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 across Sri Lanka’s export ecosystem and enhance the global competitiveness of Sri Lankan exporters.
The agreement was signed at the EDB on 7 September 2026 by Mr. Bastian Buck, Chief Standards Officer of GRI, and Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive of EDB.
The partnership will strengthen the capacity of Sri Lankan businesses and EDB officials to understand and report their economic, environmental and social impacts in accordance with internationally recognized GRI Standards. Particular emphasis will be placed on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through tailored interventions, reporting clinics and digital learning opportunities to help them respond to increasing sustainability requirements within international value chains.
Building on previous collaboration in the Textile and Apparel sector, the partnership will promote sustainable reporting practices across additional priority export sectors. It will also facilitate technical knowledge exchange and greater alignment between GRI Standards and relevant national and global disclosure frameworks, including Sri Lanka’s National Green Reporting System (NGRS) and IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards.
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and CEO of EDB, highlighted that the agreement marks an important step in enabling Sri Lankan exporters to respond to evolving global market requirements and demonstrate credible, transparent and authentic sustainability practices.
Aligned with Sri Lanka’s National Export Development Plan 2026–2030, the agreement will provide a foundation for long-term institutional cooperation to support exporters in integrating sustainability into their business practices and strengthening their participation in global value chains.
