ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025 has officially concluded, marking one of the most internationally diverse editions in recent years. In an exclusive interview with Mr. Alex Zucchi, President of CEMATEX, he shared candid reflections on the strategic decision to relocate the show from China to Singapore—and why the results exceeded expectations to Kohan Textile Journal …
Insights from President Alex Zucchi
According to Mr. Zucchi, one of the strongest motivations for choosing Singapore was its visa-friendly entry policies, which addressed a long-standing challenge faced by international visitors attending exhibitions in China.
“It wasn’t a gamble,” he explained. “It was an idea we wanted to test—to see whether we could attract more foreign visitors.”
The outcome proved remarkably successful. This year, the event welcomed a sharp rise in attendees from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Indonesia, creating an atmosphere far more global than previous editions.
“While the edition in China was nearly 90% local visitors, this one has been a truly international exhibition,” Zucchi noted. “Our exhibitors, especially the European companies, are extremely satisfied with the quality and volume of foreign customers.”
Beyond accessibility, Zucchi emphasized Singapore’s reputation as a leader in sustainability and green innovation, calling it “one of the greenest and most technologically advanced countries” despite its size.
Singapore Sets a New Standard for Sustainable and Accessible Textile Exhibitions
He stressed that the textile industry remains one of the world’s most polluting sectors, making Singapore an ideal environment to showcase modern solutions and learn from a country that has already implemented effective sustainability models.
“Our role is not only to propose new ideas, but to deliver real solutions. Singapore offers invaluable opportunities for learning how to achieve those results,” he added.
With the exhibition’s success now evident, CEMATEX will evaluate the data carefully before deciding on the next host city. But Zucchi made one point clear: future locations must guarantee easy access and straightforward visa processes, as these factors proved essential for broadening international participation.
As the industry reflects on this year’s achievements, Singapore has set a compelling benchmark—one that may very well shape the future direction of ITMA ASIA + CITME.
