Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-Bangladesh needs quality data availability for research leading to address policy frameworks, said World Bank’s Lead Economist Dr Zahid Hussain on Thursday.

“Availability of data is one major resource for research. Quality of research depends on it. And, BBS can strengthen mechanism for quality data supply,” Dr Zahid Hussain said.

He was addressing a seminar on “Inflation, Output and International Trade” organised by Bangladesh Bank at Banking Fair Bangladesh-2015 held at Bangla Academy in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

Weak and inadequate data always hinder research quality, which ultimately resulting to impinge on policy frameworks of the government and development partners, he said.

He also laid emphasis on intensive work by Finance Division, Bangladesh Bank, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) along with World Bank and IMF to improve research quality for appropriate mapping of overall economic growth targets.

The WB economist also lauds Bangladesh Bank for research initiatives done regularly by its young officials.

Mid-level and junior central bank officials of Bangladesh have presented some seven research papers which have experienced lively debates in favour and against from panelists and ordinary audience at the seminar.

Those papers were on the issues of Price and Income Stability in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Abul Quasem chaired and moderated the seminar.

Former BB economic adviser Habibullah Bahar and Deputy General Manager of BB Md Ezazul Islam spoke at the seminar, among others.

BBN/MI/AI