Strengthening Statistical Capacity in Bangladesh

It is acknowledged by all that good statistics is a prerequisite for informed decision making and monitoring of national progress. The Government of Bangladesh is also keen to strengthen national statistical capacity to support the design, monitoring and evaluation of national development plans, including Poverty Reduction Strategies and Millennium Development Goals.

The World Bank is supporting a government plan to strengthen Bangladesh’s statistical capacity in three stages. First, data quality would be enhanced quickly in a few priority areas through technical improvements in data collection, compilation and dissemination.  

The government, working closely with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, has recently made significant progress in identifying areas where measurable improvements can be achieved within 12 to 18 months, without requiring either legislative or institutional change.

The second stage, which could be implemented in parallel, would involve preparation of a national statistical master plan for improving the statistical system.

In the third stage, implementation of the plan might be supported by an investment lending project, which would also have to address institutional issues, including an adequate legal mandate for official statistics, the status of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and mechanisms for effective coordination.

This phase-wise approach will eventually improve supply of current data needs, and enhance capacity to respond to new demands. In addition, the new plan envisages developing a framework of coordination among data producers, data providers and data users.

Contacts
Rezwan Alam (8802) 815-9015, Ext 4242    
 E-mail:   salam3@worldbank.org

For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit  :
www.worldbank.org.bd  & www.worldbank.org

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