Speakers at a workshop on Wednesday said global indexes, prepared by different international organisations, often do not reflect Bangladesh's actual position mainly due to unavailability of latest data.
Keeping this in view, they suggested updating websites of the government and other allied agencies with latest development-related data, so that they are properly mirrored in the indexes.
However, improving business environment, ensuring good governance, and free flow of information are crucial for enhancing the country's image abroad, they added.
They made the observations at a national workshop, jointly organised by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the Access to information (a2i) programme, at BBS auditorium in the capital.
Planning Minister M A Mannan attended the workshop's inaugural ceremony as the chief guest, with the Statistics and Informatics Division Secretary Saurendra Nath Chakrabhartty in the chair.
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Md. Nojibur Rahman, Principal Coordinator (SDGs) at the PMO Md Abul Kalam Azad, and Member (senior secretary) of the General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission Dr. Shamsul Alam were the special guests.
Resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh Sudipto Mukerjee attended the programme as the guest of honour.
In his speech, M A Mannan said patriots always want to enhance the country's image among other nations, but the improvement of Bangladesh is not truly reflected in many indexes.
"Various achievements of the country are not duly presented. As a result, our position is not properly reflected in different indexes."
The minister, however, said despite various development activities there are still many poor people in the country.
Irregularities and injustice, committed by some vested quarters, are the major reasons for the situation, he added.
Dr. Shamsul Alam underscored the need for proper reporting of information, ensuring their accuracy, and understanding methodologies of the index-preparing agencies.
"We cannot hide any piece of information, as we are living in the information superhighway."
Improvement in the indexes is not possible without improvement in real life, he noted.
Bangladesh's current position in the World Bank's 'Ease of Doing Business' index is 176th out of 190 countries.
"We need to upgrade the position, and stay within the first 100 countries by the year 2023 and within 75 by 2024 to achieve the development goals."
To this effect, he underscored the need for ensuring good governance, improving business environment, timely completion of development projects, free flow of information, strict enforcement of existing laws, and strengthening social cohesion.
[email protected]
