Task force proposes converting BBS into independent Statistics Bangladesh

The Statistics Task Force has proposed transforming the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) into Statistics Bangladesh to make it an independent body.

It has also suggested appointing a Chief Statistician from the open market to lead the organisation.

The task force further recommended the formation of a Statistics Council. However, despite long-standing demands for an independent Statistics Commission, this was not included in the task force’s recommendations.

On Monday, the task force, headed by Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, submitted its report to Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud. Other members were also present during the handover.

After the meeting at the Ministry of Planning, Task Force Head Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters that a proposal has been made to form a Statistics Council, with the Chief Statistician serving as its head.

In response to a question about whether there will be an independent commission, he said it is challenging to answer such a one-dimensional question. “This was not part of the beginning of our work. We have submitted a bold, timely, and realistic reform package through this report,” he added.

Hossain Zillur Rahman also said the task force was formed to improve the quality and transparency of Bangladesh’s statistics. “For this, we have highlighted how the institutional processes that need to be ensured can be specifically structured,” he explained.

The independent task force has called for bold reforms to transform BBS into Statistics Bangladesh.

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