A national consultation, on “Strengthening the BBS R&D Cell: Priorities for Excellence in Data and Research” jointly organised today, 18 May, in Dhaka, by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland, charted a roadmap for a strong Research & Development (R&D) Cell within BBS.

The objective of the workshop was to shape a forward-looking action plan to institutionalize the R&D Cell as a centre of excellence, driving innovation, enhancing statistical capacity, and supporting evidence-based governance.

Calling the R&D Cell a “timely and strategic investment,” Aleya Akter, Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division, stressed the importance of involving young researchers and aligning with global best practices.

Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Director of BBS, noted that the Cell will “enhance methodological integrity and embrace technologies like AI to meet both global and local data needs.”

UNDP’s Senior Economic Advisor Owais Parray said the Cell must become “the engine of innovation—testing new tools and ensuring national statistics remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.”

Anowarul Haq, UNDP’s Assistant Resident Representative, highlighted the Cell’s potential to deliver “high-quality, inclusive, and timely data” and called for stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration.

In closing, BBS Director General Mohammed Mizanur Rahman reaffirmed commitment to establishing a future-ready Cell “anchored in strong partnerships with government, academia, private sector, and development partners.”

The consultation, with over 100 stakeholders, emphasised the need for capacity building, inclusive methods, and strategic collaboration to modernise Bangladesh’s statistical system.