Rajiv Dey:
Minister in charge of Finance and Planning, Mr. Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, M.P. today held a meeting with officials of Statistics and Information Management Department and Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). State Minister of Planning, Mr. Jonayed Saki, Secretary of Statistics and Information Management Department, Mr. Md. Firoz Sarkar, Acting Director General of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Md. Mir Hossain, senior officials of Statistics and Information Management Department and BBS were present during the meeting.
In the meeting, the Minister emphasized on increasing the capacity of Statistics and Information Management Department and BBS and increasing the independence and professionalism of data publication, so that public trust in government data increases. He directed the officials to take initiatives to update the organizational structure and appointment rules of BBS with a view to improving the career prospects and professionalism of BBS officials. He urged the government officials to increase the research opportunities of the Bureau of Statistics and ensure maximum and best use of government statistics in all government policy-making activities. The Minister directed the Statistics Department to take initiatives to establish a Statistics Academy.
After the exchange of views, the Honorable Minister formally inaugurated the Microdata Analysis Lab set up at the BBS Head Office, Agargaon, Dhaka. The Microdata Analysis Lab is a secure onsite research facility of BBS, through which authorized students, researchers, economists, policymakers and other users will get the opportunity to analyze anonymous microdata of national censuses and surveys. The lab will play an important role in research, theses, policy analysis, program evaluation and evidence-based planning.
At the inauguration ceremony, the Honorable Minister said, one of the foundations of proper planning and national development is reliable data. The Microdata Analysis Lab will provide researchers and policymakers with an opportunity for in-depth analysis in a safe and controlled environment, which will create opportunities for researchers and students to research and analyze government data in new ways. BBS regularly produces a large amount of microdata through conducting national censuses and surveys. Through this lab, that data can be used in a more secure, orderly and research-friendly way. Keeping this goal in mind – knowledge from data, development from knowledge – the Minister expressed hope that the BBS Microdata Analysis Lab will make an important contribution to building a data-based Bangladesh. He thanked BBS for creating an opportunity for the public to use government data by establishing this lab.
At the event, Honorable State Minister of Planning, Mr. Jonayed Saki, mentioned that the Microdata Analysis Lab of BBS will open a new door of possibilities for students, researchers, economists and policymakers. He believes that through this, the use of national data in research and policy formulation will be more effective.
Secretary of the Statistics and Information Management Department, Mr. Md. Firoz Sarkar, emphasized on ensuring access to microdata and respondent confidentiality in a coordinated manner. He mentioned that this lab of BBS will work as an effective model of safe data use, responsible research and institutional accountability.
Views: 2
