Dhaka, 04 Jan – Experts on Thursday expressed concerned over the data of the Bangladesh bureau of statistic (BBS) as there is lack of consistency.“BBS turned into a lame institution due to lack of necessary posts of the officials and statistician,” alleged Prime Minister’s economic adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman while addressing at seminar on “Ribbing and Revision of GDP: Bangladesh Perspective” organized by planning ministry at NEC conference room at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city.
Former governor of Bangladesh Bank. Farash Uddin, former adviser to the caretaker government. Mirza Mohammad Azizul Islam addressed the seminar. Member of general economics division (GED) Prof. Shamsul Alam and Planning Secretary Ziaul Islam presided over the programme. Professor Wahid Uddin Mahmud and S. Osmani, professor of the UK’s Ulster University presented the keynote paper.
Adviser to the Prime Minister raised question about the quality of data available in BBS.
“It is quite impossible to move into developing country by 2021 and developed country by 2041 with out quality information and data,” he added.
Dr Mashiur Rahman said the BBS has to be more active and timely. It is necessary to remove the BBS error enhancing the quality of the statistics. “Invest in investment and informal sector will be brought into account.”
Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said that growth can be increased even without increasing investment. In this case, productivity will be increased.
“To improve efficiency, there will be huge changes in education sector. If the productivity and efficiency increase, it will be possible to take 8 per cent of the GDP growth by 2019.”
The minister said, the increase of growth will not ensure not increasing investment but increasing productivity.
“But in order to achieve the desired growth, there will be radical changes in education system. Regarding robotics and technology studies, the field should be increased.”
Mustafa Kamal said that changes in GDP base year need to be changed. Because now a lot of new topics, including technology, Bkash, mobile banking, have been added to the economy. These things should be included as GDP. – Staff Reporter
