Dhaka, Nov 25, 2025 (BSS) - Experts at a seminar today underscored the need for timely completion of the Post Enumeration Check (PEC), the establishment of transparent guidelines for enumerators, and the proper evaluation of training expenditure to ensure the quality of data.
They stressed that the verification process should be completed within 90 days or less, advising that delays exceeding six months increase the disparity between the collected data and reality.

They made the remarks at the seminar held at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) building in the city during the publication ceremony of the PEC report for the Fourth Economic Census 2024.

 The PEC report was jointly prepared by BIDS and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

Aleya Akter, Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division (SID) and chief guest at the event, emphasized the urgency of developing a standard, published, and transparent guideline for enumerator engagement. 

This guideline is essential to ensure that all enumerators are recruited and trained under the same criteria before commencing field work, she added.

She further stated that the expenditure on proper training should be treated as an investment, not merely a cost. 

Additionally, she noted that more work is needed to help the public understand how providing information assists long-term national development plans, given that people often focus on immediate profit.

Planning Secretary SM Shakil Akter as the special guest remarked that the Economic Census is significantly more complex and sensitive than a general census, particularly due to the involvement of business establishments, temporary installations, and constantly changing economic activities.

He noted that a slight deviation in coverage is normal, but international standards dictate that any such deviation must remain within 5 percent to be deemed acceptable.

The importance of selecting the right institution to conduct the PEC was also highlighted, requiring demonstrated accuracy, technical skills, and credibility. In this regard, the Planning Secretary praised the PEC work executed by BIDS.

The speakers also praised the capability of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) for successfully completing the laborious and complex Economic Census operations.
Dr. Mohammad Yunus, Research Director at BIDS, presented the report. The PEC covered 352 sample areas selected from all eight divisions of the country. The division-wise sample areas were Dhaka (100), Chattogram (63), Rajshahi (48), Khulna (42), Rangpur (40), Mymensingh (24), Barishal (19), and Sylhet (16).

Another key recommendation mentioned was the potential for more accurate results concerning temporary institutions if alternative analysis options, such as a ‘with and without’ comparison, were utilized.