Bangladesh’s export data challenges: Towards transparency and harmonisation

Representational image. Photo: TBS

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), authorised under Act No. XII of 2013 is the designated institution responsible for producing, preserving, and publishing official statistics. According to existing legislation, any organisation other than the BBS must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the Bureau prior to producing official statistics.

In Bangladesh, concerns over data transparency have persisted for many years. These issues came to the fore when significant discrepancies were identified between export data compiled by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Bangladesh Bank (BB). The divergence led to a substantial downward revision of export figures, with a reported discrepancy of $13.8 billion for the July–April period of FY24.

Following a request from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Balance of Payments (BoP) data—particularly those relating to exports—was subjected to a comprehensive revision. This process triggered several policy changes concerning the compilation of export data, now jointly prepared by EPB, BB, and BBS, using data generated through the National Board of Revenue's (NBR) ASYCUDA system.

The White Paper Committee on the State of the Bangladesh Economy described such manipulation of data as "the villain of the development narrative." The committee recommended strengthening the independence of data-producing bodies by fostering both political and operational autonomy. Particular emphasis was placed on BBS and other official statistical agencies. 

To enhance integrity and trust, the committee proposed the formation of technical committees comprising independent experts—both data users and assessors—alongside BBS officials. These committees would be tasked with reviewing methodologies and approving data before publication.

In response, the government has introduced two new policies on data dissemination and statistical reporting, empowering the Director General of the BBS to release key economic indicators such as GDP and inflation figures after consulting the newly established technical committees. Additionally, an eight-member expert taskforce has been formed with the aim of improving the transparency, reliability, and accessibility of BBS data. 

This taskforce has been charged with establishing timelines for the release of various data sets and statistical reports, which the BBS will follow. The taskforce is also expected to review existing statistical practices and provide recommendations for improving the institution's data quality and operational transparency. Six technical committees have been created to focus on national accounts, agriculture, industry and labour, demography and health, computing, and census-related matters.

These steps suggest a renewed commitment by the government to address issues in data management and transparency. As part of this broader effort, the Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), in partnership with a development agency, undertook an analysis of Bangladesh's current export data systems. The initiative compared Bangladesh's situation with that of three Asian countries—Malaysia, South Korea, and Vietnam—that have made notable progress in managing export data and making it publicly accessible.

Bangladesh's export data system suffers from a lack of coordination among institutions, resulting in inefficiencies and inconsistencies. There is an urgent need to modernise the infrastructure by adopting international best practices that promote automation, transparency, and collaboration. 

In this regard, Malaysia's integrated uCustoms system, South Korea's AI-driven UNI-PASS platform, and Vietnam's centralised VNACCS/VCIS platform serve as useful models. Each of these countries has leveraged technology to close operational gaps and improve both the accuracy and efficiency of their export data systems.

Currently, the absence of a unified digital platform, coupled with limited public access to trade data and inadequate coordination among EPB, NBR, and BB, significantly hinders progress. A centralised, open-access trade data portal—modelled after South Korea's K-STAT—could provide real-time export statistics and stimulate greater engagement from the private sector. 

Establishing a Centralised Trade Data Hub and implementing ASEAN Single Window (ASW) protocols would help harmonise data sharing among the principal institutions. Furthermore, capacity-building initiatives, particularly training in artificial intelligence and big data analytics, would equip officials with the tools necessary to manage complex datasets effectively.

The systems developed in Malaysia, South Korea, and Vietnam illustrate the transformative potential of technology-driven solutions. Malaysia's Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) oversees export declarations via the uCustoms platform, which is fully compliant with ASW protocols. 

The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) publishes trade statistics in real time, reinforcing public trust. In South Korea, the Korea Customs Service (KCS) manages UNI-PASS, an AI-powered system that automates customs operations and feeds data into the K-STAT platform. 

This enables institutions such as KOTRA and KITA to utilise the data for trade negotiations and global market analysis. Vietnam's General Department of Customs (GDVC) operates the VNACCS/VCIS system, developed with Japanese assistance, to centralise customs data in compliance with ASW standards. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) and VIETRADE use this data to inform policy and promote exports.

In its role as the National Statistics Office, BBS is now mandated to produce unified trade data. It recently gained direct access to NBR's Business Intelligence (BI) system, eliminating manual Excel-based data collection and resolving long-standing issues with data inconsistency. 

By adhering to a consistent methodology, BBS has enhanced accuracy and is advocating for the creation of a single-source repository to reduce fragmentation across institutions. At the same time, EPB is being developed into the principal Certificate, Licence, and Permit (CLP) issuing authority under the National Single Window (NSW) framework. 

As part of this project, a generic application programming interface (API) is being developed to enable real-time data exchange between EPB, BB, and BBS. The use of a common set of 13 CPC codes by EPB and BB has already resolved earlier discrepancies in export calculations. Following the full implementation of the NSW, a dedicated API will connect these agencies with NBR, facilitating seamless data sharing.

Nevertheless, according to IMF recommendations cited in BB's letter to the Ministry of Commerce dated 9 March 2025, BB plans to publish trade statistics using more granular classifications, including 2-digit and 4-digit HS codes and product-wise breakdowns. While this may improve transparency, it risks creating confusion and potentially conflicts with the provisions of the BBS Act 2013. 

Within BB, the Foreign Exchange Department is responsible for handling money laundering and proceeds realisation, while the Statistics Department compiles BoP data. The bank is currently implementing CPC codes and is planning to establish an International Trade Statistics Department, following IMF directives.

The recent export data discrepancies were largely attributed to duplicate shipment entries. In collaboration with NBR, BB worked to resolve the issue. However, persistent challenges remain, such as delays by NBR in implementing dedicated CPC codes for CMT invoices and sample shipments, which are essential for accurate classification. 

In order to institutionalise these improvements, BB has proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EPB, NBR, BBS, and BB. This MoU would establish data-sharing protocols, standardise methodologies, and align data practices with national development objectives.

Despite these efforts, key elements of trade data—such as CPC and HS code definitions—are still not publicly available, hindering transparency and stakeholder compliance. BBS should publish port-wise export statistics and preferential trade data under SAFTA and AFTA agreements, along with non-preferential export data, to provide a comprehensive picture of Bangladesh's trade competitiveness. 

Trade data generated through the ASYCUDA system includes Business Intelligence (BI) reports and Customs Statistics (CS) data, offering detailed breakdowns by HS code, product category, C&F agent, and export type (e.g., EX1 to EX5). However, this information remains scattered across multiple agencies.

In contrast to many countries with centralised trade data systems, Bangladesh's reliance on multiple sources—including EPB, NBR, BBS, and BB—continues to generate confusion among users. Historically, NBR has faced issues with duplication and inconsistent categorisation. Through joint efforts with EPB, these issues have been partially resolved by assigning product-specific codes. 

While NBR handles goods-related export data and BB compiles statistics for services, cross-border e-commerce remains poorly represented in the national dataset. Many analysts rely on the International Trade Centre's (ITC) Trade Map; however, Bangladesh's representation on this platform is based on outdated mirror data from 2015. This reliance on partner-country data undermines the credibility of Bangladesh's global trade statistics. A unified methodology for publishing and compiling trade data is therefore essential.

EPB must also be granted access to import data to support holistic trade analysis. Countries such as Malaysia and South Korea provide open access to both export and import data through national platforms, but in Bangladesh, BBS data remains largely restricted. This hinders transparency and meaningful stakeholder engagement. 

The absence of a centralised data-sharing platform among EPB, NBR, BB, and BBS leads to inconsistent publications, redundant efforts, and mismatched statistics. Variations in CPC and HS code use across agencies, as well as inaccessible explanations of those codes, further complicate classification and compliance.

The implementation of the National Single Window, with APIs connecting all major trade data institutions, could greatly enhance real-time data exchange and reduce redundancies. Emulating the AI-driven platforms and ASEAN Single Window frameworks already adopted in Malaysia and South Korea could position Bangladesh for similar success. 

Establishing a publicly accessible trade data portal, modelled on South Korea's K-STAT, alongside the enforcement of unified CPC and HS code usage and the publication of code definitions on official websites, would significantly enhance transparency. Full implementation of the IMF-recommended classification systems would also help harmonise data practices and provide stakeholders with reliable, timely, and consistent trade statistics.

Bangladesh stands at a pivotal moment. If it can adopt reform, implement global best practices, and establish a truly integrated export data system, it will not only enhance domestic policy-making but also enhance its credibility and competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Bangladesh’s export data system suffers from a lack of coordination among institutions, resulting in inefficiencies and inconsistencies. Photo: TBS

Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO, BUILD-a Public Private Dialogue(PPD) Platform  works for private sector development

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.