C A R I B B E A N C O M M U N I T Y S E C R E T A R I A T

THIRTY- FIRST MEETING OF

THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF

CARIBBEAN STATISTICIANS SCCS/2006/31/29

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

6-8 November 2006 8 November 2006

STATUS REPORT

A. ECONOMY, FINANCE AND INVESTMENT STATISTICS

NATIONAL ACCOUNTS

About two years ago, a CARTAC sponsored project to extend the present GDP compilation to a comprehensive economic analysis, covering all the SNA segments, which include the development of Supply and Use Tables (SUT), Integrated Economic Accounts and Cross Classification of Industries and Sectors got started. Considerable work was accomplished by the Consultants, but it was unfinished. In August this year, CARTAC retained the services of another Consultant to assess what was done previously and to move the project along. The format in which the data was presented by the previous consultant was changed. Additional information is being collected so that weights can be assigned to the commodities.

Preliminary estimates for the year 2005 were made during the week of 3^rd - 7^th April 2006. The office again received technical assistance from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The findings were presented to the Director of Planning and Senior Staff of the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

The re-basing of the National Accounts series is still ongoing

MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS

The Annual Trade Report for 2005 is now available. To date, import data for the period January to August 2006 is available and January to July for exports. Three quarterly reports for 2005 with comparable data for 2004 is now available on the government website (www.gov.vc).

The Customs and Excise Department has announced plans to upgrade their system to ASUCUDA ++. The goal here is to have their clients submit the customs forms online. This therefore means that the present system where the Statistical Office accesses the warrants to make adjustments before it is keyed into the system will be disbanded. The Statistical Office will continue to work closely with the Customs and Brokers, to ensure that our data needs are not compromised.

TOURISM STATISTICS

The Ministry of Tourism continues to publish monthly and annual reports. The latest available data is for July 2006. The Visitor Exit Survey which is done one week per month is ongoing. However, due to problems encountered with the software being used, no information is available for this year so far.

A separate cruise ship survey is also conducted by the Ministry of Tourism. Latest data available is for the year 2004.

In an effort to improve the system for collection and compilation of Tourism Statistics in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Ministry of Finance engaged a team of consultants to analyse the present system. The draft final report was presented in June this year. The final report is being awaited since comments on the draft report were already communicated to the Consultants. The project was financed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SERVICES

The compilation of the Trade in Services for the year 2004 was completed during the month of February 2006. Data for this activity is derived from the Balance of Payments estimates. The available series covers the years 2000 - 2004.

POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC, SOCIAL AND LIVING STATISTICS

POPULATION, HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILIES

The 2001 Population and Housing Census data continue to be used extensively as this is the most comprehensive and in some instances, the most current data available. Persons interested in obtaining the 2001 Population and Housing Census report are given the option to have it in PDF format.

The consultant engaged by the CARICOM Secretariat to write a detailed National Census report for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has submitted the first eleven (11) chapters to the Secretariat. These chapters were made available to the Statistical Office during a one-day workshop convened by the Secretariat on June 30^th 2006. They are now in the possession of the Economic Planning and Social Development Unit.

Under the MECOVI[1] project undertaken by the OECS Secretariat, the Statistical Office benefited from two Data Analysis workshops last year. The first took place in St. Lucia, while the other was convened in Grenada. The each ran for a two week period. Two In-country training workshops also took place. A data analysis workshop, mainly for Social Ministries took place during the week of July 17^th - 21^st 2006 while a sampling Methodology workshop was convened during the period October 9 - 12, 2006. Though other Ministries were invited to participate, only the Ministry of Health accepted the invitation. In the end, all except one participant was drawn from the Central Statistical Office.

HEALTH

The Ministry of Health, through the various units compiles the Health Statistics. There is however a close working relationship between the Central Statistics Office and the Ministry of Health. Earlier this year, the Senior Statistical Assistant in the Ministry of Health was transferred to the Central Statistical Office as a Statistical Officer, while a Statistical Assistant from the CSO was promoted and filled the position left vacant. During the course of this year, we provided valuable support to the Epidemiology Unit in the analysis of reports. In addition, members of staff worked closely with the Nutrition Unit when they conducted a survey to assess the school feeding programme, and subsequently in the cleaning of the dataset. The Chief Statistician sits on the Food and Nutrition Security Council, established by Cabinet.

The Core Data Set (Health 2004) has been updated, while work is ongoing on the Digest of Health Statistics 2004-2005.

EDUCATION

The Statistical Unit in the Ministry of Education is in transition. The Statistician is on study leave while both the Planner and the Deputy Planner are both engaged with other assignments. The Central Statistical Office has been asked to lend some support in the compilation of the education statistics.

POVERTY, INCOME DISTRIBUTION AND CRIME

Preparations for the conduct of the Country Poverty Assessment are still ongoing. In April this year, Mr. Sam Carette, coordinator of the Dominica National Assessment Team (NAT) provided some assistance with regards to setting up a NAT in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Discussions were held with a few stakeholders and the past NAT Chairman. A number of Ministries and Organizations were identified as integral to provide membership on the NAT. In August, Cabinet approved the establishment of this team to be chaired by the Director of Planning. The Inaugural meeting was held in October.

A mapping exercise to ensure that Enumeration Districts had proper descriptions and were kept to a manageable size got started during the first quarter of the year. The process was suspended for six weeks (July 3^rd to August 11^th 2006) to facilitate the attendance of the lead person at a Demographic Analysis Workshop, convened by the CARICOM Secretariat.

As part of the preparation for the Country Poverty Assessment, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) accommodated a Statistical Assistant for a two-week period. This proved to be a positive move, since that officer is now leading the mapping exercise mentioned earlier. The CPA will not commence in 2006 as was envisaged due to delays related to the transfer of the SFA 2002 funds by the European Union.

CHILD MONITORING AND PROTECTION AND DISABILITY

The Ministry of National Mobilization, Social Development etc handles issues related to children. The data is captured manually and no attempt is being made to have them computerized. The Statistical Office has made efforts to work with them in this regard, but as yet, no interest is shown.

OTHER SOCIAL/GENDER STATISTICS:

Civil Registration and Vital Statistics

[1] To strengthen the institutional capacity of statistical offices in 5 OECS countries to plan and carry out survey work.


C A R I B B E A N C O M M U N I T Y S E C R E T A R I A T THIRTY- FIRST MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF CARIBBEAN STATISTICIANS SCCS/2006/31/29 Port-of-Spain, Trinidad 6-8 November 2006 8 November 2006 STATUS REPORT A. ECONOMY, FINANCE AND INVESTMENT STATISTICS NATIONAL ACCOUNTS About two years ago, a CARTAC sponsored project to extend the present GDP compilation to a comprehensive economic analysis, covering all the SNA segments, which include the development of Supply and Use Tables (SUT), Integrated Economic Accounts and Cross Classification of Industries and Sectors got started. Considerable work was accomplished by the Consultants, but it was unfinished. In August this year, CARTAC retained the services of another Consultant to assess what was done previously and to move the project along. The format in which the data was presented by the previous consultant was changed. Additional information is being collected so that weights can be assigned to the commodities. Preliminary estimates for the year 2005 were made during the week of 3^rd - 7^th April 2006. The office again received technical assistance from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The findings were presented to the Director of Planning and Senior Staff of the Ministry of Finance and Planning. The re-basing of the National Accounts series is still ongoing *MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS* The Annual Trade Report for 2005 is now available. To date, import data for the period January to August 2006 is available and January to July for exports. Three quarterly reports for 2005 with comparable data for 2004 is now available on the government website (www.gov.vc). The Customs and Excise Department has announced plans to upgrade their system to ASUCUDA ++. The goal here is to have their clients submit the customs forms online. This therefore means that the present system where the Statistical Office accesses the warrants to make adjustments before it is keyed into the system will be disbanded. The Statistical Office will continue to work closely with the Customs and Brokers, to ensure that our data needs are not compromised. *TOURISM STATISTICS* The Ministry of Tourism continues to publish monthly and annual reports. The latest available data is for July 2006. The Visitor Exit Survey which is done one week per month is ongoing. However, due to problems encountered with the software being used, no information is available for this year so far. A separate cruise ship survey is also conducted by the Ministry of Tourism. Latest data available is for the year 2004. In an effort to improve the system for collection and compilation of Tourism Statistics in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Ministry of Finance engaged a team of consultants to analyse the present system. The draft final report was presented in June this year. The final report is being awaited since comments on the draft report were already communicated to the Consultants. The project was financed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SERVICES The compilation of the Trade in Services for the year 2004 was completed during the month of February 2006. Data for this activity is derived from the Balance of Payments estimates. The available series covers the years 2000 - 2004. POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC, SOCIAL AND LIVING STATISTICS POPULATION, HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILIES The 2001 Population and Housing Census data continue to be used extensively as this is the most comprehensive and in some instances, the most current data available. Persons interested in obtaining the 2001 Population and Housing Census report are given the option to have it in PDF format. The consultant engaged by the CARICOM Secretariat to write a detailed National Census report for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has submitted the first eleven (11) chapters to the Secretariat. These chapters were made available to the Statistical Office during a one-day workshop convened by the Secretariat on June 30^th 2006. They are now in the possession of the Economic Planning and Social Development Unit. Under the MECOVI[1] project undertaken by the OECS Secretariat, the Statistical Office benefited from two Data Analysis workshops last year. The first took place in St. Lucia, while the other was convened in Grenada. The each ran for a two week period. Two In-country training workshops also took place. A data analysis workshop, mainly for Social Ministries took place during the week of July 17^th - 21^st 2006 while a sampling Methodology workshop was convened during the period October 9 - 12, 2006. Though other Ministries were invited to participate, only the Ministry of Health accepted the invitation. In the end, all except one participant was drawn from the Central Statistical Office. HEALTH The Ministry of Health, through the various units compiles the Health Statistics. There is however a close working relationship between the Central Statistics Office and the Ministry of Health. Earlier this year, the Senior Statistical Assistant in the Ministry of Health was transferred to the Central Statistical Office as a Statistical Officer, while a Statistical Assistant from the CSO was promoted and filled the position left vacant. During the course of this year, we provided valuable support to the Epidemiology Unit in the analysis of reports. In addition, members of staff worked closely with the Nutrition Unit when they conducted a survey to assess the school feeding programme, and subsequently in the cleaning of the dataset. The Chief Statistician sits on the Food and Nutrition Security Council, established by Cabinet. The Core Data Set (Health 2004) has been updated, while work is ongoing on the Digest of Health Statistics 2004-2005. *EDUCATION* The Statistical Unit in the Ministry of Education is in transition. The Statistician is on study leave while both the Planner and the Deputy Planner are both engaged with other assignments. The Central Statistical Office has been asked to lend some support in the compilation of the education statistics. POVERTY, INCOME DISTRIBUTION AND CRIME Preparations for the conduct of the Country Poverty Assessment are still ongoing. In April this year, Mr. Sam Carette, coordinator of the Dominica National Assessment Team (NAT) provided some assistance with regards to setting up a NAT in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Discussions were held with a few stakeholders and the past NAT Chairman. A number of Ministries and Organizations were identified as integral to provide membership on the NAT. In August, Cabinet approved the establishment of this team to be chaired by the Director of Planning. The Inaugural meeting was held in October. A mapping exercise to ensure that Enumeration Districts had proper descriptions and were kept to a manageable size got started during the first quarter of the year. The process was suspended for six weeks (July 3^rd to August 11^th 2006) to facilitate the attendance of the lead person at a Demographic Analysis Workshop, convened by the CARICOM Secretariat. As part of the preparation for the Country Poverty Assessment, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) accommodated a Statistical Assistant for a two-week period. This proved to be a positive move, since that officer is now leading the mapping exercise mentioned earlier. The CPA will not commence in 2006 as was envisaged due to delays related to the transfer of the SFA 2002 funds by the European Union. CHILD MONITORING AND PROTECTION AND DISABILITY The Ministry of National Mobilization, Social Development etc handles issues related to children. The data is captured manually and no attempt is being made to have them computerized. The Statistical Office has made efforts to work with them in this regard, but as yet, no interest is shown. OTHER SOCIAL/GENDER STATISTICS: Civil Registration and Vital Statistics [1] To strengthen the institutional capacity of statistical offices in 5 OECS countries to plan and carry out survey work.
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