An international textile sourcing and garment machinery exhibition in Colombo drew 7,889 trade visitors from more than 18 countries and regions, highlighting growing industry interest in technology, automation, sustainability and supply-chain diversification.
Intex Sri Lanka 2026 and InMac Sri Lanka 2026, held over three days at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), brought together 276 exhibitors across 440 booths from more than 14 countries and regions, according to the organisers.
The combined exhibition brought together textile and apparel suppliers, machinery manufacturers, technology providers, garment exporters, sourcing professionals, buyers, engineers and other industry stakeholders, creating a platform for business-to-business sourcing and technology partnerships.
Sri Lanka’s apparel industry, a major contributor to the country’s export economy, is facing increasing pressure to remain competitive as global brands demand greater flexibility, faster production, improved traceability and stronger environmental performance.
Against that backdrop, the event placed significant emphasis on technologies and solutions aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency and responding to changing international market requirements.
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Suppliers from India, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Australia, Germany, South Korea, the United States and Thailand, among other markets, participated in the exhibition.
India had a strong presence at the exhibition, with several Indian textile export councils and companies participating in the event.
The “Incredible Textiles of India” Pavilion was inaugurated by India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, in the presence of representatives from Indian textile trade bodies including TEXPROCIL, MATEXIL, PDEXCIL and FIEO.
The Indian participation highlighted the growing importance of regional supply-chain connections as textile and apparel manufacturers look to diversify sourcing and build closer relationships with suppliers in neighbouring markets.
The India-Sri Lanka Textile Trade Forum 2026, jointly organised with the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, brought together manufacturers, suppliers, trade associations and other stakeholders from both countries.
Discussions at the forum focused on bilateral sourcing opportunities, strengthening supplier-buyer relationships and identifying areas for greater cooperation between the two countries’ textile and apparel industries.
Beyond the exhibition floor, industry experts and business leaders discussed some of the major forces reshaping textile and apparel manufacturing.
The Interactive Business Forum (IBF) featured sessions on green regulations, circularity, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation, supply-chain innovation and smart manufacturing.
The focus reflects a broader transformation underway across the global apparel industry, where manufacturers are increasingly investing in technologies that can improve productivity while reducing energy, water, material and labour costs.
Environmental regulations are also becoming a stronger factor in sourcing decisions, particularly in major export markets. Manufacturers are therefore under growing pressure to demonstrate progress on resource efficiency, waste reduction, traceability and circular production practices.
For Sri Lankan manufacturers, access to international machinery and technology suppliers could help support investments in automation and modern production systems while strengthening the industry’s competitiveness in global markets.
The exhibition was formally inaugurated by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, alongside senior representatives from the Export Development Board, Industrial Development Board, Joint Apparel Association Forum and other industry organisations.
Diplomatic and trade representatives from India, China, Indonesia and Switzerland also attended the opening ceremony and toured the exhibition.
The event brought together stakeholders from across the textile value chain, including garment manufacturers, exporters, sourcing professionals, technical and engineering teams, buyers and international suppliers.
Organisers said visitor numbers were higher than in the previous edition, signalling stronger demand for international sourcing opportunities and manufacturing technologies.
The strong participation from international suppliers comes at a time when apparel manufacturers across South Asia are reassessing their supply chains amid changing buyer requirements, rising production costs and increasing demand for sustainable manufacturing.
Regional sourcing has become increasingly important as companies seek shorter supply chains, diversified supplier bases and greater resilience against disruptions in global trade.
For Sri Lanka, strengthening connections with suppliers and technology providers from countries such as India and China could support efforts to upgrade manufacturing capabilities and develop higher-value apparel production.
The exhibition also provided international suppliers with access to Sri Lanka’s established apparel manufacturing and export base, creating opportunities for longer-term commercial partnerships.
With 276 exhibitors, 440 booths and 7,889 trade visitors, Intex-InMac Sri Lanka 2026 underscored the continued importance of Colombo as a meeting point for textile sourcing, manufacturing technology and international business cooperation.
The event’s combination of sourcing, machinery, business forums and bilateral trade discussions reflects how competitiveness in the global textile and apparel industry is increasingly being shaped not only by production capacity, but also by technology, sustainability, supply-chain resilience and access to international markets.