1. Update and Discussion on the Capacity Screening Exercise 2017
6th Meeting of the Steering Group for the Regional Programme on Economic Statistics
26 May 2017 | Bangkok, Thailand
Update and Discussion on the Capacity Screening Exercise 2017
Ms Suzanne Wong
Task Force on the Capacity Screening Exercise 2017

2. Session Overview Part 1 – Progress update on Capacity Screening 2017
Part 2 – Discussion on use of the capacity screening results

3. Part 1 – Progress Update on Capacity Screening 2017

4. Purpose of Capacity Screening Exercise 2017
To update countries’ current capacity status and review progress made
To identify key obstacles impeding the production and dissemination of the Core Set of Economic Statistics

5. Task Force on the Capacity Screening Exercise 2017
Lead: Ms Suzanne Wong, Singapore
Members:
Ms Aycan Ozek, Turkey
Mr Makita Naoki, Japan
Ms Nilima Lal, SPC
Ms Tulay Korkmaz, Turkey
Ms Wang Ping, China
ESCAP Secretariat

6. Task Force Terms of Reference
Develop questionnaire for the 2nd Capacity Screening
Key Considerations:
Improve questionnaire (scope & clarity)
Maintain data comparability with 1st CS exercise
Minimise response burden

7. Milestones & Progress Status
Questionnaire design: Completed
Nomination of national focal point: In-progress
Launch of survey: May 2017
Survey deadline: June 2017
Data verification & analysis: June – Aug 2017 (tentative)
Results report: Sep 2017 (tentative)

8. Administration of the Capacity Screening Exercise 2017
Data pre-filled on the basis of response from 1st CS exercise
National focal person-point of contact in charge of coordinating and consolidating responses/queries across the national statistical system (NSO, govt ministries, central bank, etc)
Secretariat in charge of data compilation, verification and analysis.

9. Part 2 – Discussion on Use of the Capacity Screening Results

10. Use of Capacity Screening Results
Develop national and regional reports – Progress made, changes, outstanding gaps and challenges
Shape discussions & strategies on way forward
Provide quick info on technical assistance demand and supply
Mobilize and coordinate support and resources at national and regional level
Empowering NSOs in getting high level attention by sharing the results at different forums
Types of product: Summaries, detailed reports, dashboards, etc.
First, we will look into developing a number of outputs such as national, regional and sub-regional reports to draw attention to the progress made, outstanding gaps and challenges faced.
We expect results from the CS to shape discussions and strategies on the way forward, both at the national as well as regional level.
Data from the CS will provide information on technical assistance demand and supply. In other words, who needs what and who can provide what in terms of TA.
Results from the CS may also be discussed and presented at different forums to raise awareness of the current capacity gaps in the region, and to mobilise support and resources to overcome these gaps.
We also envisage that the findings from this exercise will help coordinate and unify countries’ and development partners’ capacity building initiatives.
In terms of products, we could explore developing summary reports, detailed national, sub-national and regional reports, similar to what was done in the 2013 round. In addition, we may also explore developing dashboards and other interactive charts to better communicate the key findings.

11. Points for Discussion
How can we leverage on the CS results to support statistical capacity building in the region?
Who needs to know the results? Why?
What do they need to know? What might be of interest to them?
How can we communicate/share the data/findings more effectively to key stakeholders?
Proposed TF activities for next year, if any.
I think now is a good time for me to pause for questions and also to invite feedback and suggestions on potential uses of the results.

12. Thank You