The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) joined Gulf government statistics organisations in celebrating GCC Statistics Day, which falls on December 24. 

 

This year’s theme, ‘Statistics for Extraordinary Circumstances’, highlights what regional and global statistics organisations learned from the impact the Covid-19) pandemic had on their work, the economy and business. These economic challenges increased demand for a certain type of data and highlighted the need for proactive statistical studies.

 

iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed congratulated everyone working in the field of statistics in Bahrain and the GCC, expressing his appreciation for their efforts to provide reliable and trusted data that can be used in decision-making and the formulation of national strategies.

 

Al Qaed highlighted the iGA’s achievements in statistics, adding that it continued to conduct the Kingdom’s census despite the challenges of the pandemic. In 2020, Bahrain became one of the first countries to use administrative records in its General Census of Population, Housing, and Establishments. 

 

Bahrain was also one of the first countries to conduct a national census during the pandemic. The Kingdom is traditionally a regional pioneer in censuses, its first being conducted in 1941. In 2010, it became the first country in the region to replace costly field surveys with information collected from databases of ministries and government entities.      

 

Other 2021 accomplishments revealed by Al Qaed included the launch of Bahrain’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) platforms, a report on implementing the New Urban Agenda prepared by the National Committee for Information and Population, and Bahrain's first Voluntary National Review on the 2030 SDGs.

 

The iGA also met the requirements of the Enhanced General Data Dissemination System, which improves the transparency of data and its governance by generating the data needed to analyse economic conditions. 

 

The system disseminates data via a unified platform to increase the efficiency of data exchange; carries out a number of statistical projects such as surveys of economic establishments and foreign investment; issues a comprehensive statistical resource detailing the history of the Kingdom’s tourism statistics system; and produces indicators that play a major role in monitoring and evaluating current economic conditions and contributing to the formulation of post-crisis economic recovery plans.

 

During the pandemic, Gulf statistics organisations and the GCC Statistical Center sought to help overcome challenges by providing official data swiftly to decision makers, assisting them in setting the policies needed to alleviate the pandemic’s negative impact on their communities and economies as well as preparing for recovery.

 

GCC Statistics Day was announced as per a GCC Ministerial Committee’s decision at its 141st session held on November 24, 2016 in Manama.-TradeArabia News Service