B Mirror Report: The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the national statistical organisation, is moving to establish an Integrated Statistical Data Warehouse (ISDW) aimed at modernising the country’s official data system.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the National Statistical Office, improve data quality and usability, and support faster, evidence-based government decision-making. The project is being funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

According to the development plan, a pilot phase is scheduled for the third and fourth quarters of 2027, while full operational control is expected to be handed over to BBS by 2028.

The master plan describes the ISDW as a major milestone in upgrading Bangladesh’s statistical infrastructure. It said the system will support BBS’s digital transformation by enabling advanced data analytics, geospatial integration, and improved access to microdata for research and policy purposes.

Currently, BBS produces official statistics through various surveys and censuses, but its data system remains fragmented, with inconsistent formats, limited metadata, and largely manual processes that restrict efficient policy use.

The proposed ISDW will address these limitations by creating a unified data warehouse and analytics platform. It will standardise classifications and metadata to improve consistency, comparability, and overall data quality, while also expanding controlled access to microdata for policymakers, planners, and researchers.

The system will further allow integration of administrative records and selected big data sources into official statistical production.

Alongside technological upgrades, the project will introduce stronger data governance, security, and compliance frameworks, as well as capacity-building programmes to ensure long-term sustainability.

Extensive consultations were held with BBS divisions, the Statistics and Informatics Division (SID), relevant ministries, and development partners during the preparation of the master plan. A BBS-led operational structure will be formed during implementation, supported by sustainable budgeting measures.

Once launched, the system will be closely monitored to ensure stable performance, backed by continuous staff training and a dedicated maintenance framework.

Designed as a secure, interoperable, and standards-based platform, the ISDW will integrate data from censuses, surveys, administrative systems, geospatial databases, and emerging data sources. Long-term sustainability and national ownership will be ensured through incorporation into government structures and budgets, along with a planned exit strategy for KOICA support.