January 20, 2026 – Organizers announced that the 21st Dubai Spring International Apparel & Textile Fair (IATF) is scheduled from May 18 to 20, 2026, set to boost regional textile and bag exports and strengthen global trade partnerships. Over 750 exhibitors across 32 countries, covering textile and bag manufacturers from Southeast Asia, Europe and the Middle East, will gather at the event.

A key highlight is the dedicated Sustainable Textile Bag Pavilion, showcasing merchandise crafted from recycled cotton, organic hemp and biodegradable fibers. Major Middle Eastern retailers including Carrefour and Lulu Group from the UAE will attend to source new textile bag collections, with projected procurement exceeding USD 500 million.

The Middle Eastern textile bag market is expanding rapidly; its 2025 export value hit USD 2.1 billion, representing a 7.8% year-on-year increase. Saudi Arabia and the UAE stand as the region’s top exporters, with dominant demand focused on woven shopping bags and premium textile travel bags. Industry insiders remark the trade fair will empower local Middle Eastern manufacturers to penetrate African and European markets.