The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has taken the initiative to change the base year for calculating the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to make national economic figures more reliable and up-to-date.
Currently, GDP is calculated using FY15 as the base year.
Under the new initiative, GDP estimates will be rebased using the 2025–26 fiscal year as the new benchmark.
Preliminary survey activities for this transition have already begun.
Alongside this, a specialized expert committee has prepared a draft report on a forensic audit of GDP data.
Necessary administrative actions are being taken based on the observations and recommendations outlined in the report.
These updates were shared today, Wednesday, during the first meeting of the National Statistical Advisory Council (NSAC) for FY27.
Held at the NEC Conference Room in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, the meeting was chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.
The meeting noted that the base year change was initiated to ensure reliable and updated data for national account projections. Surveys conducted for the new base year will make it easier to assess the true size and contribution of various economic sectors.
Meanwhile, steps have been taken to amend the Statistics Act, 2013 to align the country's statistical system with international standards.
Based on recommendations from an expert committee, a final amendment proposal is being drafted.
It includes provisions to incorporate the national statistical system, administrative data, big data, and the United Nations' Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.
Progress on formulating the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) 2026–30 was also highlighted at the meeting.
Work is underway to finalize the draft strategy in alignment with the government’s five-year reform and development framework, election manifesto, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Initiatives have also been launched to expand the use of digital technology in data collection.
In BBS field surveys, data is being gathered via tablets and computers using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) method.
These operations are being monitored live from a Network Operations Center dashboard.
Additionally, a master plan has been finalized to establish an Integrated Statistical Data Warehouse to store data from various censuses and surveys on a centralized platform.
To expand access to data for research and policymaking, a Microdata Analysis Lab has been set up at the BBS, and a draft policy has been formulated to simplify data publication and accessibility.
The meeting also reviewed the activities of a technical committee working on sample sizes and market assessments to improve data accuracy when compiling the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Joint efforts have also commenced with the Directorate General of Food to monitor rice market prices and verify data.
