The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is launching the country’s fourth Economic Census from December 10 to 26, aiming to provide an updated understanding of the structural changes in the economy. 

The census will utilize digital tools, marking the first fully paperless operation of its kind, with 95,000 skilled enumerators equipped with 140,000 tablets.

This year's census will cover approximately 1.22 crore economic households, including small and mobile units such as street vendors. The focus areas include income, expenditure, profitability, workforce classifications, and ICT integration in production processes. 

Data will also be collected on foreign nationals working in Bangladesh and digital business operations.

The census, operating under the slogan "Orthonoitik Shumarite Tottho Din, Notun Bangladesh Binirmane Ongsho Nin," will address social and environmental aspects and provide insights into non-farm economic activities. 

A comprehensive post-enumeration check will be conducted to ensure accuracy.

Md Mahbub Hossain, Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division, emphasized the census's transparency, facilitated by geographic information systems (GIS) and geo-coding for mapping and accessibility. Enumerators will each cover 150 units, including newly established businesses.

The BBS has divided the country into 13 divisions, 130 districts, and over 95,000 enumeration areas for smooth execution. This initiative, with a budget of Tk 579 crore, is expected to deliver its preliminary report by January 2025.

The Economic Census, conducted every decade, last occurred in 2013. Officials are optimistic that the new features, including data on e-commerce and updated institutional information, will provide valuable insights for policymakers and industrial development.

BDST: 1705 HRS, DEC 09, 2024
SMS