TBT DESK: The Textile Innovation Exchange (TIE) was officially launched on Saturday with policymakers, industry leaders, academics and innovators calling for stronger research, sustainability and collaboration to boost Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector.
The grand launching ceremony was held at the ballroom of Le Méridien Dhaka, bringing together representatives from government agencies, textile and garment industries, academia, technology providers and development partners.
The initiative aims to institutionalise innovation as a measurable and evidence-based practice across the textile and apparel industry through stronger collaboration among factories, universities, researchers, technology providers and global stakeholders.
The programme began with a welcome address by Md Shamsuzzaman, chairman of the organising committee of the TIE grand launching programme.
Commerce, Industries, and Textiles & Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir attended the programme as chief guest, while Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Textiles Md Zulhash Uddin was present as guest of honour.
Addressing the event, the minister said Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector must focus more on research, innovation and sustainable adaptability to remain competitive globally.
“We need more research and innovation and more sustainable adaptability to exist,” he said, adding that utility optimisation should remain a key concern for industries.
He also urged manufacturers to become more research-oriented and innovation-driven, warning that industries unable to adapt to changing global realities would eventually fall behind.
Professor Zulhash Uddin said the Innovation Exchange could play a significant role in industrial research, including the development of new materials, reducing utility costs and chemical consumption, and strengthening collaboration between industry and academia.
Special guests at the programme included Inamul Haq Khan, spokesperson of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association Abdullah Al Mamun, President of Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association Md Abdul Hamid and Md Enayet Hossain.
During the programme, a corporate video of TIE was unveiled, followed by presentations from Tareq Amin highlighting the alignment between Textile Today Innovation Hub and the newly launched initiative.
The organisers also announced the upcoming PIIC Season 1 and Textile Innovation Expo 2026 to promote innovation-driven collaboration across the sector.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of TIE and Executive Chairman of Textile Today Innovation Hub, Ehsanul Karim Kaiser, stressed the importance of building an innovation ecosystem to support Bangladesh’s future competitiveness in the global textile and apparel market.
Md Hasib Uddin also addressed the programme, highlighting the need for research-based industrial collaboration and practical innovation initiatives.
A memento presentation and group photo session were held to honour distinguished guests and contributors to the initiative. The logo of the Textile Innovation Exchange was also unveiled at the event.
A major highlight of the programme was the introduction of the Textile Innovation Exchange Board, comprising prominent leaders from Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry and academia.
The board includes Saiful Islam Khan, Ayub Nabi Khan, Hafizur Rahman Nixon, ATM Mahbubul Alam, Shafiur Rahman, Md Azhar Ali and ASM Tareq Amin, among others.
The event concluded with a networking and luncheon session where participants exchanged views on future collaboration, sustainable innovation, advanced manufacturing and strengthening Bangladesh’s position as a global hub for textile innovation.
Organisers expressed optimism that the Textile Innovation Exchange would play a transformative role in connecting innovation, research and industry practices to support the long-term sustainable growth of Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector.
