Report of the Meeting

Report of the Meeting Table of Contents I. Introduction... 2 II. Summary discussions: Common issues related to economic statistics development... 3 III. Meeting conclusions: Country priorities, proposals and follow-up actions... 5 Annex I. Meeting agenda... 9 Annex II. List of participants... 12 Annex III. Summary meeting evaluations... 14 1

I. Introduction 1. The support meeting for the economic statistics project funded by DFID was organized by the ESCAP Statistics on 30 November 2016. The was organized by ESCAP in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank on 1-2 December 2016. 1 2. Both meetings were attended by project focal points and experts on statistical business registers or business statistics from national statistical offices of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam. Resource persons from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the UK Department for International Development also participated. 2 Meeting materials are available on http://bit.ly/2chvm9w. 3. The project support meeting was dedicated to a review of project implementation and planning with a view to expediting country-level uptake of the project. After a brief introduction to the project, Cambodia, Lao PDR and the Maldives presented their national progress reports. This was followed by a paired work session to help the latter make any necessary revisions to their existing plans and timelines and for other countries to identify priorities and draft plans for project implementation.,3 4. The focused on supporting the development of SBRs by identifying development opportunities for SBRs and, where appropriate, drafting research proposals for submission to the recently instituted ESCAP Resource Facility. After a presentation of a framework for SBR development, all countries presented on the current state of their SBRs. The second day of the workshop focused on creating national research proposals for the resource facility. The proposals were presented and reviewed at the end of the Workshop. 5. The focus of the Workshop component was determined on the basis of shared priority issues and challenges identified at the first project support meeting, held in May 2016. Considering that support is provided to a number of project countries by ADB, the Workshop focused on identifying issues that would complement or enhance the ongoing efforts. The ADB SBR program currently involves Lao PDR, Cambodia, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. 6. The third project support meeting is planned to be held as part of the Asia- Pacific Economic Statistics Week in May 2017. 1 The agenda for the two meetings is included in Annex I. 2 The list of participants is included in Annex II. 3 A summary of meeting evaluations provided by participants is included in Annex III. 2

II. Summary discussions: Common issues related to economic statistics development 7. The project support meeting as well as the Workshop component featured country presentations, on economic statistics development broadly and on the state and plans for SBRs, respectively. The presentations, provided by each of the ten participating countries and the ensuing discussions identified a number of common issues and challenges. Issues related to SBR development 8. Status of SBRs: With the exception of Viet Nam, none of the countries present have a fully functioning SBR used for economic surveys. However, all countries recognize the importance of SBRs and (in differing stages) have plans to develop SBRs. 9. Administrative data: There are substantial advantages in the use of administrative data in SBRs. This however, requires collaboration between government organizations; the providers of administrative data and the NSO. Without such collaboration, NSOs have difficulties with gaining access to the data and metadata in a timely manner. This issue has been made a priority for the Task Force on SBRs 4 which will publish papers on successful country examples of accessing and utilizing administrative data. 10. Statistical Law: It was acknowledged that statistical law is a key foundation for an effective SBR as it enables NSOs to get effective and sustained access to administrative data. Without statistical law NSOs depend on personal relations or ad hoc arrangements across agencies to gain access to key data sets. Technical review and guidance, as well as advocacy support to revisions and passing of statistics legislation was seen by participants as areas where ESCAP can play an important technical and advocacy role. 11. Training and Development: a majority of countries in the region have only recently begun to develop SBRs. As such they have substantial needs for training on all aspects on SBRs. ESCAP, through its statistical training institute, SIAP, can contribute to meeting these needs. Issues related to other areas of economic statistics development 12. In addition to the shared issues related to SBR development, a number of common issues pertaining to other areas of economic statistics development. These areas are potential focus topics for future project support meetings: 4 Further details on the SBR Task Force can be found in the following link: http://bit.ly/2dkl4yi 3

a. Economic census planning and use of economic census results (Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal) b. Review of national ISICs (Bhutan and Myanmar) c. Informal sector and informal employment measurement (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal) d. Training support including curricula for economic statistics (Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Nepal) 4

III. Meeting conclusions: Country priorities, proposals and follow-up action 13. The following paragraphs summarize the meeting conclusions for each participating country under three headings: (i) priorities for overall economic statistics project planning and implementation; (ii) study proposals for developing economic statistics including on statistical business registers and (iii) follow-up actions by the national statistical office or ESCAP. Bangladesh 14. Overall economic statistics project: The draft project plan that was prepared by the Bangladesh country team covered the broad priorities for economic statistics development, as per the NSDS. According to this plan, conducting an informal sector survey was a priority and there was emphasis on the need for staff training. 15. Study proposals: The study proposal from Bangladesh focused on the informal sector survey. 16. Follow-up actions: Bangladesh to revise the study proposal for added focus and clarity on purpose of the research. This will help further discussions with BBS to identify more focused economic statistics development priorities. Bhutan 17. Overall economic statistics project: Given the Assessment of the capacity of Bhutan Statistical System to produce the core set of economic statistics conducted by ESCAP in 2011 and the recent NSDS process (2013-2018) in the country, there is no immediate need to conduct an additional economic statistics review. The country team identified their priorities as the conduct of the first economic census in 2017 and rebasing of GDP (with assistance from the World Bank); compilation of the quarterly GDP; development of the Bhutan Standard Industrial Classification (BSIC); development of guidelines and methodology for export-import price index and pilot survey on trade and transport margins and on cost structure on wholesale and retail trade, transport and construction; and assistance with the quality assurance of the construction material index for publication. 18. Study proposals: The Bhutanese country team included the preparation of the quarterly GDP methodology; industry classification; pilot survey on trade and transport margins and on cost structure on wholesale and retail trade, transport and construction; and export-import price index. 19. Follow-up actions: ESCAP to draft a project concept note for discussion with the National Bureau of Statistics in Bhutan covering the above priority topics with suggested modalities of support. 5

Cambodia 20. Overall economic statistics project: Cambodia has revised the implementation plan for the economic statistics project which entails a revised timeline for agreed activities but also additional activities, e.g. the launch of the review process with the involved national agencies to create awareness and explain the content and outcomes of the review. 21. Study proposals: The Cambodia country team drafted a proposal for a pilot industry production survey in preparation for quarterly national accounts. 22. Follow-up actions: NIS to finalize and send the updated implementation plan formally to ESCAP and comment on the review questionnaire. NIS to integrate the preparation for the pilot industry production survey into the planned economic statistics review, including in the review questionnaire. Lao PDR 23. Overall economic statistics project: ESCAP s support to the review of the current Statistics Law with an international consultant is ongoing. Staff movements within LSB have affected the implementation of the other project activities. 24. Study proposals: The country team proposed a study on real estate price indices. 25. Follow-up actions: ESCAP to send an official letter with the agreed next steps to LSB management. LSB to nominate a new project focal point and team members to follow up with various components of the collaboration agreement, i.e. statistics law, economic statistics review, research programme on economic statistics and technical assistance plan for economic statistics. LSB to send the revised implementation plan formally to ESCAP. Maldives 26. Overall economic statistics project: The review of economic statistics is in progress in the Maldives. The absence of a statistics law, stipulating the mandate of the NBS for the use of administrative data to produce economic statistics among others is a major hindrance to development of these statistics. 27. Study proposals: The Maldives country team proposed a study to review and assess the accessible data sources to construct a frame for establishment surveys given that the use of tax administration data is currently not possible to construct a statistical business register. 6

28. Follow-up actions: Pending the completion of the draft report of the review, ESCAP to discuss with NBS support based on the review recommendations, e.g. statistics law. Myanmar 29. Overall economic statistics project: Economic statistics development in Myanmar is supported by various partners, e.g. the Asian Development Bank for national accounts and UNDP for the development of a statistical business register. The discussions for collaboration between the CSO and ESCAP focused on support to the development of the natural resources component of the Core Set of Economic Statistics. CSO is also interested having the Myanmar Standard Industrial Classification (MSIC) reviewed. 30. Study proposals: The study proposal by the Myanmar team focused on the development of an SBR. This included collaborating with the ADB SBR program. 31. Follow-up actions: ESCAP to follow up with the top management of CSO to confirm ongoing activities and plans for the development of an SBR. ESCAP to prepare a proposal for supporting the planning for and the implementation of a selected natural resource account within the System of Environmental- Economic Accounting. Nepal 32. Overall economic statistics project: At the strategic level, 2 major activities for CBS are the approval of their NSDS and the review of their Statistics Act. CBS is self-sufficient in designing sample surveys and instruments but the use of administrative data is a remaining challenge and priority for Nepal. CBS has started initial work for the development of a sustainable SBR and is planning the first economic census of the country to take place in 2018 with support from JICA. Informal sector and informal employment measurement was raised as another priority by CBS. Currently, the estimates of informal employment are based on the population census. 33. Study proposals: The country team for Nepal drafted a multi-faceted proposal, comprising a quality review of available data sources that can be used for an SBR followed by advocacy for SBR establishment, maintenance and use; the establishment of the required legal framework; database and training. 34. Follow-up actions: ESCAP to draft a proposal for collaboration on strengthening economic statistics in Nepal encompassing the various priorities raised by the country team indicating modalities of support. 7

Sri Lanka 35. Overall economic statistics project: The discussion of the overall economic statistics collaboration was deferred to the fifth session of the ESCAP Committee on Statistics (14-16 December) which would be attended by the top management of DCS. 36. Study proposals: The Sri Lanka country team proposed a study on the development of a digitization plan for company registrations (administrative data) to be used for SBR. 37. Follow-up actions: ESCAP to confirm project priorities and plans with DCS top management. Timor-Leste 38. Overall economic statistics project: Timor-Leste is receiving substantial support from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the development of economic statistics. The representatives of the GDS emphasized the need for staff training for economic statistics. 39. Study proposals: The study proposal by the Timor-Leste country team focused on the provision of training for a basic understanding of what an SBR is. 40. Follow-up actions: ESCAP to coordinate with top management of GDS and ABS in identifying options for supporting economic statistics development in Timor-Leste. Viet Nam 41. Overall economic statistics project: In the absence of representation from the senior management of GSO Viet Nam, decision on priorities for a wider economic statistics project was deferred. 42. Study proposals: The Viet Nam country team had two study proposals: (i) use of customs data to expand the data coverage of SBR to import/export data and (ii) review of data sources to capture final energy consumption and production to compile energy balance. 43. Follow-up actions: ESCAP to explore and propose a technical assistance arrangement to GSO for the preparation of the energy balance sheet. GSO to finalize and submit the proposal on the use of customs data for SBR when the ongoing project on the use of tax administration data is at the final stage. 8

Annex I. Meeting agenda Second ESCAP Project Support Meeting on Economic Statistics 08:30 09:00 Registration Opening: AGENDA Day 1 30 November 2016 09:00 09:30 Ms Marge Guerrero, Director, Statistics Introduction, including of participants: Ms Rikke Munk Hansen, Statistics, ESCAP Overview of Progress 09:30 10:40 Project countries present an overview of progress, as specified in the concept note. Each presentation followed by Q&A Representatives from; Cambodia, Lao PDR, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam 10:40 10:55 Morning Tea Paired work sessions 10:55 12:00 - to work on reviewing and adjusting project plans as needed - to identify project opportunities Vietnam & Myanmar Maldives & Timor-Leste Lao PDR & Bangladesh Sri Lanka & Nepal Cambodia & Bhutan Facilitated by resource persons 12:00 1:00 Lunch Break 1:00 2:30 Paired work sessions continue 2:30 2:45 Afternoon Tea 2:45 4:30 Presentation of revised project plans (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam) Presentation of project opportunities (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Timor-Leste) 9

4:30 5:00 Conclusion and agreement on regional collaboration on the next step 09:00 09:15 AGENDA Day 2 1 December 2016 Introduction to the SBR Workshop Facilitated by ESCAP 09:15 10:00 A Framework for SBR Development: Strategic planning for SBR enhancement Presentation by ESCAP and ADB 10:00 10:20 Morning Tea 10:20 12:00 Ongoing initiatives and issues in developing SBRs Presentations by ADB and each participating country 12:00 1:00 Lunch Break 1:00 2:30 Ongoing initiatives and issues in developing SBRs Continued 2:30 2:45 Afternoon Tea 2:45 4:30 4:30 5:00 Exchange of lessons from ongoing initiatives in the participating countries Reflections from each participating country on lessons extracted Conclusion of the day and explanation of Day 3 Facilitated by ESCAP AGENDA Day 3 2 December 2016 09:00 10:30 Creating effective research proposals for the Resource Facility Presentation Ms Zeynep Orhun, Statistics, ESCAP 10

Presentation of example proposal (Viet Nam, TBD) Q&A 10:30 10:45 Morning Tea 10:45 12:00 Countries to draft plans and proposals for SBR development Country teams work with support of resource persons 12:00 1:00 Lunch Break 1:00 2:30 Countries to draft plans and proposals for SBR development (continued) Country teams work with support of resource persons 2:30 2:45 Afternoon Tea 2:45 4:30 Plenary presentation of draft proposals, for peer review and comments. Discussions facilitated by ESCAP 4:30 5:00 Conclusions and discussion of next steps 11

Annex II. List of participants Country Name Title Organization 1 Bangladesh Mr Ghose Subobrata Director Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics 2 Bangladesh Mr Bikash Kishore Das Additional Secretary Statistics and Informatics, Ministry of Planning 3 Bhutan Mr Ugyen Norbu Chief National Statistics Bureau 4 Bhutan Mr Sonam Laendup Statistical Officer National Statistics Bureau 5 Cambodia Mr Chettra Keo Director National Accounts Department, National Institute of Statistics 6 Cambodia Mr Oeur Sophal Deputy Director NIS Incharge of Economics Statistics Department 7 Lao PDR Mr. Thipsavanh Intharack 8 Lao PDR Ms. Chansaleum Kongkeo Acting General Director Chief of 9 Maldives Ms Fathimath Nihan Deputy Statistician Lao Statistics Bureau, Minisry of Planning and Inverstment Lao Statistics Bureau, Minisry of Planning and Inverstment National Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Finance & Treasury 10 Maldives Ms Aishath Laila Statistician National Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Finance & Treasury 11 Myanmar Ms Khin Swe Latt Director Central Statistical Organization 12 Myanmar Ms Moe Moe Aye Staff Officer Central Statistical Organization 13 Nepal Mr Nebin Lal Shrestha Deputy Director General 14 Nepal Mr Mahesh Chand Pradhan 15 Sri Lanka Mr Thempanameistrige Don Manju Sri Dileepa Perera 16 Sri Lanka Ms Iresha Shyamali Maderawe Gedara Wannakuge Director Statistician Statistical Officer Central Bureau of Statistics Central Bureau of Statistics Department of Census and Statistics Department of Census and Statistics 12

17 Timor Leste 18 Timor Leste Mr Cristino Gusmão Mr Joanico Jose Freitas National Director Junior Professional Statistics Economics and Social, General Directorate of Statistics National Directorate of Methodology and Data Collection, General Directorate of Statistics 19 Viet Nam Mr. Do Ngoc Ha Executive General Statistic Office of Viet Nam 20 Viet Nam Mr. Nguyen Van Toan Staff General Statistic Office of Viet Nam 21 Viet Nam Mr. Nguyen Huy Minh Deputy Director Industrial Statistics Department, General 22 DFID Mr Craig Irwin Statistics Adviser 23 ADB Mr Mahinthan Joseph Mariasingham Statistician and Project Officer Statistic Office of Viet Nam United Kingdom Department for International Development (DfID) Asian Development Bank (ADB) 24 UN ESCAP Ms Margarita Guerrero Director Statistics 25 UN ESCAP Ms Rikke Munk Hansen Chief Economic and Environment 26 UN ESCAP Ms Zeynep Orhun Statistician Economic and Environment 27 UN ESCAP Mr Michael Biddington Statistician Economic and Environment 28 UN ESCAP Ms Farzana Sharmin Associate Statistician Economic and Environment 29 UN ESCAP Ms Olga Shipina Consultant Economic and Environment 30 UN ESCAP Ms Nixie Mabanag Statistics Assistant Economic and Environment 31 UN ESCAP Ms Emma Kasemsuwan Staff Assistant Economic and Environment 32 UN ESCAP Ms Supaporn Chatwanichkul Programme Assistant Economic and Environment 13

Annex III. Summary meeting evaluations 20 of the 21 country participants completed the evaluation questionnaire that was circulated on the last day of the meeting. The table below summarizes the received responses. I. Organization of meeting: Too short Too long Adequate 1. Duration of the meeting 3 17 2. Preparations by the ESCAP secretariat Poor Adequate Very good Meeting facilities 3 17 Quality of meeting documents (invitation, concept note, etc) 5 14 Timely distribution of meeting documents 9 11 II. Content of the meeting: 3. Did the meeting achieve its objectives? Yes No Please provide your comments The support meeting helps identifying and resolving issues that are stalling in-country activities The workshop supports the development of SBRs by identifying development opportunities for SBRs The workshop strengthens capacity on drafting research proposals for submission to the recently instituted ESCAP Resource Facility. 20 20 20 All topics/objectives are met Very useful for SBR development Very useful to develop research proposal 4. Do you have any additional comments or suggestions for the improvement of this meeting? Meeting was excellent and all the facilities and arrangement was excellent. Good job. Well organized and fruitful workshop Well informed with SBR knowledge and thank you ESCAP and ADB team for your excellent facilitation. 14