Dubbed Improving Transparency for Sustainable Business (ITSB), the new initiative is a collaborative effort involving the GRI South Asia, the Sustainable Development Council (SDC) of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), and the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) of Sri Lanka.
The ITSB programme emphasises capacity building for textile and apparel companies in South Asia, including both large multinationals and small and medium enterprises.
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Supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the programme will provide training on the GRI Standards.
It will enable companies to report on sustainability issues such as labour practices, climate impact, energy consumption, economic contributions, and waste management.
The initiative will also engage with a range of stakeholders including regulators, investors, industry bodies, worker groups, media outlets, and academic institutions.
GRI South Asia senior manager Rahul Singh said: “ITSB is designed to elevate sustainability practices and transparency across South Asia’s textile and apparel sector, positioning it for long-term resilience, profitability, and global leadership. Through this multi-year initiative, we aim to foster a dynamic and inclusive platform that brings together key stakeholders across Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel sector.
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By GlobalData“Adopting the GRI Standards – the world’s most widely used sustainability standards, does not only elevate corporate transparency but also strengthens investor confidence, international positioning, and regulatory preparedness—contributing to a more transparent and future-ready economy.”
The ITSB aligns with Sri Lanka’s national strategy for fostering inclusive and sustainable business practices.
This launch comes at a time when international buyers are focusing more on traceability and ethical sourcing in response to new regulations like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
The inaugural session of the ITSB programme was held on 16 July 2025 at Courtyard by Marriott Colombo.
Activities during the session included a preview of the draft GRI Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard (2025), workshops on materiality assessment and stakeholder engagement, along with discussions on integrating ESG into broader business strategies.
The initiative is expected to extend to India and Bangladesh later in the year.
Apparel constitutes more than 40% of Sri Lanka’s total exports and provides employment to more than 350,000 individuals.
According to the latest data from the US Office of Apparel and Textiles (OTEXA), US apparel import volumes from Sri Lanka surged by 26.4% in April.
