The Korea Textile Machinery Association (KOTMA) plays a vital role in promoting innovation, development, and global competitiveness in Korea’s textile machinery sector. Established to unify and empower Korea’s textile machinery manufacturers, KOTMA acts as the central platform for collaboration between industry players, research institutes, and global trade stakeholders.
Headquartered in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk Province, and housed within the Korea Textile Machinery Convergence Research Institute, KOTMA is uniquely positioned to drive both industrial innovation and technology convergence in the Korean textile machinery ecosystem.
Mission and Core Functions of KOTMA
KOTMA is more than just a representative body—it’s a strategic enabler of Korea’s textile machinery excellence. Its core responsibilities include:
Supporting Manufacturers: KOTMA represents over 30 member companies involved in spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing, and nonwoven machinery production. The association ensures that manufacturers are equipped to meet international standards and market expectations.
Promoting R&D and Technology Convergence: KOTMA actively facilitates collaborative research by integrating IT, automation, and smart manufacturing into textile machinery solutions.
Publishing Industry Data: Through its official publications, including the Korea Textile Machinery Guide, KOTMA introduces domestic manufacturers and their capabilities to international buyers, providing product specifications and company profiles for reference.
Organizing Trade Missions and Exhibitions: KOTMA helps its members participate in leading global exhibitions and technology exchange programs, opening doors to new markets and innovation opportunities.
KOTMA’s Impact on Korea’s Global Textile Leadership
KOTMA’s efforts directly contribute to Korea’s strong global positioning in the textile machinery sector. Its members—many of them small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—are globally recognized for quality, precision, and innovation. By supporting digital transformation and automation, KOTMA ensures that Korean textile machinery remains relevant and competitive in the age of Industry 4.0.
Moreover, KOTMA acts as a trusted bridge between Korean companies and international associations, buyers, and research institutions, creating a collaborative ecosystem built on knowledge-sharing and long-term growth.
A Call for Global Cooperation
As the global textile industry moves toward automation, sustainability, and digital integration, KOTMA invites international partners, investors, and stakeholders to collaborate in shaping the next generation of smart textile manufacturing.
What do you know about KOTRA?
KOTRA, initially the Korea Trade Promotion Corporation, was established in 1962 as a national trade promotion organization. Since then, it has successfully facilitated Korea’s rapid export-led economic development through various trade promotion activities such as overseas market surveys and business matchmaking.
In August 1995, cross-border investment promotion and support for technological and industrial cooperation projects was added to KOTRA’s mandate, and it was renamed the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
KOTRA currently operates Invest KOREA, the national investment promotion agency. Originally initiated as the Korea Investment Service Center (KISC) in 1998, the agency was relaunched as Invest KOREA in November 2003 to support foreign investors by offering more powerful incentives and an expanded range of services.
KOTRA is now well-equipped to pursue its twin mandates of trade and investment promotion to enhance national prosperity and competitiveness, with the ultimate goal of positioning Korea as the business and economic hub of Northeast Asia. With its long-term experience and expertise, KOTRA serves and assists all interested parties worldwide to do business with Korea.
In order to execute its mandates more efficiently, KOTRA has opened an extensive worldwide network of overseas Korea Business Centers. As of 2023, 129 Korea Business Centers are operating in 84 countries.
And to take maximum advantage of the era of E-Commerce, KOTRA launched the interactive Internet portal sites of INVEST KOREA Online in 2003 and BuyKorea in 2004, respectively.
KOTRA Academy was launched in 2003 as a professional learning center for international business. In the long run, KOTRA’s well-trained trade and investment manpower, armed with relevant theoretical and practical knowledge, will bolster the nation’s trade and investment infrastructure.
