Use of National Strategies for the Development of Statistics Meeting between the Regional Commissions and ISWGNA on the SNA implementation Strategy 21 February, 2009

What is an NSDS? A guide to the development of a statistical system Coordination and sequencing Consistency with national priorities and the needs of data users A sequenced set of actions to be carried out over a period of 4 to 5 years

Key characteristics Integrated into national development and poverty reduction policies; Takes into account national, regional, and international data needs; Encompasses production, dissemination, analysis, and use of data and related issues; Covers all the main statistical production units, and serves as a framework for sectors; Serves as coordinating framework for international and bilateral assistance; Integrates existing activities, and draws on the past experience

Why a strategic approach? Resources are limited, and priorities have to be made Piecemeal approach is not cost effective To ensure that all areas are covered To promote alignment with national policy priorities and plans

The NSDS Process Five phases Launching the process (road map) Assessment Developing the vision An implementation plan Managing implementation and monitoring progress

NSDS: Timetable The timetable depends on a number of factors: Political validation What is already in place Need for sufficient time for effective consultation and review Important to link preparation with national processes and budget timetables

NSDS: Actors The actors Who decides? The national authorities. Who leads the work? A central team assisted by other teams. Who advises? Specialists and users. Who provides technical and financial support? International and regional co-operation

NSDS: Content Assessment and appraisal of existing outputs Strategic vision Includes institutional development, framework Implementation plan Costed, realistic, prioritized, timetabled, flexible

NSDS: A comprehensive approach Statistical system Frameworks (regulatory, codes of practice) Statistical infrastructure Methods Coordination & prioritization mechanisms Products (“national statistics”) Statistical agencies Business or corporate plans Short-term work plans

NSDSs and the SNA (1) Data development requirements for national accounts should be an integral part of the NSDS Improving the national accounts, including implementing 2008 SNA, requires more and better source data Infrastructure for data collection—business registers and sampling frameworks Processing of source data Frequency of surveys Coverage of surveys Consistency with international guidelines and classification

NSDSs and the SNA (2) Do NSDSs cover national accounts? Some do some don’t Lack of emphasis on economic statistics Priorities not reflecting the needs of data users Not fully developed - lack of specificities, including sequencing, costing, and human resource implications

NSDSs and the SNA (3) A need for reviewing A need for “updating” NSDSs Data requirements for improving the national accounts New features in the 2008 SNA The NSDSs with regards to SNA developments Related source data A need for “updating” NSDSs SNA development needs Source data developments

NSDSs and the SNA (4) Role of regional commissions Coordinate the review of data needs and existing NSDSs Coordinate development of national and regional implementation plans for national accounts, including implementation of 2008 SNA

How the World Bank can help Finance for NSDSs Trust fund to support preparation STATCAP financing for implementation New Statistics for Results Facility to meet financing gaps Support for National Accounts Working through ISWGNA Working with partners on the ICP – 2005 and 2011 Monitoring statistical capacity Bulletin Board Working with partners – IMF, PARIS21, RDBs