Statistics needed for better monitoring and managing

The need to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals has significantly increased the demand for good quality and timely data, even at the national levels said Assistant Director of United Nations Statistics Division, Stefan Schweinfest at the inauguration of National Workshop on the organisation of national statistical system and user producer relations for south Asian countries held yesterday in Colombo.

“This has shed some light on the difficulties that many countries still face with producing key national statistics of high quality in a timely and sustainable manner,” he said. “Solid national statistics require resources. However we are also convinced, that those resources are an important investment into the future of a country, as we simply cannot afford to `fly blind’,” he added.

Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Finance and Planning, R.A Jayatissa said the role of statistics in the development of a country is fundamental.

“Better statistical data and improved analysis, while they are clearly not all that is needed, can create the political will for these changes to take place, and are crucial for the process of better measuring, monitoring and managing for development results,” Jayatissa said.

“An effective and efficient national statistical system, providing the data needed to support better policies and to monitor progress, is a crucial component of good governance. Disseminating good quality data that have integrity increases transparency and promotes accountability. It compliments important Government processes, such as budget management and auditing,” he added.

Director General of Department of Census and Statistics, D.B. P. Suranjana Vidyaratne said the United Nations Statistics Division in collaboration with the Department of Census and Statistics of Sri Lanka is organising this workshop. The workshop is aimed at highlighting the role of the national statistical office in general and in particular, its relation to major user groups.

The workshop is attended by about 40 participants from South Asian countries. Among those who will attend the workshop are the heads and senior officials from national statistical offices of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The work shop will conclude on July 24.

(AS)