“Woven Standards: Sri Lanka’s Apparel Industry Threads Ethics into Export”
Against the historic backdrop of the Galle Face Hotel, a new thread was drawn through the fabric of Sri Lanka’s export ambitions — one stitched with responsibility, resilience, and global vision. The International Trade Centre (ITC), with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland, convened a full-day workshop on Social Compliance under the Global Textiles and Clothing Programme (GTEX II), charting a forward-facing course for the nation’s apparel sector.
Driven by the strategic partnership of Switzerland’s SECO, Sweden’s SIDA, and Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board (EDB), the workshop gathered thought leaders, exporters, and compliance architects to dissect the evolving demands of global markets and craft practical pathways toward sustainability and ethical excellence.
Voices such as Mr. Matthias Knappe (ITC), Mr. Olivier Praz (Embassy of Switzerland), Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe (EDB), and Mr. Yohan Lawrence (JAAF) framed compliance not as a bureaucratic barrier but as a defining strength — vital for global competitiveness and enduring trust.
From detailed insights into frameworks like SLCP, WRAP, and ETI, to lived experiences shared by industry frontrunners MAS Holdings and Brandix, the workshop unfolded as a masterclass in bridging global standards with Sri Lankan enterprise. Interactive labs and hands-on sessions empowered participants to not only understand, but to implement — equipping them with the tools to elevate internal systems and supply chain governance.
The launch of the Global Textile Academy introduced a new digital frontier for continuous learning, signaling that the journey to compliance is not a destination, but a discipline.
As Mr. Knappe and Mr. Roshan Peries closed the day with reflections on inclusive growth and decent work, the message was clear: the future of Sri Lankan apparel is not just about speed or scale — it’s about being ethically stitched, globally aligned, and proudly local.
