IMF calls on statistics agency to improve methodologies<\/p>\n
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In anticipation of increased economic activity and to provide a
\nmore accurate picture of the country's condition, state
\nstatistics agencies must continue improving their methodologies,
\nsays an International Monetary Fund (IMF) statistical system
\nassessment mission.<\/p>\n
Mission head William Alexander said on Tuesday the existing
\nsystem was good enough but still had room for improvement to
\nanticipate rapid changes due to globalization and recent
\ndecentralization.<\/p>\n
\"The statistical system in Indonesia actually compares very
\nfavorably with other countries in the region, having a number of
\nstrengths which are very important,\" he said.<\/p>\n
One of the strengths, he added, was that the legal and
\ninstitutional framework underpinning the whole statistical system
\nhas been strong, providing a basis to protect the independence
\nand objectivity of the statistics.<\/p>\n
\"The government does not have access to most statistics
\nproduced in Indonesia before they are released to the public,\" he
\nsaid. \"As a result, we have a lot of confidence in the results.\"<\/p>\n
Alexander explained that the mission had also found that the
\nlevel of resources allocated for statistical surveys was large
\ncompared to other countries.<\/p>\n
\"The staff of the statistical system are highly professional
\nand well trained. They also have been keen to uphold the quality
\nof their statistical products.\"<\/p>\n
However, the country's statistical system still faces some
\nproblems due to the fact that Indonesia is growing rapidly and as
\na result of globalization.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia's statistical system must be constantly on guard to
\ncapture new forms of economic activity and adequately report
\nthem,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Alexander gave as an example the importance of capturing new
\nactivities in the service sector as well as keeping surveys of
\nbusinesses updated on a regular basis for the national accounts
\nstatistics.<\/p>\n
In the case of monetary statistics, new products and
\ninstitutions also emerge almost on a daily basis.<\/p>\n
\"Take for example mutual funds, which is a form of depository
\ninstitution,\" he said.<\/p>\n
On the government's finance statistics, the issue of
\ndecentralization has created a need to monitor regional
\nadministrations and strengthen the statistical base there.<\/p>\n
\"It is also important that the activities of off-budget
\norganizations be captured,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The IMF mission is expected to wrap up its assessment and
\npublish the results next week in its Reports on the Observance of
\nStandards and Codes for Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The reports will include compliance of 12 international
\nstandards, including the fund's transparency principles, the
\nBasel prudent banking practices and Financial Action Task Force's
\nantimoney laundering recommendations.<\/p>\n
The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) publishes macroeconomic
\nindicators such as gross domestic product growth, the inflation
\nrate and trade balance, while Bank Indonesia publishes monetary
\nstatistics such as foreign exchange reserves and the country's
\nbalance of payments.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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