The New Nation - Internet Edition

STAFF REPORTER

Bangladesh Bank Governor Salehuddin Ahmed has laid emphasis on the need for providing accurate statistical data to stop rumours harmful to the country's economic sector.

He has also urged the statisticians to play their vital role through their professionalism so that policymakers can formulate proper policies for the country.

The central bank governor made the call while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a two-day International Conference on Statistical Sciences at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city on Friday.

North South University and Carleton University, Canada have jointly organised the conference.

NSU Vice-Chancellor Dr Hafiz GA Siddiqi chaired the session while Abdul Hannan, Director of BBA Program at NSU, delivered welcome address.

Shamsher Ali, President of Bangladesh Academy of Science, was present at the function as special guest.

Shahjahan Khan, professor of the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, AK Mohammad Ehsanes Saleh, professor emeritus of Carlton University, and MA Awal, chairperson of the Board of Governors of North South University Foundation, also addressed the function.

Giving emphasis on updated data, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said, 'Even in 2008, we have to formulate monetary policy taking the financial year 1995-1996 as our base year.'

Referring to major differences in the opinion polls conducted by various organisations before the parliamentary elections slated for December 29, Shamsher Ali questioned the credibility of the results of such opinion polls.

'If we take data only from Bogra or Gopalganj districts to use them in opinion polls, how it will be international standard,' he said adding that all should apply globally-recognised statistical methods.

Dr Hafiz GA Siddiqi hoped that the outcomes of the conference would help Bangladeshi statisticians and their international colleagues.

Shahjahan Khan said, 'We have no other choice but to use statistics to ensure the effectiveness of any newly innovated drug or to compare among the nations and regions.'

Abdul Hannan said from business to fine arts, statistics is at the core of almost every academic discipline.