Desk Report:
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has stated that accurate and reliable data constitutes the most significant asset on a government’s balance sheet. Future government policies and plans can only be formulated effectively when based on precise data. Data should not be kept secret; rather, it must be accessible to all. By ensuring transparency in data and information, the economy can be made people-oriented and credible.
He made these remarks while serving as the chief guest at a discussion meeting held on Sunday (November 8, 2026) at the Statistics Building auditorium, organized to mark ‘National Statistics Day 2026.’
The Finance Minister emphasized that, alongside the democratization of politics, the government aims to ensure the ‘democratization of the economy.’ He noted that political democracy becomes meaningless if the economy is not people-oriented and democratic.
Highlighting the current government’s clear stance, he stated that the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has been granted full autonomy in its operations. Instead of maintaining data secrecy, an open platform is being established through an ‘open data’ system, allowing for the correction of errors based on feedback received. He stressed that data transparency and integrity are paramount; manipulating data is akin to deceiving oneself. There can be no compromise when it comes to data accuracy and earning public trust.
He further explained that the purpose of conducting a ‘forensic audit’ is not to attack past initiatives, but to delve deep into issues to uncover the root causes of problems. Eliminating inequality and conducting precise research is impossible without accurate data. He underscored the need to maximize the use of digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) in implementation processes. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the ‘One Citizen, One Wallet, One Card’ initiative. He stated that the manner in which the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has aligned its operations with the development activities and programs of the current government is commendable. The Minister expressed his gratitude to all officials and staff of the BBS and the Statistics and Informatics Division—including those working in the field—for their responsible contributions. He assured that positive steps would be taken to address the existing manpower shortages within the BBS and urged everyone to work together, in the interest of the nation and its people, to build a data-driven Bangladesh.
The event was presided over by Md. Firoz Sarkar, Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division. Special guests in attendance included Zahir Uddin Swapan, Political Advisor to the Prime Minister (with the rank of Minister) and Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Planning; Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Finance and Planning (with the rank of Minister); and Md. Junaid Abdur Rahim Saki, State Minister for Planning.
