ST. JOHN’S – Montserrat is to benefit from a new implementation arrangement funded by the Government of Canada.
In September, Acting Financial Secretary Lindorna Brade and Statistician Siobhan Tuitt attended the Project for the Regional Advancement of Statistics in the Caribbean (PRASC) meetings in Canada.
This initiative puts 19.5 million Canadian dollars into building statistical capacity for the 14 eligible CARICOM countries, including Montserrat.
The project focuses on enhancing the system of national accounts, improving business statistics by working on a robust business survey infrastructure, improving household statistics and improving how statistical information and expertise is shared on the national and regional level.
According to a statement from Statistics the immediate areas of support selected are:
1. Household Survey Infrastructure – review of the demographic and migration estimates, Data Analysis of Surveys
2. Communication and Dissemination – Website development, media relations and consultations
3. 2008 System of National Accounts Implementation.
The project will adopt a “learn by doing” approach, which has proven to be successful and sustainable in Statistics Canada’s experience, as it focuses on the local needs and finding solutions viable in the local context, the release noted.
The new arrangements will trigger a process which starts as early as October 2015 and span a period of 5 -7 years.