A new international exposition designed to expand Malaysia's textile, tourism, fashion, and cultural sectors into global markets was officially introduced at a soft launch event in Kuala Lumpur. The three-day Malaysia International Textile and Tourism Expo (MITTE) 2026 is scheduled for November 20 to 22 and will be held at Hall 5 of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
MITTE 2026 aims to integrate multiple industries—textiles, fashion, manufacturing, culture, tourism, and international trade—to create a platform that fosters stronger business relationships between Malaysian enterprises and global partners. The expo will include a digital and cultural tourism business exchange to facilitate engagement with international buyers, investors, manufacturers, tourism operators, and potential collaborators.
Kaylye Chan, founder and chairman of MITTE, emphasized that the event seeks to offer more than a typical textile exhibition by delivering substantial business matching opportunities for participants. “We hope that through MITTE, we can connect Malaysian businesses with international buyers, investors, manufacturers, tourism players and potential partners,” she said.
Representatives from industry and government also voiced support for the initiative. Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah, chairman of the Malaysia Fashion, Modeling and Pageant Association (MFMPA), highlighted the potential to create synergy between the textile and tourism sectors. He spoke of the emerging concept of textile tourism, which could encourage visitors to Malaysia to explore and purchase local textiles alongside traditional sightseeing. Rashidi further underscored the value of fostering public-private partnerships and boosting cooperation between government agencies and industry stakeholders to stimulate the growth of the textile industry.
Khairul Hafizi Naharuddin, senior director of Kraftangan Malaysia, an agency dedicated to promoting Malaysian crafts, voiced strong support for efforts to elevate the local craft industry. He noted Malaysia's diverse range of traditional crafts beyond the well-known batik and songket fabrics, pointing to unique traditional weaves from regions such as Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak that hold untapped commercial potential.
MITTE 2026 seeks to leverage these rich cultural assets while positioning Malaysia's textile and tourism industries for broader international exposure and collaboration. The expo is expected to draw attention from both domestic and foreign enterprises keen on exploring new trade and investment opportunities.