EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY SECRETARIAT REPORT ON THE MEETING OF THE SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON STATISTICS

Transcription

1 EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY SECRETARIAT REPORT ON THE MEETING OF THE SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON STATISTICS EAST AFRICAN HOTEL ARUSHA, TANZANIA 17 TH - 19 TH NOVEMBER 2010 (Ref No: EAC/SC/60/2010) EAC Secretariat, Arusha, Date of the Report: 19 th November 2010

2 REPORT ON THE EAC SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON STATISTICS AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE 1. Opening of the Meeting 1.1 Introduction In accordance with the EAC calendar of activities, the meeting for the sectoral committee on statistics was convened to consider the progress so far made in the statistics sector. The meeting was attended by Heads of NSOs from the National Statistics Offices, Regional Statistics Training Centres specifically the Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (ISAE), Makerere University, the Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre (EASTC) and Central Banks of the Partner States. Also in attendance were representatives from the Ministries responsible for East African Community Affairs, UNCTAD, PARIS21, and COMESA. M/S Innovex Associates Ltd and the consortium of M/S Danish Management Group and M/S Data Vision (T) Ltd participated in the specific agenda item. The list of participants is attached herein as annex I 1.2 Constitution of the Bureau In accordance with the EAC procedures of conducting meetings, the Partner States elected Mrs. Radegunda Maro from the National Bureau of Statistics, Tanzania, as the chairperson and Mrs. Doreen Ninsiima Kasozi from Uganda Bureau of Statistics, as the rapporteur assisted by the EAC Secretariat. 1.3 Consideration of the Agenda and Work Program The meeting adopted the Agenda as presented herein as Annex II 1

3 1.4 Statement by Chairperson The chairperson highlighted the importance of statistics in the EAC integration agenda. The Chairperson underscored the purpose of the meeting which was intended to deliberate on the progress made by the statistics sector over the past years in the East African Community. She informed the meeting about the EAC Statistics program which mainly focuses on the development of a web based statistics database and harmonization of compilation practices for the different priority statistical indicators. 1.5 Statement by EAC Secretariat The Deputy Secretary General (Planning and Infrastructure) at the EAC Secretariat highlighted the need for statistics as one of the cornerstones on which current and future progress on the integration process can be measured. He reminded the meeting that the EAC entered a fully fledged Customs Union in January 2010 and the implementation of the Common Market in July Preparations to start negotiations for the EAC Monetary Union are already underway. He informed the meeting that the development of timely and reliable statistics is a process that the secretariat has approached through the establishment of a statistics database. The Database will be regularly updated to provide harmonized statistics that are comparable regionally and internationally. A specialized database on trade statistics is also under development. Harmonization of different subject areas is in progress and its success is anchored in the National Statistics Offices in the Partner States. The EAC Secretariat is working closely with Development Partners such as World Bank, UNCTAD, and EUROSTAT among others. In addition, the EAC Secretariat runs joint programmes under the EAC-SADC-COMESA Tripartite Arrangement in the compilation of the Harmonized Consumer Price Index (HCPI) and the improvement of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Statistics. 2

4 The meeting was further informed that the EAC is in the initial stages of developing the Regional Statistics Development Strategy (RSDS) that will be anchored in the National Statistics Development Strategies. The RSDS will be completed in 9 months. 2.0 Joint Communiqué on the Africa Statistics Day The Heads of the National Statistical Offices in the East African Community (EAC) Partner States and the Heads of the Regional Statistics Training Centres issued a joint communiqué on 18 th November 2010 in observance of the Africa Statistics Day. This event was intended to jointly create greater awareness about the role and importance of statistics in the region. The joint communiqué is hereto attached as ANNEX III. Observation The meeting noted the importance of jointly observing the Africa Statistics Day on 18 th November of every year. Recommendations The Sectoral Committee on Statistics recommends to the Coordination Committee to recommend to Council to direct the Secretariat to create a mechanism for a joint communiqué in observance of the Africa Statistics Day every year. 3.0 Consideration of the Report of the Technical Officials 3.1 Consideration of the progress report on the EAC statistics activities The Secretariat presented the progress so far made on the major activities specifically, the establishment and maintenance of a web based statistics database and the program on harmonisation of statistics. 3

5 The presentation highlighted the progress on the annual regional publications that include the EAC Facts and Figures Report and the EAC Trade Report. The priority areas being covered under the harmonization program include: Agricultural Statistics, Foreign Direct Investment Statistics, Monetary and Financial Statistics, Price Statistics, Trade Statistics, ICT Statistics, Balance of Payments Statistics, Government Finance Statistics, National Accounts, Demographic and Social Statistics, Transport and Construction Statistics, Tourism and Environment Statistics. Other areas under coverage in the Regional program are the development of a Regional Statistics Development Strategy, PRS/MDG information system and a regional archiving centre. A detailed presentation is hereto attached as ANNEX IV. In addition the matrix of the status of implementation of previous Council decisions was reviewed and is hereto attached as ANNEX V. Observations The meeting observed: a) The resource constraint that affects the implementation of EAC statistics programs at regional level. b) The need for the NSOs to allocate resources dedicated to regional statistics programs. c) The need to strengthen collaborative efforts with other regional bodies. d) The need for harmonization of compilation practices for statistics. e) The need for capacity building in statistics in the region. f) The need for high frequency data. g) The EASTC and ISAE are benefiting from the AfDB and Inwent resources for capacity building. h) The need for the EAC to assess the in-house statistics technical capacity gaps in the NSOs. i) The need for inclusion of Central Banks, Revenue Authorities in the technical committee on Statistics given the EAC integration process especially with the Customs Union and the progress towards a Monetary Union. j) The need for inclusion of the Regional Statistics Training Centres in the technical committee on Statistics given the statistics capacity gaps in the region. 4

6 Recommendations The Sectoral Committee on Statistics recommends to the Coordination Committee to recommend to Council to: i) Direct the Secretariat to: a) Provide Partner States with the indicative schedule of statistics activities to be undertaken at a regional level to facilitate mainstreaming and budgeting by the National Statistics Offices b) Share the Terms of Reference for the regional expert on BOP and Harmonized CPI with the NSOs of the Partner States. c) Assess the skills gaps in the NSOs and liaise with Regional Statistics Training Centres i.e. Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre, Dar-es-Salaam and the Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics, Makerere University, Kampala to address these gaps. d) Mobilise resources to support the implementation of EAC statistics programmes. e) Liaise with East Afritac to strengthen the compilation of National Accounts and Price Statistics. f) Continue with the implementation of the regional program on statistics harmonisation. g) Continue with the collaborative efforts in statistics under the EAC-SADC- COMESA Tripartite Arrangement. ii) iii) iv) Urge NSOs to cover the costs of their delegates for the upcoming meetings on HCPI, Facts and Figures and BOP statistics in the second half of FY2010/11. In order to reduce the costs of meetings, the process of establishing teleconferencing facilities by the Secretariat should be expedited. Urge the Partner States to provide for resources for the EAC statistics activities and the EAC Secretariat should send annual reminders to the Partner States to allocate the required resources for the EAC statistics activities Urge Partner States to create a mechanism to develop reliable ICT statistics that will facilitate ICT policy makers in the region. In addition, all Partner States should include an ICT module in their upcoming Population and Housing censuses. 5

7 v) Urge NSOs to provide high frequency real sector indicators including Quarterly GDP. vi) Co-opt members from Central Banks, Revenue Authorities and Regional Statistics Training Centres at the technical level of the EAC Sectoral Committee on Statistics. vii) Note that the EAC portal was launched on 18th November 2010 during the meeting on the Committee for statistical matters. 3.2 Consideration of the prototype of the EAC trade statistics database The meeting was informed that the representative of USAID/COMPLETE had presented the prototype of EAC web based trade statistics database to the Technical session. The presentation had highlighted the main components of the website which include; the trade statistics, trade requirements and taxes, import tariffs, export valuations, preferential requirements and transit requirements. The meeting was further informed that the web based database was intended to serve as EAC trade help desk that would facilitate information sharing by policy makers and the private sector. Observation The meeting observed: a) The need to reconcile trade data b) That Kenya had made some efforts in reconciling customs data. Recommendation The Sectoral Committee on Statistics recommends to the Coordination Committee to recommend to Council to note the progress made in development of the EAC trade statistics database. 6

8 3.3 Draft Terms of Reference for the Consultancy Services to extend the EAC statistics data base to Burundi and Rwanda The meeting was informed that the Secretariat had presented the draft Terms of Reference (TORs) for the consultancy on the extension of the EAC statistics database to Rwanda and Burundi to the Technical session. The Draft TORS were presented and adopted by the meeting and are hereto attached as ANNEX VI. Recommendation The Sectoral Committee on Statistics recommends to the Coordination Committee to recommend to Council to adopt the draft Terms of Reference attached as Annex VI. 3.4 Draft Terms of Reference for the Consultancy on the Regional Statistics Development Strategy, The meeting was informed that the Secretariat had presented the draft Terms of Reference (TORs) for the consultancy on the Regional Statistics Development Strategy (RSDS) to the Technical session. The Draft TORS were presented and adopted by the meeting and are hereto attached as ANNEX VII. Recommendation The Sectoral Committee on Statistics recommend to the Coordination Committee to recommend to Council to adopt the draft Terms of Reference attached as Annex VII. 3.5 Consideration of the Final Reports on the Establishment of the EAC Statistics database Phase II 7

9 3.5.1 Report on the consultancy for the development of the application Software for the EAC web based Statistics database The meeting was informed that the representative of M/S Innovex Associates Ltd presented the report on the web based EAC statistics database to the Technical Session. The meeting considered the draft final report and is hereto attached as ANNEX VIII. Observations The meeting observed that: a) The application software should be improved to indicate summary statistics for the data uploaded and validated by every Partner State and at regional level. b) There is need to put in place a sustainability and maintenance plan of the application. c) The different data group categories in the system should be defined under the Meta data component to simplify access and use of the web based database by the users. d) The need for capacity building for the EAC secretariat in the application and use of the EAC statistics database. Recommendations The Sectoral Committee on Statistics recommends to the Coordination Committee to recommend to Council to: i) Direct the Secretariat to: a) Strengthen capacity at the Secretariat by recruiting staff that will be responsible for the maintenance of the EAC statistics data base. b) Request the NSOs to consider seconding staff to the Secretariat to bridge the capacity gaps in the interim term period as the secretariat is being strengthened in the medium term. c) Prepare a draft paper on the model of operation for the secondment arrangement. The NSOs will provide feed back before the next sectoral committee meeting. 8

10 d) Put in place a sustainability and maintenance plan of the application software for the EAC Statistics database. e) Ask the consultant to improve the application software in view of the observations highlighted. f) Ask the consultant to urgently upload all the data that was forwarded to the consultants by the consortium of M/S Danish Management and M/S Data Vision. ii) Adopt the report on the consultancy Report on the consultancy for the establishment of the EAC Statistics Database The meeting was informed that the representatives from the Consortium of M/S Danish Management Group and M/S Data Vision International (T) Ltd presented the final report on the EAC Statistics database Phase II to the Technical Session. The meeting considered the draft final report and is hereto attached as ANNEX IX. Observations The meeting reviewed the report and observed that: a) The report needs to be updated to include the current status in the Partner States, number of indicators which is currently 615 and other comments that were raised to the consultants. b) There is need to indicate the number of R Status indicators compiled by the consortium of M/S Danish Management and M/S Data Vision Versus their status in the handbook of indicators. c) There is need for additional resources to support the National Statistical Systems in the compilation of required regional data with emphasis on data that is not of R status. 9

11 Recommendations The Sectoral Committee on Statistics recommends to the Coordination Committee to recommend to Council to: i) Direct the Secretariat to: a) Ask the consultants to update the draft report in view of the observations highlighted above. b) Ask the consultants to propose alternative mechanisms to service level agreements in ensuring timely submission of data by MDAs in the Partner states. ii) Urge the NSOs in the Partner States in collaboration with the EAC secretariat to adopt a phased approach to meet the data gaps, given the resource constraints. iii) Urge the NSOs to consider the immediate and medium term plans provided in the consultancy report and develop an implementation plan. iv) Urge the NSOs to strengthen the TWGs network, mainstream them in the National Statistical Systems and allocate adequate resources. v) Adopt the report on the consultancy. 3.6 A.O.B FDI statistics in the EAC Partner States The meeting was informed that the representative from UNCTAD had informed the Technical Session about the technical assistance provided by UNCTAD in collecting data on FDI statistics, and activities of Transnational Corporations (TNCs). Observation a) Partner states of the EAC appreciated the advice and technical cooperation provided by UNCTAD in the area of FDI statistics and welcomed the continued technical assistance in harmonizing data on FDI statistics and activities of the TNCs, and in compiling such data at regional level. 10

12 b) Improvement in the compilation of FDI statistics in the region has been a joint effort under the EAC-SADC-COMESA Tripartite Arrangement. Recommendation The Sectoral Committee on Statistics recommends to the Coordination Committee to recommend to Council to direct the Secretariat to solicit the resources necessary for the compilation of the first EAC Investment Report EUROSTAT PROJECTS The meeting was informed that the representative of PARIS21 made a presentation on the activities undertaken by EUROSTAT for the period, to the Technical session. The presentation covered Eurostat Unit D2: International Statistical Cooperation and the SIS section of Unit D2 which deals with Statistical Information Systems to support and promote the following tools ie the ERETES (information system for the production of National Accounts), Essential SNA (handbook targeting beginners countries: fragile states, small islands, etc.), ASTRA (Tool to assess the demand for training in Statistics) and EUROTRACE (information system for the production of External Trade data). EUROSTAT is also developing an essential SNA building the basics handbook which is relevant for least developed countries and micro-states to enable them produce essential tables for minimal SNA implementation. The handbook will also benefit most micro-states (including small islands) that are currently facing problems producing SNA figures. The handbook includes best practices for analysis of basic data to ease the start-up phase of NSOs and will be based on Volume I and II of the SNA Furthermore, the presentation highlighted the Assessment of Statistical Training (ASTRA), the EUROTRACE software that provides assistance in compiling external trade data and the EUROTRACE user group. Observation The meeting noted the EUROSTAT programs for

13 Signed this 19 th day of November 2010 by respective heads of Delegations as below:.. Mrs. Radegunda Maro Director of Statistical Operations National Bureau of Statistics, Tanzania.. Mr. Zachary Mwangi Director Macro Economics Statistics Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.. Mr. Ben Paul Mungyereza Deputy Executive Director, Statistical Production and Development Uganda Bureau of Statistics.. Mr Alphonse Murenzi Research Statistician - Economist National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.. 12

14 Mr Joseph Butoyi Head of Division, Research, Social Statistics and Poverty Monitoring ISTEEBU, Burundi.. 13

15 Annex I List of participants TANZANIA 1. Radegunda H. Maro Director of Statistical Operations National Bureau of Statistics TANZANIA P. O. Box 796 Dar-es-Salaam Tel: /3 Fax: maro@nbs.go.tz 2. Ismail Alubera Ntambwe Advisor Research-DERP Bank of Tanzania TANZANIA Box 2939 Dar-es-Salaam Tel: Fax: iantambwe@hq.bot-tz.org 3. Margareth Minango Statistician Ministry of East African Cooperation TANZANIA Box 9280 Dar-es-Salaam Tel: Fax: mminango@meac.go.tz 4. Valerian Tesha Manager, National Bureau of Statistics TANZANIA P. O. Box 796 Dar-es-Salaam Tel: /3 Fax: vgtesha@nbs.go.tz 14

16 UGANDA 5. Ben Paul Mungyereza Deputy Executive Director, Statistical Production and Development Uganda Bureau of Statistics UGANDA Box 7186, Kampala Tel: Fax: Peter Opio Principal Statistician Uganda Bureau of Statistics UGANDA Box 7186 Kampala Tel: Doreen Ninsiima Kasozi Standards and Methods Officer Uganda Bureau of Statistics UGANDA Box 7186 Kampala Tel: Mary Katarikawe Director, Statistics Department Bank of Uganda UGANDA Box 7120 Kampala Tel: , Fax: Edward Tenywa Senior Economist Bank of Uganda UGANDA Plot 37/45 kampala road Box 7120 Kampala Tel: ,

17 KENYA 10. Zachary Mwangi Chege Director, Macroeconomic Statistics Kenya National Bureau of Statistics KENYA Box Nairobi Tel: Samuel Mbugua Njuru Manager, Macroeconomics Statistics Kenya National Bureau of Statistics KENYA Box Nairobi Tel: Fax: RWANDA 12. Alphonse Murenzi Research Statistician- Economist National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda RWANDA Box 6139 Kigali Tel: Eugene Kajigija Economist, Economic Statistics Division National Bank of Rwanda RWANDA Box 531 Kigali Tel: BURUNDI 14. Joseph Butoyi Head of Division, Research, Social Statistics and Poverty Monitoring ISTEEBU BURUNDI Avenue de l Aviation, B.P.1156 Bujumbura Tel: Fax: j_butoyi@yahoo.fr 16

18 15. Francois Butera Statistician, Trade Statistics ISTEEBU BURUNDI Box 6709 Bujumbura Tel: Fax: EASTC 16. Michael Paul Sindato Ag Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre TANZANIA Box Dar-es-Salaam Tel: Fax: ISAE 17. Agnes M. N. Ssekiboobo Director Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (ISAE) UGANDA Makerere University Box 7062 Kampala Tel: Fax: UNCTAD 18. Astrit Sulstarova Economic Affairs Officer UNCTAD Geneva, SWITZERLAND Av de la Paix, Geneva Tel: Fax:

19 PARIS Gerard Chenais Consultant PARIS 21/ OECD FRANCE 5, Rue st Jacques MESSAC Tel: (33) COMESA 20. Anthony Jude Walakira ADP Expert Eurotrace COMESA Secretariat ZAMBIA Box Lusaka Tel: /32 Fax: CONSULTANTS 21. Martin Kokonya Director M/S Innovex Associates Ltd KENYA Box Nairobi Tel: Annegrete Lausten Consultant M/S Danish Management DENMARK Vestre Kongevej 4-6 DK-8260 VIBY Tel: Anise Sacranie Consultant M/S Danish Management A/s DENMARK Vestre Kongevej VIBY-J, AARHUS Tel:

20 EAC Secretariat 24. Alloys Mutabingwa Deputy Secretary General (Planning and Infrastructure) EAC Secretariat Box 1096 Arusha Tel: /8 Fax: Robert Maate Senior Statistician EAC Secretariat Box 1096 Arusha Tel: Anthony Kamazima Data Analyst EAC Secretariat Box 1096 Arusha Tel: Emilius E. Sasiyo IT Intern EAC Secretariat Box 1096 Arusha Tel:

21 Annex II EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY SECRETARIAT Agenda 1. Opening 2. Joint Communiqué in observance of the Africa Statistics Day 3. Consideration of the report of the Technical Officials 4. AOB 20

22 Annex III EAC SECRETARIAT Joint Communiqué by EAC Heads of National Statistics Offices on the Africa Statistics Day 18 th November 2010 Theme Celebrating the many contributions and achievements of official statistics: Service, Professionalism and Integrity th November is the Africa Statistics Day (ASD). The day is a yearly event aimed at raising awareness of the importance of Statistics in all aspects of the economic and social development of Africa. It serves to advocate for support to the work of Statisticians, Planners and Demographers. The Africa Statistics Day was set aside by the African Ministers responsible for Planning in 1992 to be celebrated each year in order to create greater awareness about the role and importance of statistics to society. This is a day to reflect on the state of play of African statistics development and foster the way forward. During this day, all the stakeholders are rallied towards a common objective. 2. This year s celebration is in line with the World Statistics Day which was celebrated for the first time across the globe on 20 th October 2010 under the theme Celebrating the many contributions and achievements of official statistics: Service, Professionalism and Integrity. 3. To mark this Day, the Chief Executive Officers of the five National Statistical Offices of the East African Community (EAC) Partner States, in close cooperation with the EAC secretariat, and the heads of the regional statistics training centres issue this joint communiqué illustrating the role of official statistics in the community. 21

23 4. Together, anchored in the shared values of Service, Integrity and Professionalism, we join the rest of Africa in celebrating the achievements and recognition of the vital and valued role played by our statistical offices and the entire statistics fraternity in the EAC. 5. Reliable, timely and comparable data are crucial for measuring progress in economic and social development. They allow policy makers from member states and the EAC secretariat level to analyze important trends on numerous issues, such as the pace at which the community is progressing to achieve its integration agenda in the areas of cooperation as well as individual countries progress on the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and Poverty Reduction Strategies. 6. Each Partner state has developed her National Statistics Development Strategy which provides a framework for her National Statistical System. At regional level, the EAC is preparing for the development of the Regional Statistics Development Strategy using the National Statistics Development Strategies as building blocks. 7. As we celebrate the many achievements of statistics in the Community, the EAC has facilitated the harmonization of the conceptual frameworks, definitions and methodologies in a bid to improve comparability of official statistics across Partner States. In addition, the regional framework has enabled exchange of information among Partner States. Regional statistical information can be accessed through the EAC web site which has a dedicated statistics portal This web portal that is a tool for dissemination of regional statistics covering socio-economic sectors is officially launched today the 18 th November, At the EAC level, emphasis is on maintenance of an updated statistics database and harmonization of compilation practices in key sectoral areas that are critical for the EAC integration agenda. These developments are implemented in collaboration with Development Partners and regional bodies such as UNCTAD, EU, FAO, IMF, World Bank, PARIS21 and COMESA. 9. We acknowledge the role played by the regional statistics training centres namely the Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (ISAE) and Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre (EASTC) in statistics capacity development. 10. While EAC has scaled up its statistical activities in support of Partner states increasing demand for services, close working relationship among NSOs and the relevant regional and international organizations remain the key in making a difference in the statistical landscape in the Community. 22

24 11. Despite the many achievements in statistics, it is worth noting that the success of the development of statistics relies upon Partner States. Financial and human resource capacity necessary to access new methodologies and technologies is still weak and uneven among the Partner States. Partner States are therefore called upon to scale up their support in statistical production and use, including allocation of necessary human and financial resources in support of National Statistical Systems activities. 12. Last but not least, we reaffirm our commitment to step up our individual and collective efforts in the implementation of various programmes and activities as outlined in our National Statistics Development Strategies to address the national and regional information needs. 13. Finally, we commend the professional fraternity of official statisticians in the region. The fraternity has worked steadfastly in the past decades in building the Regional Statistical System.. It is a community united to provide high quality, reliable and impartial statistical information for evidence-based policy formulation and decision making. Issued on 18 th November 2010 in Arusha, Tanzania 23

25 Signed: On behalf of the Heads of the National Statistics Offices i. Mrs. Radegunda Maro Director of Statistical Operations National Bureau of Statistics, Tanzania.. ii. Mr. Zachary Mwangi Director Macro Economics Statistics Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.. iii. Mr. Ben Paul Mungyereza Deputy Executive Director, Statistical Production and Development Uganda Bureau of Statistics.. iv. Mr. Alphonse Murenzi Research Statistician - Economist National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.. v. Mr. Joseph Butoyi Head of Division, Research, Social Statistics and Poverty Monitoring ISTEEBU, Burundi.. 24

26 Heads of the Regional Statistics Training Centres vi. vii. Mrs. Agnes Ssekiboobo Director, Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics Makerere University, Kampala.. Mr. Michael Paul Sindato Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre, Dar-es-Salaam.. 25

27 Annex IV Progress in the statistics sector in the EAC region Background The need for Statistics for planning, monitoring and evaluation is on the increase globally, given that the world is currently in the information age. Trends indicate that the demand for data in implementation of most programs and projects is now paramount. Regional Economic Communities are emphasizing use of statistics and many in Africa are remodeling their Statistics offices. Statistics have become a basis for decision making in many organizations. The EAC started a fully fledged Customs Union in January 2010 and implementation of the Common Market in July Preparations to start the negotiations of the EAC Monetary Union are in high gear and negotiations are planned to start January 2011 since all Partner States have submitted their negotiating teams to the Secretariat. These teams include representation from the National Statistics offices. This indicates the importance of statistics in the EAC integration process. This is further emphasized in the EAC Development Strategy, , that highlights the critical need for timely, reliable and comparable statistics in the region for planning, monitoring and evaluation of EAC programs and projects. Therefore the Secretariat considers statistics as one of the corner-stones on which the integration process is anchored. The development of timely and reliable statistics is a process that the secretariat has continued to approach through two major angles, specifically the establishment and maintenance of an updated statistics data base and a program to harmonize statistics in order to have regionally and internationally comparable statistics 26

28 i. Maintenance of an updated Statistics Database The secretariat is ensuring availability of updated regional statistics through three programs: a) EAC Facts and Figures Report The EAC Facts and Figures report presents the basic statistics at a glance of the EAC region. The report is annually published and covers the major socioeconomic indicators that were identified through a consultative process with the Partner States. This is currently serving as the major data set whose variables are the ones that have been expanded into the broader statistics data base. The publication of the facts and figures report 2009 was completed and the secretariat will soon be starting on the 2010 report in the third quarter of FY 2010/11. The delay in publishing the data is due inadequate funding to the secretariat. b) EAC Statistics Database The process of establishing the EAC Statistics database is in final stages. The database underwent live testing and is currently being monitored for its performance. Details on this will be discussed later since this forms part of the agenda of this meeting. c) EAC Trade Report The EAC Trade report presents facts and an interpretation of trade flow in the region. The report includes interpretation of trade statistical data and is used to enlighten on the progress so far achieved on the implementation of the EAC Customs Union. The 2009 trade report was completed and the first draft for 2010 report was completed. A final publication is planned to be completed in the third quarter of 2010/11 FY. The delay has been due to late disbursement of funds by the development partners who facilitate the activity, ii. Harmonization of Statistics Currently, the Statistics in the EAC Partner States are not comparable due to divergences in methods of compilation and computation of indices. There is need to harmonize statistical methodologies and tools as one of the milestones towards having comparable data both internationally and regionally. 27

29 The Secretariat has continued to pursue the harmonization program of key priority areas that were identified and the implementation of this program is at different stages since the process is being executed in phases. The priority areas include: 1) Agricultural Statistics Many countries in the EAC and Africa as a whole have insufficient data on agriculture. The Secretariat developed a strategy to harmonise agricultural statistics with a major focus on the 2010 round of agricultural censuses and negotiations are towards completion with the FAO to implement a program termed RegionSTAT EAC which will be a framework though which harmonization of data in this subject area will be done. This program will contribute to the EAC regional integration and effective implementation of the EAC Food Security Action Plan through availability and access to relevant, harmonized and reliable data on food and agriculture within a sustainable agricultural statistics system code names RegionSTAT EAC. This will be achieved through: Development of food security indicators and monitoring system in the EAC Partner States (including Supply Utilization Accounts and Food Balance Sheet, deriving food security indicators from Household surveys) and producers price monitoring system. Strengthening of technical capacity of national staff in five EAC countries and at EAC Secretariat through training on concepts, definition and advanced methodologies for data collection. Ensuring better integration of Agriculture into National Statistical Systems in Burundi and Kenya through development of Agricultural Sector Strategic Plans for Statistics and their integration into National Strategy for development of Statistics. Establishment of RegionSTAT EAC which is an integrated national food and agriculture statistical information systems ensuring harmonization of national data and metadata collections for analysis and policy making. The benefits for food and agriculture statistics include: This will be a one point of dissemination and thematically linked statistical collections which provides easier access for policy makers and reducing duplication and conflicting data 28

30 Easier access to the statistical evidence base for policy makers and researchers and for monitoring and evaluation on EAC Food Security system. Currently CountrySTAT which was piloted in 17 African countries including four EAC Partner States does not cover Burundi but Burundi will now be included in RegionSTAT EAC. Recommendation The Secretariat should finalize the RegionSTAT EAC program with the FAO 2) Foreign Direct Investment Statistics The scarcity, unreliability and inconsistency in existing investment data reporting systems prevents policy makers from formulating appropriate policies and strategies regarding investment. Regionally comparable and harmonized data are a precondition for analyzing the process of globalization in all its dimensions including the impact on sustainable development and its condition to technology transfer. Creation of up to date, comparable and accurate information on FDI in developing economies will enable governments to make sound decisions. Availability of comparable statistics will help to measure and evaluate the impact of FDIs on development. The process of harmonizing FDI statistics is currently being implemented through the joint collaboration of the EAC COMESA and UNCTAD that is anchored on the tripartite arrangement of the EAC- COMESA- SADC. Workshops were undertaken in all Partner States and the agreed methods were adopted in the annual enterprise surveys for Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. The survey has not yet taken place in Burundi. It is planned that the EAC annual investment report be undertaken next year and the secretariat is soliciting for resources to produce the report. The EAC Secretariat and the Partner States, therefore appreciates the technical assistance and cooperation provided by the UNCTAD in compiling data on FDI statistics and activities of TNCs. 29

31 Recommendation i) Partner States welcome UNCTAD in the continuation collaboration and assistance in harmonizing data on FDI statistics and activities of TNCs and in compiling such data at the regional level and production of the first EAC annual investment report. ii) Direct the Secretariat to solicit for resources necessary for the compilation of the EAC annual investment report 3) Monetary and Financial Statistics The Secretariat with the Partner States harmonized a set of regional indicators on MFS and these are regularly being compiled and posted on the statistics portal on the EAC web site. The final stages of generating regional aggregates and historical data series is planned for second half of the FY 2010/11 since the EAC central banks have set aside resources to finalize this program. The overall aim is to help countries adopt international standards, codes and best practices in the production and dissemination of macroeconomic and financial statistics. Harmonisation helped to identify and develop common indices computed using common methodologies. Recommendation The National Statistics Offices of the Partner States are urged to put in place the resources necessary for the implementation of the program 4) Price Statistics The Secretariat is in the initial stages of developing a Harmonized Consumer Price Index (HCPI) that will facilitate the fixing of the monetary policy during the implementation of the Monetary Union. Through the EAC-COMESA-SADC tripartite arrangement, progress has been made in harmonizing CPI compilation practices. The EAC is planning to generate the EAC HCPI by end of FY2010/11 since the EAC Central banks have provided resources to facilitate a short term expert to undertake the exercise. 30

32 The National Statistics Offices are expected to facilitate their participants in this program and the Central banks have agreed to facilitate the participation of their staff in addition to the regional expert. Draft Terms of Reference for the regional expert have been developed and are undergoing review by the Central Banks. Recommendation The National Statistics Offices of the Partner States are urged to put in place the resources necessary for the implementation of the program 5) Trade Statistics With the implementation of a fully fledged EAC customs Union, demand for more robust and timely trade statistics has increased. The Secretariat in collaboration with USAID/COMPETE is in the process of developing a web abased trade database modeled along the EU help desk. The program on trade statistics hinges on harmonization and dissemination of trade statistics and include: Development and maintenance of robust web trade statistics database Harmonization of key compilation practices in trade statistics in order to enhance data comparison among EAC Partner States which will support the operations of the Customs Union. Build capacities of relevant agencies in the Partner States and EAC Secretariat Reconciliation of trade data among the EAC Partner States; and Creation of a platform for comprehensive exchange of experiences and sharing the regional capacities among EAC Partner States. So far a prototype of the web based trade statistics database has been developed and was considered by the national experts from the Partner states. Details on this prototype will be discussed later since this forms part of the agenda for this meeting. 31

33 Recommendation Direct the Secretariat to finalize the completion of the web based trade database in collaboration with USAID/COMPETE and solicit for the resources necessary for the implementation of the program 6) ICT Statistics As one of the fasted growing areas, the ICT sector needs to be brought on board and create a mechanism to develop reliable ICT statistics that will facilitate policy makers in decision making about ICTs development in the region. A regional set of indicators that require harmonization were developed but due to inadequate funding not much progress has been made to finalize the process. 7) Balance of Payment Statements Statistics The implementation of a Monetary Union requires generation of a regional Balance of Payments Statistics. However, the available BOP statistics are not comparable. The EAC is planning to harmonize Balance of Payments data starting January 2011 and the EAC Central banks have provided resources to facilitate a short term expert to undertake the exercise. The National Statistics Offices are expected to facilitate their participants in this one year program. The Central banks have agreed to facilitate the participation of their staff in addition to the regional expert. Draft Terms of Reference for the regional expert have been developed and are undergoing review by the Central Banks. Recommendation The National Statistics Offices of the Partner States are urged to put in place the resources necessary for the implementation of the program 8) Government Finance Statistics Government Finance Statistics (GFS) are critical for the operations of the Common Market and Monetary Union as GFS are important for the EAC macro economic convergence. 32

34 The Secretariat is negotiating with the World Bank to undertake a program on GFS and negotiations are expected to be completed by end of December, Recommendation Direct the secretariat to fast track the negotiations with World Bank and solicit for the resources necessary for the implementation of the program 9) National Accounts With the need to implement the Common Market and facilitate the Monetary Union, National accounts data are critical to monitor the convergence of the EAC economies in relation with the macro economic convergence criteria. It therefore provides a basis from which many regional, national and international plans and policies are developed. In the EAC partner States, the presentation, contents and methodologies used in the compilation of national accounts are not harmonized with most Partner States partially implementing the System of national accounts A program on harmonization in this subject was developed but resources have not yet been identified to implement the program. 10) Demographic and Social statistics Demographic and social statistics are crucial in monitoring the progress made on achieving MDGs and PRS such as measuring quality of life. The program on harmonization of statistics in this sector did not progress much due to inadequate resources allocated to the Statistics department. The program targets the involvement of all stakeholders including legislators at regional and national levels to help in advocacy campaigns for regularly carrying out the decennial activity, among others. In addition, the program aims at: a) Building capacity of the compilers of demographic statistics; b) Ensure adoption of harmonized methods and tools of data compilation in a bid to improve data quality and produce comparable statistics in the region; c) Providing a platform for sharing experiences by the relevant institutions (mainly national statistics offices) in the Partner States that are involved in compilation of demographic statistics; 33

35 d) Serving as a platform for sharing regional expertise(human resource) in this subject and other equipments; e) Having a common census year in the 2020 round of population and housing censuses The other areas of interest for harmonization and development include: 11) Transport and Construction Statistics Construction statistics present data about the developments in the infrastructure subsector. They capture data on building, transport net work and other forms of construction. These are important in measuring quality of living and standard of communication. Very little progress has been made in the harmonization of statistics in this area in the EAC. 12) Tourism Statistics Since the EAC is currently packaging the EAC as a single tourist destination, it is critical that tourism statistics are harmonized and developed. Not much efforts have been made in this area. 13) Environment Statistics Climate change is one of the topical issues the EAC have picked on. It is therefore critical that environment statistics are harmonized and developed. However, not much efforts have been made in this area. III. Development of a Regional Statistics Development Plan (RSDP) This is a master plan for the development of the statistics sector in the EAC. It will spell out the programmes to be executed following the EAC Development Strategy It will present the strategic direction of statistics sub sector and develop a framework to be adopted by the EAC Council of Ministers. The Master plan will among others spell out the issues related to: Expansion of the Statistics Division; Relationship of the EAC secretariat Statistics Unit with the Partner State National Statistics Offices; Publication and utilization of Statistics in the EAC; 34

36 Management of Statistics given the growing demand as we move towards implementation of the Common Market and Monetary Union. In collaboration with PARIS21, the Secretariat developed a road map for the development of the EAC RSDP planned for next year. The Secretariat is also working closely with the World Bank to finalize on a proposal for the World bank to facilitate the program. The decision on the proposal is expected by the end of the December, a) Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Information Management System. There is an increased demand for update on the progress on poverty reduction and human development strategies. Availability of information on PRS/MDGs facilitate economic policy tracking and enhance accountability. The specific objectives include: Enhancing knowledge on the concept of poverty; Achieving harmonization, consistency and coordination of systems of data collection, processing and analysis at all levels; Adopting core indicators to accurately measure progress made in the area of poverty reduction and human development; Gauging outcomes, effects and impact of interventions periodically; Easing access by all stakeholders to reliable information; and Strengthening the monitoring and evaluation capacities of national bodies. However, due to limited resources, not much progress has been made on this Endeavour by the secretariat b) Development of a Regional Archiving Centre. Generally, data collection is very expensive and once collected should be stored properly while taking in mind an easy retrieval mechanism. The data collected by Partner States needs to be well stored with a back up in a safe and secure place. This could later transform into a data source for online uploading of semi processed socio-economic data for further analysis by policy analysts, researchers and academicians. Thus developing a one stop centre for EAC statistical data.. However, due to limited resources, not much progress has been made on this Endeavour by the secretariat 35

37 Recommendation Direct Secretariat to solicit for necessary resources to facilitate the development of a regional archiving centre, a management information system for the Millennium Development Goals, Tourism Statistics, Environment statistics, National Accounts Statistics, ICT Statistics, Demographic and social statistics, Transport and construction statistics. c) Human resources to the statistics department Following the recommendation of the second Sectoral Committee on Statistics, the 18th Council referred the matter of staffing of the Statistics Division to the next meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee for consideration. The Finance administration Committee pended all recruitments to wait the outcomes of the EAC institution review process following the implementation of the EAC Common Market. Recommendation The secretariat should continue to use the services of short term experts on secondment basis from the partner States. 36

38 ANNEX V Matrix of the status of implementation of previous Council decisions reviewed Council decision Status of implementation Comments/Recommendations I. Provision of timely, reliable and accurate statistics: a) The presentation of the EAC facts and Figures Report should be divided into two parts with the first report presenting the descriptive statistics and trend analysis. The second report presenting an in-depth analysis highlighting policy implications of the statistics. The Secretariat in consultation with Partner States should put in place a mechanism towards operationalising the recommended format. The Secretariat should assist Partner States in the creation of a more robust method of dissemination and utilization of the statistics reports in collaboration with the Ministries responsible for EAC Affairs. The improved format is planned to be implemented in the 2010 Facts and Figure Report that is planned to be compiled in third quarter of 2010/11 Financial year. The statistics reports are currently published on the EAC web site statistics portal. Statistics reports i.e. the Facts and Figures, MFS reports etc There is need for the Ministries of the East African Affairs in the Partner States to link their Ministry websites to the EAC web based statistics data base. In addition to the hard copies, CDs should also be provided in the dissemination kits. b) The Research Unit at the Secretariat should assist Partner States in the interpretation of statistics for planning and decision making. c) The compilation of the annual publication for the trade report and the Facts and Figures report should be done within four months after the calendar year and provisional data may be made available to the Secretariat in order to fast track the publication of these reports. The process of recruiting a research officer is planned to be undertaken after Council s approval of the report on the EAC institutional review. The Secretariat experienced budget difficulties due to late disbursement of funds from the development partners and delayed the publication of the report in FY2010/11. The use of mailing lists should also be considered to ensure that information is received on time. The secretariat should assist in the interpretation of regional statistics for planning and decision making. The Secretariat experienced budget difficulties due to late disbursement of funds from the development partners to produce the 2010 reports. These will be completed in the 3 rd quarter of the FY2010/11. The trade reports will be 37