1. Manufacturing Statistics Country Presentation Swaziland Presented by Thembinkosi Shabalala at the Workshop on Manufactuing Statistics 4 – 7 May, Lusaka, Zambia

2. INTRODUCTION The economy of Swaziland is heavily dependent on exports Largely based on agricultural production and agro-processing manufacturing industries. Agriculture constitutes 10 per cent of GDP Manufacturing constitutes 34.8% of GDP

3. COVERAGE Manufacturing industries range from small factories engaged in light industry to large ones endowed with the latest technology and producing highly sophisticated goods which, given the small size of the domestic market, are destined mainly for the export market. The major export commodities produced are wood products, soft drink concentrates, canned fruits, sugar, and mineral products. However, new medium and large scale enterprises, which tend to be more labour intensive has ventured into yarn/textile production and wheat milling.

4. DATA COVERAGE The national accounts section conducts a business census every year. This is a census of all formal activities. This is a postal census with follow-ups via phone and site visits. The census is used by the national accounts The business census covers both large and small scale formal businesses Informal businesses are not covered. The report on the census of industries is produced which has a detailed analysis of industries.

5. DATA COVERAGE The national accounts section has developed a central business register of all formal establishments as a basis for the business census. The central business register is computerised and was set up for the national accounts and is maintained by the section. Updates are taken from the registrar of companies, the revenue department, the telephone directory and the Ministry of Enterprise and Employment. These updates take place before the mailing out of questionnaires in order to incorporate new establishments.

6. DATA COLLECTION Questionnaires are sent by post during October – November each year Follow-ups are done from March to May each year. The section concentrates on the larger businesses which are the major contributors to national accounts.

7. DETAIL LEVEL The reports produced from the manufacturing census are of the Census of industries reports and the latest report contains tables on industrial data from 1996 to 2000. The classification used is the International Standard of Industrial Classification revision 3 (ISIC rev 3).

8. DETAIL LEVEL Report is mainly about Manufacturing Industries Also includes Mining and Electricity and water. Questionnaires are directed at the establishment level of businesses.

9. DETAIL LEVEL Enterprises which are engaged in more than one activity are asked to submit separate forms relating to these separated activities whenever possible. If not then classified under the industrial classification of their major activity.

10. DETAIL LEVEL Data published to 4 digits Given the size of some of the sectors, there has been a recommendation to combine some sectors. Covers 800 establishments

11. DETAIL LEVEL The employment figures differ from that reported in the employment statistics because we use average employment Employment usually under estimated Currently data for 2004 is being analysed for a report for 2001 to 2004.

12. DATA COLLECTION CHALLENGES The smaller businesses need to be continuously sensitized on the importance of the business survey. The response rate is very poor because most of the smaller businesses do not return the questionnaires. Businesses that have closed are detected and add to the high non response rate

13. COMPILATION AND DISSEMINATION CHALLENGES Computer program occasionally breaks down Need to simplify compilation Data editing and verification takes time Time lag due to the use of financial records Inadequate funding

14. Thank you