STATIN Using Technology to Improve Efficiency

Director General at the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Carol Coy, says the entity has been making use of technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations.

She informed, for example, that the entity has converted to an electronic data collection system, which has made the process of gathering information speedier and easier.

“So, for household surveys and CPI (consumer price index), we now collect the information on tablets…and the information is uploaded to our servers here in office. We are no longer using paper, which results in the data being collected and transmitted in a much speedier manner,” she said.

Miss Coy noted that one advantage of the electronic system is that other agencies with similar technologies in place are able to transmit information to STATIN in a timely manner.

Meanwhile, the Director General informed that the entity will be relaunching its website in May, aimed at enhancing the provision of data to its stakeholders and the Jamaican populace.

She noted that over the decades, STATIN has expanded the range of statistics that it provides. Among them is the Consumer Price Index, produced on the 15^th of every month, which measures the movement in consumer prices.

She said that the System of National Accounts, which provides information on the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is also being revised, in order to ensure that the statistics are in keeping with international guidelines and methodologies, and are current with what is happening in Jamaica.

Miss Coy also cited the labour force statistics, which track employment and unemployment, and the population and housing census done every 10 years, which provides information on the size of the population in areas such as age, sex, religion and education.

“We have also expanded in providing environment statistics on Jamaica; information on the ICT (information and communications technology) sector…we partner with the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) every year to produce the Survey of Living Conditions and at intervals, we do ad hoc surveys to look at the economic and social conditions of the people of Jamaica,” the Director General outlined.

She noted that the entity will be undertaking a number of major surveys including a household expenditure survey, which will be used to revise the weights for the CPI.

In addition, a business survey will be conducted later this year, aimed at improving STATIN’s business registry and to provide more timely and relevant information to stakeholders.

“We want to remind or reassure Jamaicans that the information that they provide is confidential under the Statistics Act and we cannot provide this to any other party whether Government or outside…we also want to encourage persons to continue to support our surveys as this is what allows us to provide the information necessary for the growth and development of our country,” Miss Coy expressed.