By Nurdiyanah R. –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, OCT 20 – The Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (JPES), Ministry of Finance and Economy celebrated Brunei Darussalam’s National Statistics Day by organizing a themed workshop Enhancing Administrative Data in Building Sound Policies which was held at the Ministry of Finance and Economy Building, Commonwealth Drive, Jalan Kebangsaan, yesterday.
The event brought together more than 60 participants from government agencies by emphasizing the importance of cultivating strong data among government institutions, for the sake of effective policy formulation and the country’s progress towards a resilient future, in line with Brunei Vision 2035.
Present to inaugurate the workshop was the Acting Director General of JPES, Dayang Heidi Farah Sia binti Abdul Rahman.
In his opening speech, he emphasized the theme of the workshop showing the commitment of the Department of Statistics to strengthen a data-based culture at all levels of government.
He also emphasized the importance of the role of accurate and reliable data as an input in driving national progress, emphasizing the function of administrative agencies as the front line in the production of this important data.
He added that data collection must adapt to changing conditions where the goal is to ensure that the data collected will help make appropriate decisions to support the development of the country, formulate more effective policies, and increase the country’s resilience.
He explained that data collection is not only the responsibility of statisticians in the Department of Statistics.
It involves a collective effort, including frontline staff and data processing teams, to ensure the information collected is timely, relevant and useful.
The data produced from daily activities are not just numbers or bureaucratic tasks, but are powerful tools when used effectively, in addition to contributing to policies that are more responsive to the needs of the people and form the basis of the country’s statistical infrastructure.
The workshop also featured several presentations by JPES officers, including the Acting Director of the Department of Statistics, Awang Bahrum bin Kadun, Senior Statistics Officers and Dr Hazwan Haini, an experienced researcher from the Center for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS).
The presenters shared views on topics related to the identification and role of administrative data in producing national socio-economic statistics as well as statistical needs from the user’s point of view.
The workshop also contained an interactive discussion session among the participants with an exchange of views related to the issues faced and potential suggestions, including capacity building, increasing data literacy, utilization of technology, as well as improving cooperation and communication in an effort to coordinate data differences between government agencies.
National Statistics Day is celebrated by emphasizing the importance of the role of statistics in national development.
The event is in line with the recommendations United Nations Statistical Commission’s recommendation to spread the importance of statistics at the national level. The celebration marks an important achievement in recognizing the importance of the role of statistics in shaping the future of the country.