Published: 12:03 AM, 26 August 2026
CPD clarifies data discrepancy in report on factory closures
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Tuesday clarified a data discrepancy in its recent presentation on factory closures, saying the information was taken from a media report whose original source had not been verified.
The clarification came after Dhaka-based digital investigative news outlet
The Dissent raised questions about a figure presented at a media dialogue titled "First Six Months of the New Government: An Economic Review" held on August 24, reports UNB.
In slide 11 of the presentation, under the industry and trade section, CPD stated that 95 factories in three major industrial zones - Gazipur, Savar-Ashulia and Narayanganj-Narsingdi - were completely shut down between January and August 2026, leaving 61,881 people unemployed.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday evening, the organisation said the research methodology section of its presentation noted that the study drew on various primary and secondary sources, including parliamentary and ministerial statements, the national budget, media reports, press releases and a report titled "180 Days of the People's Government."
CPD said the factory-related figure was taken from a report published on the Dhaka Tribune website on August 22, 2026. The newspaper subsequently corrected the report at 4:34pm on August 25.
The research team said it did not verify the original source of the information while preparing the presentation.
It later found that the figures of 95 factory closures and 61,881 job losses were originally published by the Prothom Alo on March 5, 2025, in a report referring to factory closures during the preceding seven months.
However, the Dhaka Tribune report subsequently reproduced the same figures while changing the timeframe to January-August 2026. CPD then used that report as a source in its presentation, resulting in the figures being incorrectly attributed to the 2026 period.
"We regret the inadvertent confusion caused by the erroneous information," CPD said.
The think tank, however, said its concerns over the state of the industrial sector were not unfounded, noting that various business organisations and their leaders have recently raised concerns over factory closures.
"Although there was a discrepancy in the information presented, our concern regarding this aspect of the economy is not without basis," it said, stressing that the issue requires special attention from the government.
The CPD research team said it will exercise greater caution in the future to avoid such factual discrepancies.
It also thanked The Dissent for bringing the matter to its attention and appreciated the outlet's professionalism.
