GRI, EDB forge long-term partnership to drive sustainable trade

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) have entered into a strategic multi-year cooperation agreement to strengthen sustainability and impact reporting among Sri Lankan exporters and enhance their competitiveness in global markets.

The agreement was signed at the EDB on September 7 by GRI Chief Standards Officer Bastian Buck and EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Mangala Wijesinghe.

The partnership will build the capacity of Sri Lankan businesses and EDB officials to understand and report their economic, environmental and social impacts in line with internationally recognised GRI Standards. Special attention will be given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through tailored programmes, reporting clinics and digital learning initiatives.

The collaboration is also expected to expand sustainable reporting practices beyond the textile and apparel sector, where GRI and EDB have previously worked together, to other priority export industries.

It will facilitate technical knowledge exchange and greater alignment between GRI Standards and national and international disclosure frameworks, including Sri Lanka’s National Green Reporting System and IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards.

Wijesinghe said the agreement would help Sri Lankan exporters respond to evolving global market requirements while demonstrating credible, transparent and authentic sustainability practices.

Aligned with the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030, the partnership is expected to provide a long-term institutional framework for integrating sustainability into business practices and strengthening Sri Lankan exporters’ participation in global value chains.

Source: Daily News