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
Port-of-Spain,
6-8 November 2006 25 October 2006
...... Serving
with Figures
Presented
to the Thirty-first Meeting of the
Standing
Committee of
Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad & Tobago
6th
- 8th November 2006
Prepared by:
Statistical
Office
Department
of Economic Planning & Statistics
TCI Delegation to the Thirty-first Meeting of
the
Standing Committee of
MR. DELTON JONES
Chief Economist/Head of Department
Department of Economic Planning and Statistics
MRS. MAY BATAS
Deputy Chief Statistician
Department of Economic Planning and Statistics
TCI STATISTICAL OFFICE
Performance 2006
THE OFFICE
The TCI
Statistical Office is one of the two units in the Department of Economic
Planning and Statistics under the Ministry of Finance, Health & National
Insurance. Prior to 1993, the
Statistical Office was a Statistical Unit that operated within the Financial
Secretary's Office until it was disbanded in 1993. However with the joint efforts of the
Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), the British Development
Division in the Caribbean (BDDC), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Caribbean
Regional Technical Assistance Center (CARTAC) through the Institutional
Strengthening of Statistical Services Project, the Statistical Office was
established anew in 1999 and since then continued to collect statistical
information, build databases and produce statistical reports for the TCI.
The
Statistical Office's main mission is to maintain and coordinate a quality
statistical service that will provide timely and accurate information to assist
public and private sector management and decision making.
This
Office is relatively young but surely the staff, former and current, have done
much in the collection and maintenance of statistical data series that is
meeting international standards. Our work has been recognized by heads of
government ministries and departments; and clients, stakeholders and
representatives from local, regional and international bodies. Statistical information expanded in coverage and
can now be accessed from the DEPS website www.depstc.org. Currently, available statistics are in the
areas of: Population and housing; Social, vital and gender statistics;
Merchandise trade; National accounts; Government Finance Statistics, Labour and
employment; Environment statistics; and Tourism.
The Office
has ten (10) permanent positions with the Chief Statistician post still remaining
vacant since 2003. The Deputy Chief
Statistician, Mrs. May Batas, is the officer-in-charge of the Office reporting
to Mr. Delton Jones, Chief Economist/Head of the Department. The Staff includes 2 Statisticians (Ms.
Tashema Bholanath, Mr. Shirlen Forbes), 1 Statistical Analyst/ Programmer (Ms.
Leila Viriña), 3 Statistical Technicians (Mr.
PERFORMANCE IN 2006
The
2006 programme of statistical activities focused mainly on the: generation of
economic and social statistics; developmental work on the compilation of new
statistical indicators; working for the legislation of the Statistical
Ordinance; production and dissemination of statistical reports; maintenance of
the DEPS website; reviving the
Following
is the highlight of the Statistical Office's performance in 2006. Detailed account on performance by activity
is presented in the succeeding sections.
« One of the
major outputs in 2006 was the TCI
National Accounts Statistics: 2000-2005 released in June, 2006. This is the first publication on the national
accounts estimates done by the Office, where each staff handled at least one
section and with assistance from a Consultant provided by the Caribbean
Development Bank. Commendations on the
substance and presentation of the report were received from various heads of
government ministries and department, as well as from a number of Heads of Statistical
Offices and organizations in the region.
«
New addition in the statistics compilation is on
the area of labour and employment. Time
series data for the period 2001-2005 were compiled on statistics related to labour,
employment, labour productivity, labour facilitation, labour relations and
social security. These were presented on
the report Labour and Employment
Situationer: 2001-2005 released in October, 2006.
«
TCI Census Atlas 2001 was released
in June of this year. This is the final
publication in the 2001 Population and Housing Census series that cartographically
presented key socio-economic variables related to the conditions present in the
TCI. This is a major output of the Geographical
Information System (
«
Despite problems with the trade
computerized system, trade statistics for 2005 were generated to produce the
annual and monthly trade statistics. The
Annual Trade Report 2005 is expected to be released by November. Monthly Trade Bulletins for 2005 were released
this October.
« The
Statistics Ordinance was already sent to the Cabinet for approval since August,
2006. Thereafter, the Ordinance will be
referred to the House of Assembly for approval.
It is hoped that the Ordinance will be taken up by the Minister on the
next session of the House of Assembly.
« Technical
assistance in statistics, questionnaire design, data collection, presentation
and analysis were provided to government departments and other DEPS clients,
both in the public and private sectors, as well as national, regional and
international clients.
«
There are 13 reports scheduled for
release in 2006. Already 8 reports were
released as of October. New reports for
the year include National Accounts Statistics: 2000-2005, Census Atlas 2001,
Administrative Report on Census 2001, Labour and Employment Situationer:
2001-2005, and MDGs Status Report 2005: Five Years After.
«
The Office participated in 6
trainings/workshops, 3 of which were sponsored by CARICOM and the rest were
initiatives of the office. These included trainings in national accounts,
demographic analysis,
« The Office
experienced another turnover of staff. At
the beginning of 2006 the Office was manned by 7 permanent staff and 1
temporary staff and working without a Chief Statistician. The Economic
Statistician post was filled in August.
One Statistical Technician was transferred to another office and was
replaced in March. The temporary staff
left in August to pursue further studies.
The Statistical Survey Officer is still on study leave. At the end of 2006, the office is manned by 8
permanent staff and still without a Chief Statistician.
A.
ECONOMY, FINANCE AND INVESTMENT STATISTICS
NATIONAL ACCOUNTS
In 2006, the
Statistical Office capably and independently produced and released reliable
annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates for the TCI. In June 2006, the National Accounts Statistics: 2000-2005 was released with a formal
launch presentation before Head of Government, stakeholders and clients. Documentation on the detailed methodology for
each sector was also completed and is expected to be compiled into a report by yearend.
The
implementation of the TCI System of National Accounts has been an exigent and
challenging undertaking, on account of the Statistical Office being in its
embryonic stage, coupled with a limited staff complement and lack of technical
expertise in the production of national accounts estimates. Setbacks in 2005, brought by the exit of the
person handling the national accounts, led to the adoption of a new approach for
this important area.
The
approach presently adopted by the Statistical office is assigning
responsibility for the various economic activities to its staff, where each
staff covers at least one economic activity.
From the last quarter of 2005 to the first semester of 2006, the CDB
provided a Consultant to assist the Office in strengthening the system for
national accounts compilation. The
Consultant, Ms. Hazel Corbin, was resident for one month (two two-week stints)
and worked closely with the staff in the methodology and preparation of a
revised and updated series of national accounts. This approach proved to be effective as each
staff has a good grasp on the collection and estimation processes, as well as
the theory behind the statistics.
The TCI System
of National Accounts (SNA) basically follows the 1993 United Nations SNA
framework on the compilation of the basic measure of output arising from the
economic activities and expenditures taking place within the economy and
between different economic agents. Statistics
available are: 2000-2006 series of GDP in current and constant prices (with
2000 as the base year), percentage contribution and rate of growth by economic
activity; production and cost components of Gross Value Added (GVA); the
implicit GVA deflators; expenditure on GDP; selected economic indicators, and
major GDP ratios.
MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS
The
compilation on trade statistics was delayed for about a year due primarily to the
loss of the trained trade staff and software/hardware problems. Despite these hindrances, the 2005 trade
statistics were generated and compiled to produce the annual report and monthly
bulletins. The Annual Trade Report 2005
is expected to be released by November.
The Monthly Bulletins 2005 were completed by October.
Our
once strong trade statistics system was weakened by the exit of the Economic
Statistician last year and the transfer of the trade staff early this year. The Economic Statistician post was filled
only in August and the trade staff was
replaced in March. In addition, hardware
problems occurred resulting to the loss of the trade database and the EUROTRACE
software. In the interim, the 2005 data
was processed using Base SAS by the Statistical Analyst/Programmer. The Annual Trade Report is being prepared by
the Trade staff while the Monthly Bulletins were done by the Statistical
Analyst/Programmer.
The
Office made initial efforts to re-establish the trade system. A copy of the dos-based EUROTRACE software
was already installed in a new computer unit.
However, the system is not yet operational as the Office has no staff
trained on the use of the EUROTRACE software.
The Office is currently working on the possible attachment of the Economic
Statistician to a Statistics Office in the region. The attachment would serve to enhance the processing
of trade data by trained staff, build capability to operate and maintain the
system, and lead to more timely compilation and dissemination of trade
statistics.
To
date, the available trade statistics are 1999 to 2005 series of trade by
country of origin and destination, by SITC sections, by trading blocks and by end-use
classification/broad economic classification.
Available reports include Annual Trade Reports 2003, 2004 and 2005. A complete set of Monthly Trade Bulletins for
the year 2005 are also available.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SERVICES
Statistics
on international trade in services is limited to two items estimated for
expenditures on the Gross Domestic Product.
Total imports and exports of services are available for the years 2000
to 2005.
TOURISM STATISTICS
Latest
tourism statistics available are the 2004 releases of the Tourist Board and the
results of the 2004 Survey of Departing Visitors. Due to some technical problems, the 2005
statistics from the Tourist Board are still being validated before their final
releases. On the other hand, the data
collection for the Survey of Departing Visitors 2006 is currently
on-going. This year's survey will cover
both air and cruise ship passengers. Results are expected to be released early
next year.
Tourism
Satellite Accounts (TSA) compilation was not implemented. The staff who attended training on TSA was
transferred and no materials/documentations were presented or compiled on this
area. TSA compilation will start in
2007.
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT STATISTICS
No
compilation system for this area has been established.
GOVERNMENT FINANCE STATISTICS
The
latest publication on this area was the Report
on Government Financial Statistics for Fiscal Year 2005/2006. Available statistics are from fiscal year
1999/2000 to 2005/2006. The Office
adopted the International Monetary Fund (IMF) guidelines in the compilation of
government finance statistics. A notable
feature of this report is the matching of the newly classified data using the
Government Financial Statistics (GFS) codes with the Chart of Accounts (COA)
codes and descriptions employed locally.
PRICES STATISTICS
Developmental
work for a Consumer Price Index (CPI) project is divided into two-phases: Phase I - Identification of the Market
Basket and Phase II - CPI Estimation.
The staff is currently working on Phase I activity - the conduct of the
Household Income and Expenditures Survey.
There was a great deviation from the original schedule of activities due
to the much time devoted in the national accounts compilation. Nevertheless, conduct of the survey is
expected to push through before yearend.
ICT STATISTICS
Information
and Communication Technology statistics is limited to the number of subscribers
for fixed telephone lines, mobile phones and internet services. Currently, available data is for the years
2001 to 2005.
CENTRAL BUSINESS REGISTER
The
Central Business Register (CBR) was updated to include 2005 establishment
information received from the Business Licensing Division. The Register still needs validation to ensure
that "deaths" are properly tagged and "births" are added to the list.
In
the interim, an Establishment List was generated from the National Insurance
Board database. The list included all establishments
registered and actively participating in the insurance system for the recent
five years. Establishment statistics for
2001-2005 are compiled from this list.
Available statistics are the series for 2001-2005 on the number of
establishments by size of employment, economic activity and island.
The
Establishment List will then be combined with the CBR for a registry of live
establishments in TCI. Until then, the
frame for establishment surveys will be the Establishment List.
B. POPULATION, DEMOGRAPHIC, SOCIAL AND LIVING CONDITIONS
POPULATION/DEMOGRAPHY, HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILIES
Population
statistics releases in 2006 include: TCI
total population projection until 2015, and estimates for 2005 population by
island, belongership status and sex.
Statistics
on household and families remained to be data from the 2001 Population and
Housing Census.
HEALTH AND EDUCATION
Health
statistics are mainly from the Primary Health Care Department, Medical Records
Department, National AIDS Programme, and the Ministry of Health. Latest available data are for 2005. These statistics are published in either or
both the annual Vital Statistics or Social Indicators Report.
Progress
has been made in the compilation of HIV/AIDS data. New data collected include deaths due to
HIV/AIDS by sex, newly reported cases by sex and age, and HIV/AIDS personnel.
Education
statistics are mainly from the Education Planning Department, the Turks and
LABOR STATISTICS
New
addition in the statistics compilation is on the area of labour and
employment. Data is sourced from
administrative records gathered from the National Insurance Board, Department
of Labour, Labour Tribunal, Office of the Chief Secretary and the
Treasury. Time series data for the
period 2001-2005 were compiled on statistics related to labour,
employment, labour productivity, labour facilitation, labour relations and
social security. These were presented in
the report Labour and Employment
Situationer: 2001-2005 released in October, 2006.
POVERTY, INCOME DISTRIBUTION AND CRIME
Statistics
on poverty and income distribution remained to be the data from the 1999 Survey
of Living Conditions and the 2001 Population and Housing Census. New statistics on this area will be
available in 2007 with the release of the results on the Survey of Household
Income and Expenditures 2006.
Crime
and drug statistics are mainly collected from the Criminal and Investigation
Department and the Drug Squad. Recently
released data is for the year 2005.
These statistics are published in the Social Indicators report.
DECISION-MAKING AND MIGRATION/FREE MOVEMENT
Decision-making
indicators are monitored and reported annually.
Latest available data on members of parliament is for 2005. Number of registered voters and election
turnout is available for the years 1995, 1999 and 2003. Data on legislators, senior officials and
managers are available from 2001 Census and estimates for the years 2002-2005.
The
Migration Statistics still remains to be an area for development. Efforts have been
made to collect data from the Immigration Department. To date, only one monthly report was received
from the said department.
CHILD MONITORING AND PROTECTION AND DISABILITY
Statistics
on child monitoring and protection have been compiled for the first time. With the creation of the National Committee
on the Rights of the Child of TCI by the Department of Social Development,
information on policies, programs and statistics were solicited from various
departments involved in this area.
Currently, available statistics are for the period 2001-2005 for most of
the indicators. A statistical report on
this area is planned for release in 2007.
Statistics
on disability remains to be data from the 2001 Population and Housing Census. This data was submitted in response to the UN
Questionnaire on Human Functioning and Disability Statistics for its 2005
Demographic Yearbook.
CIVIL REGISTRATION AND VITAL STATISTICS
Available
statistics in this area are for the years 1970, 1980, and from 1990 to
2005. Data collection and extraction
process remained to be an exhaustive activity as most of the administrative
records are not in a format for easy data retrieval and are manually
maintained. Efforts were made to
facilitate processing with the redesign of forms and templates for data capture. However, data sources have not implemented
the new concept and remained to follow their regular process.
LITERACY ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING PROGRAMME (LAMP)
Participation
to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics' LAMP is being considered by the
Office. Initial communications with the
Department of Labour and Department of Education were sent for possible
partnership and collaboration on this program.
The Office is still awaiting favorable responses.
C. ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS
The
environmental statistics is not a major area to be monitored by the Office but
by the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR). A collaborative
work with the DECR gave birth to the production of the TCI Environment - A Closer Look 2004 released in January, 2006.
The
TCI Environment - A Closer Look 2004 is the first official report of its kind
for the TCI and presents statistics and analyses for a number of years on the
state of the TCI environment and various environmental issues faced. Major sections of the report includes:
Population and Households, Tourism, Biodiversity, Coastal and Marine Resources,
The
Office also contributed statistics for the CARICOM Programme on Environmental
Statistics. A response was also sent on the
UNEP Questionnaire though much of the indicators are not monitored in TCI.
D. ACHIEVING THE MDGs - STATUS
The
MDGs Status Report 2005 - Five Years
After is currently being prepared for release in December. Initial indicators show that TCI already met
the goals set for a number of indicators.
In addition, a status report was also prepared and submitted to CDB at
its MDGs workshop .
The
DevInfo system was introduced to the Office through the attendance of the
Social Statistician to the DevInfo workshop in September. It is intended that the system be implemented
in 2007.
E. MODERNISATION AND RESTRUCTURING
OF THE
NATIONAL STATISTICAL SYSTEMS
No
major restructuring on the national statistical system was considered in 2006
due to the limited number of staff and unexpected turnovers. New areas are added as deemed necessary and
viable.
Old
computers were either upgraded (2 units) or completely replaced (2 units). A heavy duty Laser Printer was purchased to
allow printing of volumes of report and duplex printing. One (1) desk jet
printer was also purchased. Each staff
has his/her own computer and printer and attached to the government
network. GIS equipment, software upgrade
and additional license, including a new powerful computer, are intended to be
purchased within the year.
F. STRENGTHENING OF STATISTICAL CAPACITY
STATISTICS
ORDINANCE
The Office
liaised with the Attorney General's Chambers for the preparation of various
drafts, including a final draft of the ordinance. Consultative meetings with the private sector
were conducted separately in
G. 2001 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS
POPULATION AND HOUSING
CENSUS 2001
The entire
reporting process was completed with the release of the Census Administrative
Report and the Census 2001 Atlas. The
Census Administrative Report was released in March. It detailed the steps undertaken to conduct
the 2001 Census of Population and Housing.
The Census
2001 Atlas was released in June. This
publication cartographically presented key socio-economic variables related to
the conditions present in the TCI as reported by the 2001 Population and
Housing Census. It was to be noted that
TCI is one of the few countries that released Census data in thematic maps
presentation.
As for the
CARICOM project of the Analytical Report, the Office liaised with the National
Census Report (NCR) writer and CARICOM.
Prof. Frank Mills, the NCR writer, indicated that report writing is
completed and submitted to CARICOM. The
Office is awaiting response from CARICOM on the status of the report.
The
database on Census Visitation Records was created for use as sampling frame for
household surveys. Database build-up is 45%
completed.
H. 2010 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS
No
plans have yet been made for this activity.
I. DEPS WEBSITE
The
Statistical Office can be reached at http:\\www.depstc.org. The Website was developed in 2005 and is
regularly updated in content and design.
Different sections were added this year, namely: the National
Development Plan (NDP), SIMDG, Surveys and Census, and other new statistics
sections.
On-line
request facility was upgraded for the request of publication to know the
background of the users of the publications and find out which are the most
requested statistics/publications.
Training of an understudy is slated before yearend or early next year.
J. GEOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
The
Geographical Information System (
As a
result of this consultancy, the TCI Census 2001 Atlas was created and released
in June. This publication is a
compilation of 105 thematic maps on key
socio-economic variables related to the conditions present in the TCI as
reported by the 2001 Population and Housing Census.
In
addition, a one (1) week Statistical GIS training attachment in
The GIS
staff plans to rebuild the GIS database, enhance report preparation, and
prepare and update all ED maps to be used in surveys and the next census in
2010. The staff also coordinate with the
Lands and Surveys Department for the preparation of the ED maps.
K. PUBLICATIONS
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
RELEASED IN 2006
New Publications