Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) spokesman Suryamin said that the statistical data integration was the theme of the annual regular meeting of ASEAN Community Statistical System (ACSS) Committee in Jakarta on Wednesday.
"In this meeting we are going to discuss the application, definition, and the materials in statistical field that is relevant to ASEAN level," Suryamin said.
He said the main focus of discussion in the ACSS Committee meeting is to improve the quality of statistical data in various fields namely merchandise trade statistics, statistics of trade in services, foreign direct investment statistics, and the millennium development goals indicators.
"We will consolidate and collect data over a wide range of important indicators and then combine and coordinate them through ASEAN Secretariat," Suryamin said.
He expressed hope that new indicator through consolidation and data specifications, but common understanding among ASEAN member countries was still needed for certain indicator such as the number of poverty.
"Each country needs consolidation, and for poverty matters we need a specification of data but it is still being discussed because
it is not easy to cross check the data," he noted.
Suryamin pointed out that the main agenda discussed in the meeting was related to the way how to develop a mechanism to improve the statistical role in supporting the three pillars of ASEAN Community in 2015, namely ASEAN economic community, ASEAN socio-cultural community, and ASEAN security and political community.
"In this meeting we also discuss the harmonization of statistical data, and expand the scope of statistical indicators for all ASEAN member countries to realize the ASEAN economic community in 2015," said deputy ASEAN secretary general for ASEAN economic community S Pushpanathan.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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