The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SGCCI) has announced the launch of the Surat International Textile & Machinery Expo (SITME 2026) in partnership with the Surat Embroidery Association (SEA).
Scheduled for January 9–12, 2026, SITME 2026 is set against the backdrop of the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC) in Sarsana. This four-day event is designed to pivot Surat from a mere fabric hub to a manufacturing powerhouse for high-tech embroidery machinery. This strategic shift aligns with the recent government deferment of the Quality Control Order (QCO) for textile machinery to late 2026, providing local manufacturers a crucial window to upgrade their domestic production capabilities to match international benchmarks.
Scaling productivity through computerized automation
With over 2.5 lakh embroidery machines currently operating in Surat, the city is recognized as the world’s second-largest embroidery cluster, employing nearly 12 lakh individuals. SITME 2026 arrives at a critical juncture where the industry is moving away from manual labor toward a 68 per cent market dominance of multi-head computerized systems. The expo will feature over 100 advanced machines from 60 major manufacturers across India, showcasing a ‘No-Touch’ automation and IoT-enabled predictive maintenance. These technologies are vital for local job workers facing rising labor costs, as they allow for simultaneous high-precision stitching across multiple heads, significantly reducing defects in high-value wedding and festival apparel.
Beyond pure machinery, the exhibition highlights Surat's evolving role in the global textile value chain, contributing 15–20 per cent of India’s man-made textile exports. As the industry faces a ‘Double Whammy’ of global tariffs and regional competition, the focus at SITME 2026 remains on value addition through ‘chaotic customization’ and sustainable threadwork.
As per Nikhil Madrasi, President, SGCCI, the expo acts as an ‘Industry for Industry’ platform, empowering more than 25,000 expected buyers to source the latest indigenous tech, effectively reducing the region’s historical reliance on machinery imports from China and Korea.
An apex business body in South Gujarat, SGCCI is dedicated to promoting trade, industry, and the ‘Brand Surat’ global identity through large-scale B2B exhibitions and policy advocacy.
