The region’s leading textile and garment technology exhibition, ITMA ASIA made a successful return to Singapore after two presentations in 2001 and 2005. Combined with CITME, the four-day ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition at the Singapore Expo concluded on 31 October 2025 with participants praising the international mix of visitors and strong turn-out of buyers from the region. The Singapore exhibition attracted visitor ship of over 26,600 from 109 countries and regions, reaffirming its reputation as the region’s most influential showcase of textile and garment manufacturing technologies. Swiss textile machinery manufacturers delivered a powerful message of resilience, innovation, and global commitment during ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025, demonstrating that Switzerland remains one of the world’s most influential players in advanced textile technology. According to Cornelia Buchwalder, Secretary General of Swiss Textile Machinery, Switzerland ranked among the top exhibitors at this year’s event. Team Textile Focus had a conversation with Cornelia Buchwalder. Key discussion points are mentioned below for our readers-
Textile Focus: How did you find the ITMA Asia Singapore 2025 exhibition?
Cornelia Buchwalder: Overall, ITMA ASIA Singapore 2025 was a very successful exhibition. Given the challenging global business environment, expectations ahead of the show were rather modest. However, the feedback from our Swiss exhibitors was clearly positive, and many were satisfied with both the quality of visitors and the outcomes of the event. One of the key objectives was to attract participants from a wide range of countries, including regions that may find it more difficult to travel to Europe or China, and in this respect the exhibition fully met its goals. The strong international participation once again demonstrated the global reach of the ITMA brand, in which Swiss industry has long been closely involved.
Textile Focus: How did you observe 2025?
Cornelia Buchwalder: 2025 is proving to be a challenging year for the textile machinery industry worldwide. Global demand remains subdued, and overcapacity continues to weigh on investment decisions. At the same time, the industry is undergoing a structural transformation. Across all segments, we see automation, digitalisation, and sustainability as the dominant themes. These are no longer optional trends, but essential requirements for competitiveness, efficiency, and long-term viability.
Textile Focus: What will be your strategy for 2026?
Cornelia Buchwalder: Looking ahead to 2026, the focus for Swiss textile machinery companies will be on strengthening their international presence while continuing to develop solutions that address concrete operational challenges faced by textile producers. As an association, we will continue to support our members in market access, training and international promotion. Switzerland’s strength has always been its ability to deliver high-quality, reliable technology, and this will remain the basis of our strategy going forward.
Textile Focus: How do you consider the Bangladesh industry?
Cornelia Buchwalder: Bangladesh is a key market for Swiss textile machinery manufacturers and an essential pillar of the global textile and apparel value chain. The industry has made visible progress in recent years, particularly in upgrading production facilities and meeting international requirements. For Swiss suppliers, Bangladesh is an important partner market where demand increasingly goes beyond capacity expansion and focuses on modernisation, efficiency and stable production processes. We see continued potential for cooperation as the industry further develops its technical capabilities.
