1. Workshop on the organization of National Statistical Systems and user-producer relations for countries in South Asian” Colombo, Sri Lanka 21-24 July, 2008 Country paper presented By Md. Abul Kashem, Deputy DG Md. Abul Kashem, Deputy DG SM Shawkat Ali, Director Salima Sultana, Deputy Director Salima Sultana, Deputy Director Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Ministry of Planning Bangladesh

2. Introduction: In August 1974, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) was created by Merging four statistical agencies, namely, the Bureau of Statistics, the Bureau ofAgriculture statistics, the Agriculture census Commission and the population census Commission. BBS is the lone national statistical organization (NSO) responsible to collect, compile, disseminate and publish official statistics. In August 1974, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) was created by Merging four statistical agencies, namely, the Bureau of Statistics, the Bureau of Agriculture statistics, the Agriculture census Commission and the population census Commission. BBS is the lone national statistical organization (NSO) responsible to collect, compile, disseminate and publish official statistics.

3. Director General Deputy Director General Director Census Wing Director Computer Wing Director Demography & Health Wing Joint Director FA & MIS Wing Regional Statistical Officer (23 Regions) Upzila Statistical Officer (476 Upzila ) Director National Accounting Wing Director Industry & Labor Wing Director Agriculture Wing Director Training Institute Organizational set up of BBS:

4. Main functions of BBS: (a) To organize and conduct national censuses (b) To organize and conduct statistical surveys (c) To collect, compile, analyze, disseminate and publish statistics of all sectors of the economy for meeting needs of development planning, research and decision making (d) To conduct research and develop standards (e) To compile and publish information on national accounts

5. Improving co-ordination in National Statistical System: Existing ways of improving coordination: 1. Included the members of important public departments, autonomous bodies, research and professional societies, technical, steering and coordination committee on censuses and surveys also the National Statistical Council. 2. For users- Producers interaction, seminar cum expert consultation are held before each of the census and survey and also for the dissemination of the census and survey results.

6. Future Plan: 1. To increase co-ordination among different ministries, agencies, and others arranging more seminars, workshops and like these. 2. To strengthening NSC. 3. To establish offices to all districts (field level) 4. Strengthening capacity building of BBS. Key issues: 1. Lack of adequate manpower of BBS at field level. 1. Lack of adequate manpower of BBS at field level. 2.Absence of active cooperation among the various concerned agencies 2.Absence of active cooperation among the various concerned agencies 3.Lack of logistic and technical facilities of BBS. 3.Lack of logistic and technical facilities of BBS.

7. Autonomy of National Statistical offices: Existing situation: BBS is the only National Statistical Institution responsible for collecting, compiling and disseminating statistical data of all the sectors of Bangladesh economy to meet and provide the data-needs of the users for planning and formulating policies by the government. BBS is the only National Statistical Institution responsible for collecting, compiling and disseminating statistical data of all the sectors of Bangladesh economy to meet and provide the data-needs of the users for planning and formulating policies by the government. Key issues: 1. Biasness of data 1. Biasness of data 2. Undesirable pressure 2. Undesirable pressure 3.More time required 3.More time required

8. How can we increase user engagement? How can we increase user engagement? Existing ways: (1) A well functioning and data based Website. (2) Research oriented and resourceful library. (3) Regular publication of key Statistical reports. (4) Increased cooperation through seminar cum expert consultation are held before each census and survey and also for the dissemination of the census and survey results. (5) BBS working for data archiving of all major censuses and surveys

9. 6.Networking system is used in head quarter for users engagement 7. Citizen charter is existent. Future Plan: Future Plan: (1)Arranging more seminars and workshops, (2)Strengthening data Archive, library, Web site, (3)Strengthening networking in field level, (4)Quality outputs released in a timely manner. (5)Creating statistical cells in important ministries. Key Issues: (1)Financial support (2)Lacking of adequate human resources and logistics support.

10. How useful are Administrative data for Statistical purposes? Existing ways: BBS collects administrative data from Government accounts, custom records on Import and Exports, Forest deportment, Bangladesh Road and Transport Authority, Bangladesh Bank, Agriculture Ministry, Fisheries department, Meteorology and so on. BBS collects administrative data from Government accounts, custom records on Import and Exports, Forest deportment, Bangladesh Road and Transport Authority, Bangladesh Bank, Agriculture Ministry, Fisheries department, Meteorology and so on. Future plan: More usage of these types of data in different surveys. More usage of these types of data in different surveys.

11. Key issues : (1) Incomplete and or inaccurate data and sometimes biased. (2) Some times misreporting of data occurred. (3) Data collection system may not be efficient. (4) Concepts & definitions may not be International standard.

12. Role of National Statistical Offices in Analysis including the provisions of micro data: Existing: Along with presentation of data, BBS analyzes the sample surveys and censuses at unit level data on limited basis. In every census, separate analytical report is also included. Along with presentation of data, BBS analyzes the sample surveys and censuses at unit level data on limited basis. In every census, separate analytical report is also included. Future Plan: Due to increasing demand by the policy makers/users, the organization should plan to analyze micro data on different censuses.

13. Develop thematic core groups in health, environment, gender etc. to build capacity for need-driven analysis of policy planning. Key issues: (1) Need 0f capacity building including in specific areas. (2) Constraint extra resources for separate analysis of micro data. (3) Absence of web-based data repository

14. Adjusting the national Statistical Offices to emerging Statistical issue It is quite challenging issue to provide empirical evidence by producing the temporal trend of climate change. Issue : 1. Need to set up a group of personnel with proper training to disseminate the data with the help of international statistical partner organizations. 2. Regional level resource centre can be set up for appending and analyzing data.