Data Dissemination and Communication in Bangladesh Md. Zahidul Hoque Sardar Joint Director Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

Outline  Statistical System of Bangladesh  Identification and sources of data  Data supply and improvement scenario in Bangladesh  Timeliness and quality of the data  Identification of users and uses of statistical data  Statistical data communication to users  Consultative support to users in data interpretation and its application its application  Application of UN Fundamental Principle of Official Statistics and IMF’s SDDS/GDDS Statistics and IMF’s SDDS/GDDS  National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS) in Bangladesh  Concluding remarks

 Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is the National Statistical Organisation(NSO) of Bangladesh. BBS has seven functional wings to discharge its activities namely:  Census Wing  Agriculture Wing  Demography and Health Wing  National Accounting Wing  Industry and Labour Wing  Computer Wing  Statistical Staff Training Institute Wing  To provide policy decisions National Statistical Council (NSC) with 6 technical committees are providing policy support and technical backstopping to BBS. Statistical system of Bangladesh

 Recently under the conceptual framework of MAP Bangladesh has started work on preparation of roadmap for introduction of NSDS in Bangladesh with the technical assistance of World Bank and PARIS21.  Present Government has taken an initiative to develop Bangladesh into a Digital Bangladesh by Statistical system of Bangladesh Contd.

Identification and sources of data: Three national censuses, Nine regular surveys, dozen of ad-hoc surveys and administrative records are the main sources of official statistics in Bangladesh.

Regular surveys are: Regular surveys are:  Household Income and Expenditure survey (HIES)  Sample Vital Registration System (SVRS)  Sample Vital Registration System (SVRS)  Labor Force survey (LFS)  Labor Force survey (LFS)  Agriculture Cluster Surveys  Agriculture Cluster Surveys  Child Nutrition Survey  Child Nutrition Survey  Survey of Manufacturing Industries (SMI)  Survey of Manufacturing Industries (SMI)  Annual Establishment and Institutions survey  Annual Establishment and Institutions survey  Multiple indicator cluster survey and  Multiple indicator cluster survey and  LiteracyAssessment Survey  Literacy Assessment Survey It also compiles export and import statistics from shipping documents, GDP and consumer price index (CPI) on regular basis. It also compiles export and import statistics from shipping documents, GDP and consumer price index (CPI) on regular basis. Identification and sources of data:

 A few years back NSO was very strict in supply of raw data to the users  General practice was to supply published report and CD  Raw Data was made available on request  Now, Key findings are hosted in website and also in CD  As per present practice raw data (unit level data) are supplied to the users on payment  The raw dataset also include questionnaire, instruction manual and data format  In case of request made by the researchers and students, data is generally supplied in a reduced rate or free of cost  BBS is now planning for wide and easy access of data to the relevant users  Developed dynamic web along Digital Data Network (DDN) data communication facilities with 6 Divisional RSO offices Data supply and improvement scenario in Bangladesh

 BBS is trying to strengthen its capacity with technical assistance of World Bank and PARIS21  Re-organization of BBS with new field offices in 64 districts and 7 administrative divisions is approved by the government  Development of human resources through degree programs and specialized training are progressing  Introduction of IMF’s recommended GDDS and SDDS initiated standardization of statistical methods are progressing  In order to enhance the capacity of the data collectors periodic trainings are imparted for the data collectors prior to any surveys Capability and capacity of the data collectors

 Core surveys-such as HIES data collected in the field level are entered in the Laptop Computers instantly  Data are instantly sent to Head Quarter by from field  HIES Preliminary Report was ready within 2 months after the Survey is completed  A complete Report of HIES was disseminated simultaneously by publication and at website. (Contd.)

 In the proposed NSDS efforts are taken to identify the potential users of statistics and data needs for MDGs, SFYP, Perspective Plan etc  The NSC along with the technical committees have been re-organized to help BBS in identification of users and uses of statistical data  Consultative meetings with stakeholders are being organized for identification of users and uses of statistical data  Senior officials of BBS and the Statistics and Informatics Division are sent to different countries to see their models and developments  User-producer dialogue and meeting arranged regularly for data needs of the users Identification of users and uses of statistical data

 For statistical data communication physical network has been established  Three sophisticated ICT labs have been developed for training and to assist in development of ICT based statistical system in BBS  BBS has a rich printing press at its main building  The current website of BBS is widely been used by the data users  The findings of all case surveys and derived (such as inflation, CPI, GDP etc.) are uploaded in the web site on regular basis  BBS started to arrange press conference in each month to release CPI and discuss other important issues  More interactions with Electronic and Print media are being pursued Statistical data communication to users

 A section for users support along with library facility are introduced in BBS  It is functioning well and users are given all sorts of help by this section  It is to be furnished more in future Consultative support to users in data interpretation and its application

 BBS has been preparing NSDS and a series of consultation with users of data have been done at national and sub national levels  For long term development of BBS feedbacks have been taken from data users and other stakeholders  Planning template for short term and long term activities with budget provision has been prepared for all subject matter wings of BBS  The draft of NSDS is being prepared now and will be finalised after a national workshop National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS) in Bangladesh.

 This workshop is an excellent opportunity to share Bangladesh experience with other countries of the world  It is hoped that the workshop will be very useful for Bangladesh  I take the privilege to thank UNSD and NSCB for arranging this type of fruitful workshop.  Please visit the website Concluding remarks: