, there were a total of 300 exhibitors; the new exhibitors were overwhelmed by the quality of the visitors, many of them have confirmed spot orders as well. The show has always attracted the decision makers and technical personnel from the RMG industry. We have grown by 25% in terms of exhibitors and 35% more in terms of exhibition space, over the last one year.
AOB: How would you interpret the presence of several countries especially in the accessories section?
Nandgopal: China was predominant in the accessories and fabric section because the country has the range which Bangladesh doesn’t make. Also, Chinese manufacturers are more inclined towards exports and they come looking for export opportunities here. Our local accessories manufacturers are equally enthusiastic and they come to the show in larger numbers to display almost all the products required by garment manufacturers. In comparison, Indian accessory manufacturers are not too keen about this market. Similar is the attitude of the Turkish machinery manufacturers, who do not seem to have any long- or even medium-term goals. Their participation is very sporadic; they come here but are not prepared to offer any subsequent service to the market, nor do they strategize well. They end up associating with the wrong distributor, and eventually fail to do business here.
AOB: Which, among the three segments: machinery, accessories, yarns and fabrics, do you think will have a larger presence in the coming years?
Nandgopal: We are seeing increasing professionalism of the exhibitors especially in the way they showcase products to meet the current needs of the industry. We are also observing that visitors are coming with specific needs. We would like more participation in the accessories segment, even though it has grown by 40% this year, and in yarns and fabrics as well. With regard to machineries, it’s an ‘on/off’ situation; sometimes there are more embroidery machines, sometimes there are more of printing machines. Actually, it’s a demand-led situation. But we have noticed that there is a clear upgradation to machines with additional features like energy efficiency, and price is no longer the main consideration. Rather, the capability of a machine to enhance productivity, or help in making value additions, etc., has become more significant. We do not intentionally push any particular segment, nor do we try to promote or persuade any segment to participate. The industry at large knows that we are offering a good platform. Two years back, SunStar had taken 250 sq. metres of space, but they were not present this year; does this make the exhibition any smaller…?
AOB: The venue this year faced some problems like water logging due to incessant rain and unwanted visitors from the trade show running next door. Would you consider moving to a new venue for your next show?
Nandgopal: I am pretty sure that we shall have a bigger show next year; even international consultants foresee our show becoming bigger and better. With regard to an unforeseen situation like water logging due to rain we will take more care in future and ensure that unwanted visitors are stopped at the registration desk only. But yes, we are contemplating a different venue, maybe Vasundhara City, but first we will have to check it out if there’re any logistical issues and whether it can accommodate the growing number of participants. Bangabandhu has a huge exhibition space where all booths are at a uniform distance from each other, but at Vasundhara City, the exhibitions halls are smaller and at a distance from each other, and we would have to put up hangers, which would not really be an advantage.
We also have to see the new venue’s feasibility in terms of accessibility, which could impact visitor footfall. Though our exhibitors are used to our current venue, it’s also a fact that people in Bangladesh are always eager to see new sites. I am confident that since our exhibitors do not participate in any other exhibition, they will not be averse to shift to our new venue, and the business visitors would come anyways to meet the technically sound exhibitors and other professionals from the industry.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
