Assisting African countries to improve compilation of basic economic statistics: an outline of the UNSD strategy Vladimir Markhonko United Nations Statistics Division

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/20072  With adoption of the SNA93, Rev.1 and the revised versions of ISIC and CPC UNSD plans to focus more on practical issues relevant to compilation of basic economic statistics including provision of assistance to countries in building up their capability to compile quality basic statistics in the most cost effective way

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/20073  The UNSD work programme on basic economic statistics includes such elements as:  Revision of international recommendations on basic economic statistics – in 2007/2008 recommendations on Industrial Statistics and Distributive Trade Statistics are to be revised and adopted by the UN Statistical Commission  UNSD will prepare various Compilers manuals and other supportive publications including Handbooks on Good Practices in Economic Census, Statistical Business Register, Use of Administrative Data in Economic Statistics  Documenting national practices on various sectoral economic statistics and development of the UNSD knowledge platform to assist country compilers in finding necessary information in the most convenient way  UNSD believes that this focus on basic economic statistics will bring long-term benefits and will support the progressive implementation of the System of National Accounts with increasing scope and coverage of accounts and tables

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/20074 What is basic economic statistics? Broad and narrow approaches to the scope of basic economic statistics Scope of basic economic statistics for the purposes of UNSD assistance programme Your views are very important for us

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/20075 What is basic economic statistics? Criteria for inclusion:  Statistics reflecting market activities of any economic entity  The most detailed statistics collected from the source

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/20076 What is not in the scope of basic economic statistics? Criteria for exclusion:  Statistics about non-market activities  Statistics about entities in public administration and defense (section L of ISIC)  Derived macroeconomic statistics as presented in national accounts  Certain specialized statistics such as government finance statistics

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/20077 For the purpose of this workshop the scope of basic economic statistics INCLUDES market activities of entities classified in ISIC sections:  C – mining and quarrying;  D – manufacturing;  E – electricity, gas and water supply;  F – construction;  G – distributive trade (wholesale and retail);  H – hotels and restaurants;  I – transport, storage and communications;  J – financial intermediation;  K – real estate, renting;  N – health and social work;  O – other community, social and personal services.  Activities of section A (agriculture, hunting, forestry) and B (fishing) only to the extent covered by profit and loss statements and balance sheets.

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/20078 Long term perspective and current activities to assist African countries  Long term perspective Principles of strong national ownership and agreed indicators of performance  The strategic goal of this assistance is to significantly enhance availability and quality of basic economic statistics which are:  Relevant for macroeconomic and sectoral policy making and management  Provides a solid foundation for National Accounts  Meets data requirements of business community

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/20079 Current activities Review and assessment of African country practices in basic economic statistics in order to identify issues which need to be addressed, establish priorities and to formulate an action plan UNSD will cooperate with ECA to build up on already available information and assessments

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/ How UNSD can help?  Participate in assessing needs and establishing priorities  Run several regional workshops on various relevant topics  Prepare customized training materials  Alert other international organizations and involve them in the assistance programme  Facilitate ‘inside region’ training

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/  Major areas for review and assessment: Relevance of statistics in terms of how the disseminated data meet policy needs and other user requirements Adequacy of applied statistical frameworks in the light of international standards/recommendations Effectiveness of existing statistical infrastructure and statistical procedures in terms of cost efficiency

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/  To ensure active country involvement in the assessment process UNSD will conduct in 2007 two regional workshops: The first workshop (in cooperation with Statistics South Africa) will be held in South Africa on July 2007 The second workshop (in cooperation with ECA) will be held in Addis Ababa on October 2007

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/ Objectives of the first workshop  This workshop comprises a rather limited group of countries with a mix of various experiences  It will provide a forum for an exchange of views on the existing practices of selected countries and formulate an initial set of recommendations regarding further actions  The findings and conclusions of the first workshop will be used to set an agenda of the second and larger workshop to be held at ECA Headquarters. The main purpose of the second workshop will be to identify a list of key issues which need to be addressed, advise on priorities and to formulate a set of recommendations regarding further actions

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/ Related UNSD 2007 outputs  A technical report on practices of African countries in basic economic statistics including in economic census and economic surveys  Action plan on improvement of basic economic statistics in Africa

Vladimir Markhonko 12/7/ Thank you for attention  Wish that all of us have a successful workshop and enjoy South Africa!