Guyana’s National Summary Data Page officially launched
DPI Guyana, Wednesday, December 18, 2019
The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Bank of Guyana and the Bureau of Statistics, has officially launched Guyana’s National Summary Data Page.
The page creates easy access to various categories of data published by the three agencies.
The initiative is part of the Enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS) which promoted by the International Monetary Fund. It will be used for the dissemination of Guyana’s vital macroeconomic data.
Minister of Finance, Hon. Winston Jordan at the launch of Guyana’s National Summary Data Page
Speaking at Wednesday’s launch, Minister of Finance, Hon. Winston Jordan said the project forms part of the administration’s commitment towards transparency and accountability.
He added that Guyana was at a pivotal stage in its history with first oil imminent and the significant benefits for the country.
But the minister noted that the industry was not without its challenges and the capacities of regulatory agencies must be continuously enhanced to maintain high levels of transparency and accountability.
“In this regard, the Coalition Government has consistently advanced initiatives that are designed to improve the quality and quantity of national data, Ministry Jordan said.
He added that it is for this reason the administration ensured that the Bureau has a permanent secretariat for the first time since its operation in 1957 and its board reconstituted with its first non-ministerial chairman.
Further, the administration has supported several critical surveys including, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the Labour Force Survey and the Household Budget Survey. The National Strategy for the Development of Statistics was also launched to allow government agencies to share information.
As it relates to data, since 2015, almost 1,000 public servants have benefitted from training in monitoring and evaluation.
“And so, in a time when we face heightening demand for accountability and when accurate date is integral to forecasting outcomes, especially in the oil and gas sector, the launch of the e-GDDS today, is most welcome,” Min. Jordan said.
The Bureau’s Chief Statistician Lennox Benjamin said the data page would be hosted on their website and that the data will be generated in keeping with international norms, classification and standards.
He added that the initiative came at an opportune time given the global interest in Guyana currently.