RAJSHAHI, Feb 25, 2023 (BSS) - State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam has said acceptance of data and findings largely depended on competency of statisticians.

He also said a smart government must be formed to build a smart Bangladesh and time-based data and information is very important for building a smart government.

The state minister came up with the observation while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 60th founding anniversary and third reunion celebration of the Department of Statistics at Rajshahi University (RU) at its Kazi Nazrul Islam auditorium today as chief guest.

Highlighting the importance of statistics, the state minister said data and findings are the main ingredients of planning that couldn't be full-filled without statistics. 

State Minister Shamsul Alam said Bangladesh has become the middle-income country as per the 2010-21 vision and it has become self-reliant in rice in 2013-14. Bangladesh attained the target of developing country two times in 2018 and 2021 and that will be announced formally in 2026.

State Minister Dr Alam said the 2021-2041 vision has been formulated under the direction and guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to uplift Bangladesh to a developed and smart country.

"We have delta plan 2100 to face the adverse impact of climate change," he added.

With RU Vice-chancellor Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar in the chair, the opening ceremony was addressed, among others, by Pro-vice-chancellor Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam.