West Java’s economic growth in the second quarter of 2025 reached 5.23%, higher than the national growth rate. The Textile and Textile Products (TPT) sector remains a key pillar of national manufacturing. In the first quarter of 2025, TPT export performance was solid, with export value reaching USD 2.99 billion, an increase of 1.53% compared to the same period last year.
Recognizing this potential, the Indonesia Apparel Production Expo (IAPE) returned to Bandung, where it was first launched in 2014. This year, the exhibition takes place from September 17–20, 2025, at the Bandung Convention Centre, showcasing a variety of apparel production machines and equipment, including sewing machines, embroidery machines, digital printers, as well as screen printing and other clothing decoration tools.
Bryan Whildan Arsaha, Chairman of IAPE 2025, emphasized that this exhibition is the largest apparel decoration event in West Java. Its presence is expected to revive optimism amid ongoing challenges such as the flood of cheap imported goods and export tariff policies from other countries, including the United States.
According to Bryan, technological advancements are actually opening up new opportunities, especially in trends like custom printing, print-on-demand, small-scale production, and increased awareness of eco-friendly products. These opportunities are believed to be highly accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of the national economy.
Bandung, as the economic hub of West Java, is still seen as a barometer of the apparel industry. The organization of IAPE 2025 is a key moment to maintain the city’s relevance while strengthening the textile industry at the local, regional, and national levels. In addition to connecting business players with the latest technologies, the exhibition also offers opportunities for participants to build networks, engage in business matching, and gain insights through 12 “Apparel Talk” sessions featuring 25 speakers.
The exhibition is also attended by practitioner communities, suppliers, and experienced distributors, and is expected to create positive synergy within the textile industry ecosystem. The excellent after-sales service provided by exhibitors ensures customer satisfaction. In addition, IAPE 2025 features a range of exciting activities, such as live demos, free distribution of 1,000 t-shirts, and interactive discussions aligned with current apparel business trends.
With its increasingly well-organized execution, IAPE 2025 Bandung not only serves as a reference point for entrepreneurs and industry players, but also attracts fashion designers, distro business owners, online apparel shop owners, academics, and government institutions. This event further reinforces Bandung’s role as a center of innovation and a driving force in the national textile industry.