Planning minister satisfied with growth despite criticism regarding data

Despite the criticism of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) over the BBS data, Planning Minister MA Mannan has expressed his satisfaction over the 5.24 percent GDP growth estimated for the last fiscal year.

In response to the analysis of the CPD, he told The Business Standard on Sunday, "We were anticipating a lower GDP growth. However, the provisional estimate of the BBS has made the government hopeful."

"We are working with our own data and methodology while other organisations are working with their own strategy. That is why the results would be different," said the minister, adding that the government is not worried about the differences.

"As a politician, I always want to see development and positive results. However, the BBS can say what methodology they followed to estimate the growth rate," said the minister.

Criticising the CPD analysis, he said the CPD and some other organisations have a tendency not to accept any datum and analysis provided by the government.

"Can you tell me about a single instance when the CPD agreed with any of our analyses?" asked MA Mannan.