ITALIAN textile machinery exports to Bangladesh grew 17% in 2025 to approximately €71 million, according to figures presented at an ITA–ACIMIT B2B workshop in Dhaka this month.

The rebound placed Bangladesh among Asia's stronger-growth markets for Italian suppliers. Asia absorbed around 40% of Italy's textile machinery shipments in 2025, Antonietta Baccanari, Commissioner of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), told delegates.

Italy's machinery sector counts roughly 300 manufacturers, 12,500 employees and €1.9 billion in annual production, with 86% of output exported to more than 130 countries.

The workshop, promoted by ITA and ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) with support from the Embassy of Italy in Dhaka, drew 11 Italian machinery suppliers and Bangladeshi mill owners from BGMEA, BKMEA and BTMA member companies.

What does the 17% rebound signal for sourcing?

The 2025 recovery tracks with mill-level investment in spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing upgrades as Bangladesh pushes up the value chain. Baccanari said Italian firms are committed to supplying flexible, customized and energy-efficient technologies that support that transition.

Participating Italian suppliers:

• Color Service
• Corino Macchine
• Danti Paolo
• Durst
• L.A.I.P.
• Lawer
• Pinter Caipo
• Reggiani Macchine
• Salvadè
• Tecnorama
• Ugolini

What do Bangladeshi trade bodies want from Italy?

BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem stressed that advanced spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing technologies are essential for improving efficiency, reducing production costs, conserving energy and water, and meeting the sustainability expectations of international buyers.

BGMEA Director Shah Rayeed Chowdhury highlighted significant opportunities for Italian investment in Bangladesh's growing non-cotton textile sector, alongside other emerging industries.

How is ACIMIT framing the deal pipeline?

Alice Vago, Head of Training and Member Relations at ACIMIT, said: "Bangladesh and Italy have built a mutually beneficial relationship through trade, technology and industrial cooperation. While Italy remains an important destination for Bangladeshi apparel exports, Italian textile machinery continues to be recognized worldwide for its engineering excellence, reliability and innovation. In addition, sustainability, automation, digitalization and circular production are reshaping the global textile industry, investing in advanced manufacturing technologies is increasingly important for maintaining competitiveness."

What scale sits behind the spending decision?

BTMA Director Chowdhury Mohammed Hanif Shoeb framed primary textile as the scale base — 1,883 BTMA member mills and more than US$32 billion in private investment. He cited a BTMA delegation to Italy in 2024 as the starting point for the current round of technology talks and urged mills to convert the B2B meetings into long-term commercial partnerships.

What is the sourcing takeaway?

The 17% import rebound converts the 2024 BTMA visit into firm 2025 procurement orders, concentrated in spinning and finishing equipment. For Bangladeshi mills, the immediate decision is retrofitting against buyer-side water, energy and traceability standards. For Italian suppliers, the priority is converting this 11-company cohort into multi-year framework deals with Bangladesh's primary textile and apparel associations.