Tashkent is set to become a major meeting point for the global textile and apparel industry this October, as Heimtextil Uzbekistan, Texworld Tashkent and Apparel Sourcing Tashkent return to the NEC Uzexpocentre from October 12 to 14, 2026.
Organised by Business Media Central Asia (BMCA) with the support of Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH, the three concurrent trade events will bring together textile manufacturers, fashion brands, sourcing companies, buyers, retailers and industry leaders from Central Asia and international markets.
Tashkent Strengthens Its Position as a Textile Sourcing Hub
The 2025 edition attracted 219 exhibitors from six countries and 3,982 trade visitors representing 42 countries. The exhibitions occupied 8,000 square metres, highlighting the growing international interest in Uzbekistan’s textile and apparel sector.
The 2026 edition is expected to expand this momentum with a broader international exhibitor and buyer base covering the textile value chain, from yarns and fabrics to finished garments, accessories and home textiles.
Exhibitors are expected from Uzbekistan, India, China, Turkey, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and other markets, creating a cross-regional sourcing platform connecting suppliers and buyers across Europe, Asia and Central Asia.
Growing Textile Manufacturing Base
Uzbekistan’s rapidly expanding textile manufacturing infrastructure is adding further significance to the events. As of February 2026, the country had 6,073 registered garment-manufacturing enterprises and more than 12,000 textile enterprises nationwide, including more than 5,000 focused on finished apparel.
Although Uzbekistan is one of the world’s leading cotton-producing countries, domestic mills do not yet meet the full demand for textile materials. The country imports as much as 100,000 tonnes of mixed-composition fabrics and textiles annually.
This supply gap presents opportunities for international textile manufacturers, fabric suppliers, sourcing companies and investors looking to establish partnerships within Uzbekistan’s growing textile ecosystem.
Hosted Buyer Programme Connects Exhibitors with Global Buyers
A key attraction of the 2026 exhibitions is the International Hosted Buyer Programme, designed to connect exhibitors with qualified procurement professionals, retail chains, distributors and sourcing representatives.
The programme provides selected buyers with accommodation and transfer support while facilitating targeted B2B meetings with exhibitors.
In 2025, hosted buyers and retail representatives participated from more than 15 countries and regions, including the UK, USA, Germany, France, Portugal, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Turkey, Pakistan, China, Hong Kong, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
For 2026, the programme is targeting wholesale buyers, sourcing agents representing European fashion brands, trading houses, retail chains and distributors from Europe, the CIS, Middle East and Asia.
Registration for industry professionals interested in joining the Hosted Buyer Programme is currently open.
Uzbekistan’s Textile Industry Targets Further Export Growth
Uzbekistan’s textile exports have increased significantly, rising from $6 million in 2017 to $3 billion in 2024. The country’s government has set an ambitious target of reaching $7 billion in textile exports by 2028.
The textile industry is currently valued at approximately $8.2 billion and is growing at an estimated 5–6% annually. Planned foreign investment of $2.2 billion in 2026 is expected to support further development.
Additional production capacity is also being planned, including 397 million square metres of fabric output and 224 million garment units in 2026.
Import duties on mixed-composition fabrics are being waived through 2028, creating additional opportunities for sourcing and manufacturing companies operating in the market.
SME Pavilion to Highlight Made-in-Uzbekistan Products
The dedicated SME Pavilion will return in 2026, providing small and medium-sized manufacturers from Uzbekistan’s regions with an opportunity to present their products to international buyers.
The pavilion will feature manufacturers across segments including home textiles, knitwear, apparel and accessories under the “Made in Uzbekistan” banner.
The initiative is expected to help smaller producers build international connections and gain greater access to export markets.
Industry Trends Take Centre Stage
Beyond the exhibition floor, the 2026 conference programme will focus on key issues influencing the future of Central Asia’s textile and apparel industries.
Topics scheduled for discussion include sustainable production and OEKO-TEX certification, digital transformation, new export markets for Uzbek textiles, Central Asia’s emergence as a strategic textile hub, brand diversification and textile marketing.
Women in the textile business, including the challenges and opportunities facing women industry professionals, will also feature in the conference programme.
Official Opening to Bring Industry Stakeholders Together
The official opening ceremony is expected to bring together representatives from government bodies, industry associations and international organisations.
Participants will include representatives of the Agency for the Development of Light Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Uztekstilprom Association, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH and other industry stakeholders.
Tashkent Prepares for International Textile Buyers
With its growing manufacturing base, expanding export ambitions and strategic position between Europe and Asia, Uzbekistan is increasingly attracting attention as an emerging textile and apparel sourcing destination.
The return of Heimtextil Uzbekistan, Texworld Tashkent and Apparel Sourcing Tashkent from October 12–14, 2026, is expected to provide an important platform for manufacturers and buyers to explore sourcing opportunities, establish partnerships and access the wider Central Asian market.
Registration for exhibitors, visitors and Hosted Buyer Programme participants is open through the official exhibition websites, with early registration recommended for securing preferred stand locations and buyer meeting opportunities.
