The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is preparing to roll out its landmark multi-year initiative — Improving Transparency for Sustainable Business (ITSB) — in Bangladesh. Building on the momentum in South Asia, this initiative is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and designed to accelerate sustainability practices and transparency across Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector, a global powerhouse and a vital contributor to the country’s economy.
According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Bangladesh remains the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made garments (RMG), after China. The sector employs millions of workers and contributes over 80% of the country’s export earnings, underscoring its critical role in Bangladesh’s economy and global trade. As international buyers increasingly prioritize responsible sourcing and robust ESG disclosures, sustainability has become a prerequisite for maintaining and expanding global market access. ITSB aims to position Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector as a leader in transparency, ethical practices, and long-term resilience.
A Multi-Stakeholder Platform for Sustainable Growth
In Bangladesh, ITSB will serve as a dynamic multi-stakeholder platform engaging businesses, industry associations, worker representatives, regulators, investors, and data users. Over the next three years (2025–2027), the initiative will focus on strengthening capacities for impact reporting on environmental, social, and economic issues — including climate change, circularity, waste management, biodiversity, diversity and inclusion, employment conditions, health and safety practices, and tax-related impacts.
The initiative will be driven through a consultative, participatory approach designed to create regional and national communities of practice. This will enable peer learning, knowledge exchange, and deeper understanding of sustainability reporting, ensuring that Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector remains competitive and attractive to international markets.
Global Consultation on GRI’s New Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard
Alongside the ITSB initiative, the latest draft GRI Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard is open for global public consultation until 28 September 2025. This draft standard—developed under the oversight of the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB)—aims to set a global benchmark for sustainability reporting in the sector. By actively participating, Bangladesh’s stakeholders can ensure their insights and experiences are reflected in the final Standard, amplifying the country’s voice in shaping global transparency and disclosure practices.
Link to the project: GRI – Sector Standard Project for Textiles and Apparel
Partnership with Sustainability Nexus (SusNex)
To deliver outreach, training, and sector-wide engagement in Bangladesh, GRI has partnered with Sustainability Nexus (SusNex) as the Training and Outreach Partner under the ITSB initiative. SusNex will play a pivotal role in co-developing and delivering capacity-building sessions — including workshops, webinars, consultations, and dialogues — to ensure that organizations across the textile and apparel value chain benefit from the program.
Benefits for Bangladesh’s Textile and Apparel Sector
ITSB offers tangible benefits to a broad spectrum of stakeholders in Bangladesh:
- Businesses and Exporters will gain access to tools, training, and global frameworks to improve ESG disclosures and meet international buyer expectations.
- Industry Associations will strengthen collective action and advocacy on sustainability, supporting their members in adopting best practices.
- Investors and Financial Institutions will benefit from consistent, credible ESG data to inform responsible investment and lending decisions.
- Worker Associations and Trade Unions will see enhanced transparency on employment practices, health and safety standards, and inclusion, fostering trust and accountability.
- Regulators and Policymakers will gain access to standardized sustainability data to inform evidence-based policymaking and improve governance.
Positioning Bangladesh for Global Leadership
By drawing on lessons from both global best practices and the experiences of leading Bangladesh-based organizations, ITSB will create a two-way learning platform tailored to the country’s context. This approach will help the textile and apparel sector showcase its achievements to the world while contributing locally grounded insights to the global sustainability agenda. The initiative signals Bangladesh’s readiness to embrace the next stage of sustainability and disclosures, ensuring stronger economic growth, resilient supply chains, and an enhanced reputation in global markets.
