CARICOM Statistics

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SECRETARIAT

THIRTY - FIRST MEETING OF

THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF

CARIBBEAN STATISTICIANS SCCS/2006/31/21

Port of Spain, Trinidad

6-8 November 2008 5 November 2006

____________________________________________________

COUNTRY REPORT - JAMAICA

INTRODUCTION

During the quarter ended June 2006, the country experienced nominal growth in the GDP at constant prices. The inflation rate has been on the decline, for the fiscal year to date the increase has been 5.3% and for the year ended September 06 it was 6.5% compared to 19% for the 04/05 period.

ECONOMIC STATISTICS

- SNA 1993

The 3-year international cooperation project with Statistics Sweden aimed at the modernisation of the National Accounts System has been completed.

· Compilation of the GDP in line with the SNA 93

The implementation schedule proposes the publication of the Annual national income Report in June 2007 based on the SNA 93.

· Construction of the Supply & Use Table

It is also expected that the Supply and Use Table will be available for use with effect from June 2007. The work in this area is however being affected by the delays in the processing of the eternal merchandise trade data.

· Compilation of tourism satellite accounts

Data are available on the in-bound tourism statistics, but work is currently being done to asses the value of the domestic tourism. It will be necessary to conduct a household survey. The questionnaire is being designed and the survey is planned to capture expenditure data on domestic tourism. An inter-agency advisory committee is also to be established for the implementation of the TSA.

- Source Statistics

The Business Register

The Business Register has been expanded to include establishments with 10 and under employees. The problem being experienced, however, is the "short life cycle" of these establishments.

Compilation of Producer Price Indices

Data collection has been on-going on the prices in manufacturing and mining. The first report on the PPI in these two sectors is to be launched later this year. Development work is scheduled to begin on the agricultural, retail trade and meal and restaurants sectors in the New Year.

Compilation of Trade Indices

The work programme is "back on track" and the indices are being developed on a quarterly basis using the 2003 trade data, 2003 being considered a "normal" period. 2004 data were affected by hurricane Ivan. Technical assistance is now being provided through CARTC.

- Merchandise Trade

Monthly Bulletins with Preliminary Data are released approximately 3months in arrears after the transactions take place. The detailed data continues to be in severely in arrears. A temporary system has been developed to use the digitised import data emanating from the Customs Department. The system has not yet been fully evaluated but it is expected to reduce the processing time and the lag. 2004 trade data have been forwarded to CARICOM

- Trade in Services & Foreign Direct Investments

This programme is still in the development stage. STATIN and BOJ have agreed to work on a 12-month implementation plan for this programme. Job descriptions are also being prepared for recruiting staff in the area.

- CPI

The data from the Household Expenditure Survey are being analysed. New questionnaires have been developed for data capture. The revised CPI is scheduled to be released in February / March 2007 based on the new basket of goods.

Technical support is being provided through CARTC for the development of the the revised CPI

- Census of Agriculture 2007

Preparations are now underway for this census. The field work is scheduled to begin in February 2007 and completed by July 2007. A total of 3200 enumeration districts will be canvassed. The design of the census has incorporated the FAO recommendations for the 2010 round of Agricultural Censuses.

- Classifications

Final edits are being done to the Jamaica Industrial Classification in preparation for the printing and publication of the Report. Training in the use of the Classification is scheduled for January 2007.

Work is scheduled to resume on the Jamaica Standard Occupational Classification in early next year upon the completion of the JIC. Initial contacts have been made with UWI Mona for support during the review process.

POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC & SOCIAL STATISTICS

- Labour Statistics

Quarterly employment data are being released. Users of the statistical data are however requesting that more analysis be done on the data, such as the demographic characteristics of the persons who are not seeking employment.

- MDG Report & Social Statistics

Work continues on the collection of data from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies that generate statistics on the social sector for the update of the DevInfo software. With the support of UNICEF a steering committee is being established with permanent to assist with the roll-out DevInfo in the various social sector Ministries, Department and Agencies.

The harmonisation of concepts and definitions continues to be an issue. It is expected, however, that planned work programme associated with the roll-out of DevInfo and the establishment of the Statistics Commission will facilitate an improvement in this area.

- Literacy Survey

Preliminary discussions are being held with the Ministry of Education for the fielding of a literacy survey in 2007.

ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS

Environment Statistics 2005 and Water is the second report on the environment that features a thematic section. The section includes an overview of Jamaica's freshwater; the sources and use of water, the threats to water quality, and the effect of human settlement on the resource.

An Environmental Protection Expenditure Survey 2004 was conducted but the response was very low. 40 of the 200 surveyed responded to questionnaire. The findings from the survey will incorporated in the State of the Environment Report due 2007

MODERNISATION of THE STATISTICAL OFFICE

- Implementation of the Quality Management System

Improved efficiencies and quality assurance are two of the objectives of the strategic plan for the modernisation of the Institute. Accordingly, an external consultant has been contracted to lead assist us with obtaining ISO 9000:2000 certification in early 2007.

- Legislation Review

The Green Paper, Quality Statistics - An Imperative for Jamaica, was tabled in the Houses of Parliament and several sessions and focus group discussions were held. The points from those discussions were then evaluated and incorporated into the White Paper - Assuring Integrity In Statistics. The White Paper focuses on all the issues pertaining to the future development of statistics in Jamaica with particular emphasis being placed on the review of the Statistics Act. The focus of the proposed review in the legislation will include:

· The expansion of the scope to include the national statistics system;

· The establishment of a non-executive Statistics Commission and its Constitution and

· The supremacy of the Statistics Act

The approval of cabinet is being sought for the White Paper to be tabled in the Houses of Parliament and the establishment of the policy framework for national statistics through the nomination and the appointment of Members of the Statistics Commission prior to the amendment of the Act.

- Implementation of the Database Management System

The database management system (DMS) has been completed for all the core statistical programme areas except National Accounts. Tender proposals for the implementation of the DMS were invited advertisement in the print and electronic media. At the close of the tender, only one bid was received. The bid was from IBM World Trade Corporation. To date the national Contracts Commission has approved the award of the Tender to IBM. The final approval of Cabinet has been sought based on the price of the proposal. Implementation is expected to being in late 2006 with an estimated time of 12 - 15 months for completion.

The consultant is currently completing the design work for the National Accounts System. This project should be completed within 6 months. Thereafter implementation on the DMS will be done.


CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SECRETARIAT THIRTY - FIRST MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF CARIBBEAN STATISTICIANS SCCS/2006/31/21 Port of Spain, Trinidad 6-8 November 2008 5 November 2006 ____________________________________________________ COUNTRY REPORT - JAMAICA INTRODUCTION During the quarter ended June 2006, the country experienced nominal growth in the GDP at constant prices. The inflation rate has been on the decline, for the fiscal year to date the increase has been 5.3% and for the year ended September 06 it was 6.5% compared to 19% for the 04/05 period. ECONOMIC STATISTICS - SNA 1993 The 3-year international cooperation project with Statistics Sweden aimed at the modernisation of the National Accounts System has been completed. · Compilation of the GDP in line with the SNA 93 The implementation schedule proposes the publication of the Annual national income Report in June 2007 based on the SNA 93. · Construction of the Supply & Use Table It is also expected that the Supply and Use Table will be available for use with effect from June 2007. The work in this area is however being affected by the delays in the processing of the eternal merchandise trade data. · Compilation of tourism satellite accounts Data are available on the in-bound tourism statistics, but work is currently being done to asses the value of the domestic tourism. It will be necessary to conduct a household survey. The questionnaire is being designed and the survey is planned to capture expenditure data on domestic tourism. An inter-agency advisory committee is also to be established for the implementation of the TSA. - Source Statistics The Business Register The Business Register has been expanded to include establishments with 10 and under employees. The problem being experienced, however, is the "short life cycle" of these establishments. Compilation of Producer Price Indices Data collection has been on-going on the prices in manufacturing and mining. The first report on the PPI in these two sectors is to be launched later this year. Development work is scheduled to begin on the agricultural, retail trade and meal and restaurants sectors in the New Year. Compilation of Trade Indices The work programme is "back on track" and the indices are being developed on a quarterly basis using the 2003 trade data, 2003 being considered a "normal" period. 2004 data were affected by hurricane Ivan. Technical assistance is now being provided through CARTC. - Merchandise Trade Monthly Bulletins with Preliminary Data are released approximately 3months in arrears after the transactions take place. The detailed data continues to be in severely in arrears. A temporary system has been developed to use the digitised import data emanating from the Customs Department. The system has not yet been fully evaluated but it is expected to reduce the processing time and the lag. 2004 trade data have been forwarded to CARICOM - Trade in Services & Foreign Direct Investments This programme is still in the development stage. STATIN and BOJ have agreed to work on a 12-month implementation plan for this programme. Job descriptions are also being prepared for recruiting staff in the area. - CPI The data from the Household Expenditure Survey are being analysed. New questionnaires have been developed for data capture. The revised CPI is scheduled to be released in February / March 2007 based on the new basket of goods. Technical support is being provided through CARTC for the development of the the revised CPI - Census of Agriculture 2007 Preparations are now underway for this census. The field work is scheduled to begin in February 2007 and completed by July 2007. A total of 3200 enumeration districts will be canvassed. The design of the census has incorporated the FAO recommendations for the 2010 round of Agricultural Censuses. - Classifications Final edits are being done to the Jamaica Industrial Classification in preparation for the printing and publication of the Report. Training in the use of the Classification is scheduled for January 2007. Work is scheduled to resume on the Jamaica Standard Occupational Classification in early next year upon the completion of the JIC. Initial contacts have been made with UWI Mona for support during the review process. POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC & SOCIAL STATISTICS - Labour Statistics Quarterly employment data are being released. Users of the statistical data are however requesting that more analysis be done on the data, such as the demographic characteristics of the persons who are not seeking employment. - MDG Report & Social Statistics Work continues on the collection of data from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies that generate statistics on the social sector for the update of the DevInfo software. With the support of UNICEF a steering committee is being established with permanent to assist with the roll-out DevInfo in the various social sector Ministries, Department and Agencies. The harmonisation of concepts and definitions continues to be an issue. It is expected, however, that planned work programme associated with the roll-out of DevInfo and the establishment of the Statistics Commission will facilitate an improvement in this area. - Literacy Survey Preliminary discussions are being held with the Ministry of Education for the fielding of a literacy survey in 2007. ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS Environment Statistics 2005 and Water is the second report on the environment that features a thematic section. The section includes an overview of Jamaica's freshwater; the sources and use of water, the threats to water quality, and the effect of human settlement on the resource. An Environmental Protection Expenditure Survey 2004 was conducted but the response was very low. 40 of the 200 surveyed responded to questionnaire. The findings from the survey will incorporated in the State of the Environment Report due 2007 MODERNISATION of THE STATISTICAL OFFICE - Implementation of the Quality Management System Improved efficiencies and quality assurance are two of the objectives of the strategic plan for the modernisation of the Institute. Accordingly, an external consultant has been contracted to lead assist us with obtaining ISO 9000:2000 certification in early 2007. - Legislation Review The Green Paper, Quality Statistics - An Imperative for Jamaica, was tabled in the Houses of Parliament and several sessions and focus group discussions were held. The points from those discussions were then evaluated and incorporated into the White Paper - Assuring Integrity In Statistics. The White Paper focuses on all the issues pertaining to the future development of statistics in Jamaica with particular emphasis being placed on the review of the Statistics Act. The focus of the proposed review in the legislation will include: · The expansion of the scope to include the national statistics system; · The establishment of a non-executive Statistics Commission and its Constitution and · The supremacy of the Statistics Act The approval of cabinet is being sought for the White Paper to be tabled in the Houses of Parliament and the establishment of the policy framework for national statistics through the nomination and the appointment of Members of the Statistics Commission prior to the amendment of the Act. - Implementation of the Database Management System The database management system (DMS) has been completed for all the core statistical programme areas except National Accounts. Tender proposals for the implementation of the DMS were invited advertisement in the print and electronic media. At the close of the tender, only one bid was received. The bid was from IBM World Trade Corporation. To date the national Contracts Commission has approved the award of the Tender to IBM. The final approval of Cabinet has been sought based on the price of the proposal. Implementation is expected to being in late 2006 with an estimated time of 12 - 15 months for completion. The consultant is currently completing the design work for the National Accounts System. This project should be completed within 6 months. Thereafter implementation on the DMS will be done.
Designed and Maintained by The Statistics Sub-Programme, Caribbean Community Secretariat, P.O. Box 10827, Turkeyen Greater Georgetown, Guyana Tel.: (592) 226-9281/9 Fax: (592) 226-6091