Cambodia Statistical System and its Modernization Production Process International Association for Official Statistics Conference “Meeting the demands of a Changing World” on 8-10 October 2014 in Da Nang, Vietnam Cambodia Statistical System and its Modernization Production Process Sok Kosal, Deputy Director General ,National Institute of Statistics Ministry of Planning, Cambodia

Out line of Presentation Historical context of statistics in Cambodia National Statistical System in Cambodia National Statistical Structure Rule and Obligation Resources and Capability Development Coordination and Cooperation Some prerequisites of Statistics Modernization And Production Process Key Challenges Lesson Learnt Future directions

Historical context of statistics in Cambodia Cambodia was protectorate by French between the years 1863 to 1953. The central statistics office was established in 1948 called Department of Statistics. Since then, the Department has undergone many transformations due to political, economic and social circumstances. 1948-1953 it was titled the Statistics Department of Cambodia 1953 -1963 it was named the Department of Statistics and Economic Study 1963-1975 it was known as the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Research under the Ministry of Planning 1975-1979 it was dismantled in the Khmer Rouge Regime DOS restarted with new building with 21 young staff in 1979 1979-1981 (DOS) was under the Ministry of Finance DOS was upgraded to NIS in 1994 under the Ministry of Planning

Cambodia’s National Statistical System National Statistical System (NSS) of Cambodia is highly decentralized system Present NSS is defined by the Statistical Law, “integrated statistics data and national statistical programmes; statistical organizations and units within line ministries and institutions of the Royal Government of Cambodia; and their statistical staff and infrastructure” The system is a two tiered structure consisted of: National Institute of Statistics (NIS) – the official statistical policy-making body and coordinating, and empowered to collect statistics under the Statistics Law 27 Line Ministries/Institutions and National Bank of Cambodia – collect statistics as by-products of administrative systems or/and jointly conduct setoral surveys with NIS

Cambodia’s NSS: Selected Key Line Ministries National Institute of Statistics (NIS) MoEYS (EMIS Office) Ministry of Health (Bureau of Health Statistics) Ministry of Tourism (Statistics Office) National Bank of Cambodia (Statistics Department) MAFF (Bureau of Agricultural Statistics) Produces education statistics Produces agricultural statistics Produces health statistics Produces money and banking statistics Produces tourism statistics Statistical policy-making, coordinating and produces general purpose statistics

National Statistical Structure The NIS is headed by a Director General who is assisted by Deputy Directors General with eight Departments, NIS currently employed 342 staffs at central level and 380 staffs at local level. Analysis Department and Statistical Policies and Cooperation Economic Statistics Department Social Statistics Department Demographic Statistics, Census and Survey Department, ICT Department Statistical Standard and Analysis Department National Account Department Sub national Statistics (New)

National Statistical Structure (Con’t) Organization Diagram of NIS

Rule and Obligation NIS is the official national statistical institution under MOP ( Art. 17 of Statistics Law) NIS is responsible ( Art. 11 of Statistics Law) : Conducting censuses (Population, Agriculture, Economic) Conducting surveys to collect basic statistics (Cambodia Socio-economic survey (CSES), demographic and health survey (DHS), demographic surveys, labor force survey, etc.) Utilizing administrative data sources Compiling national accounts and prices indices, as well as economic, environment and socio-demographic indicators NIS is responsible Publishing and disseminating relative priorities various statistics and related surveys/data sources in consultation with major data users and producers

Resources There are three main building equipped with good office equipment The central level staff of NIS has increased considerably to 342 at central level and 380 at the local level. The improvement in the quality of the NIS staff has continued. The number of staff with at least a master’s degree was 34 in 2011. There have been significant increases TA and financing provided to NIS by development partner such as Government of Japan, JICA, UNFPA, SIDA Sweden, UNICEF, USAID and other donors described above. Statistical Master Plan 2008-2015 pointed that financing from the RGC will be significant The SMP sets out a longer term, prioritized plan for Cambodia's national statistical system The budget has reached 6 million US$ in 2010 (2011 is the Economic Census year). The Government budget for NIS increased from 0.25 million US$ in 1999 to 2.1 million US$ in 2010 (including local offices, statistical bureaus) . Donors budget for NIS increased from 0.7 million US$ to 4.0 million US$ including consultancies during the same period.

Capability Development Extremely difficult to build the capacity for NIS to carry out statistical activities in the country, with rebuilding with small young group staff and need for comprehensive, reliable and timely data for policy making and better planning was very much felt. The efforts were started to build the capacity of NIS local ownership and other stakeholders in the statistical system of Cambodia. First, has recognized the value of local ownership Second, International capacity through development cooperation from the development partners such ADB, UNDP, WB, UNFPA, JICA, UNICEF, Sida, UNESCAP, UNSD, FAO and others international development counterpart. Various kinds of methodologies in data collection, processing, analysing, disseminating from administrative and surveys were undertaken with assistance from International Agencies. SMP were made in subsequent years to assess the requirements for strengthening the statistical system in Cambodia long-term, prioritized plan for national statistical system (NSS) for the period 2006 to 2015 Financing and technical requirements have been agreed, through extensive consultations, between line ministries and institutions and their development partners.

Coordination and Cooperation The National Institute of Statistics, under the Ministry of Planning, shall be responsible for making official statistical policies in establishing an integrated National Statistical System, encompassing all designated official statistics and statistical organizational units within ministries and institutions. The Royal Government shall issue a Sub-Decree on the operation of the National Statistical System and designated official statistics. Coordination in activities of statistical development, including training, with the ministries and institutions of the Royal Government, and the private sector, at the national and sub-national level. Cooperative arrangements in statistical activities with international organizations, other national statistical offices, and other private institutions in accordance with the prevailing legislation. National statistical standards pertaining to classifications, concepts, definitions and statistical units, so as to avoid confusion on the part of data users and any duplication of official statistical data on the part of data producers.

Statistics Advisory Council Statistics Advisory Council (SAC) is the highest policy advisory on statistical matters in the country SAC consists of Minister of Planning as a Chairperson and Secretary of State of the Ministry of Planning in Charge of Official Statistics as Vice Chairperson, and a representative Secretary of State from line ministries/institutions as Members, and the Director General of NIS as Permanent Member A total of 19 members present in the SAC, including NIS

Statistics Coordination Committee Statistics Coordination Committee (SCC), established to assist NIS in technical coordination of the official statistics SCC consists of the Director General of NIS as a Chairperson, the Deputy Director General of NIS as Vice Chairperson and Director of Policies and Statistical Cooperation Department of NIS as a Secretary, and the heads of each statistical unit within line ministries/institutions as member A total of 32 members present in the SCC

Framework of Coordination and Cooperation in Cambodia’s NSS Statistics Advisory Council (SAC) Statistics Coordination Committee (SCC) National Strategic Development Plan (General Directorate of Planning, Ministry of Planning) Statistical Policy-making/ Coordinating (NIS) Data Users (Line Ministries/Institutions, IOs/NGOs and Private Sector) Data Producers (Line Ministries/Institutions, Including NIS) Data Suppliers/ Respondents

Some prerequisites of Statistics Statistics Law – 9 May 2005, governs all matters related statistics Under the Law, two Sub-decrees that define the work for the NSS: Sub-decree on Organization and Functioning of the NSS Sub-decree on Designated Official Statistics Sub-decree on the Organization and Functioning of the NSS – 27 January 2007, creates Statistics Advisory Council (SAC) and the Statistics Coordination Committee (SCC) Sub-decree on Designated Official Statistics – 19 July 2009, defines the responsible of statistical units within each ministry/institutions and obligations the NIS

Modernization And Production Process According to the Cambodia Statistical Vision is provide “Relevance, Integrity, Accessibility, Professionalism and Trust in Statistical Areas”, so it’s mmodernization and production process is to promote the following Improvement to the mechanism both formal and informal by which producers of data in a country share information and data Improvement in the ICT infrastructure to support the production and dissemination of statistics Improvement to the accessibility of statistical data and publication which users use Identifying new and innovative ways of communication with statistical users Promotion of statistical literate among the populace in the country Introducing new and better ways of data collection and processing Standardization of statistical output, clear definitions and concepts

Statistical Framework Development partners / Donors Statistical Outputs/User Dissemination Publication /Yearbook Leaflets and Booklet Surveys and Census Reports Web site and Cam Info Database (micro data) Other linked Statistics Indicators Statistics production Data collection, processing and analysis Metatdata Harmoniation and Classification Adopt/adaptation of international recoganized methodologies Quality Contro;,… Mechanism Institutional framework, Legislation Infrastructure HR and HRD /Capacity building Data network /information system Support Budget Programmes Demograhics Socio-Economic Population Age and Sex Gender Other Demographic Characteristics Education Health Labor NSA &Price Agriculture Industrial and manufacturing Energy and mining Transportation Services Poverty Others Administrative Surveys/Census Data Collection

Key Challenges Funding gap still persists at roughly 65 per cent of the total budget requirement for statistics with only a minor part of the priority statistical activities being financed. A significant amount of financing provided by the donor community however, is critical important to ensure a sustainable statistical system; more funding is required from the government. Further development is needed on methodological issues, standardized questions, common approaches to analysis, and use of National Institute of Statistics (NIS) field work capacity Enhancing further the capacities and skills of the NSS to carry out surveys and censuses is necessary

Lesson Learnt Improving the integration of National Statistical System in the region world by participating actively in international workshops, meetings, study tours overseas and in various short term, medium term and long term training. The knowledge creation occurred subsequently. The strengthening of statistical legislation as statistical prerequisites works well. Increase the credibility of NIS, improve the quality of official statistics released. Increase the commitment of Government in financing the statistical capacity. The most efficient and organized way to develop the National Statistical System is the implementation of Statistics Master Plan. Using population census to strengthen further the National Statistical System.

Future directions Fully implementing of sub-decree on designated official statistics without any delay Continuing improve the statistical coordination and cooperation among national and international counterpart Strengthening statistical coordination through SAC, SCC, Statistical Technical Working Group (STWG) and SMP Developing and implementing an improving national data dissemination policies for official statistics is another high priority project Continue improving buildings, equipment, facilities, and technology infrastructure, especially for NIS provincial and district offices and establishing new RGC statistics units Improving institutional capacity development for both central and local level through participation local and international training workshop and in house working experience with all project Continue improve scope, time of statistical products

Future directions Con’t Fully implementation national sub-decree on designated official statistics Provide the Relevance, Integrity, Accessibility, Professionalism and Trust in Statistical Areas Coordinate and improved national statistical system through SAC, SCC, Statistical Technical Working Group (STWG) and SMP Informed and increased use of official statistics Active participant in international statistical activities Encourages learning, innovation, and high performance for all its statistical activities and development Trust and cooperation of NIS data providers Strong recognition and support for the NIS amongst decision makers and the community Continue improving buildings, equipment, facilities, and technology infrastructure, especially for NIS provincial and district offices and establishing new RGC statistics units

Thank you