Story by Peter Chivhima
As government forges ahead with the creation of a digital economy, the National Summary Data Page has been launched to afford citizens easy access to essential macroeconomic and financial data.
The Zimbabwe National Statics Agency (ZIMSTAT) noted the importance of migrating from a general data dissemination system to an enhanced general data dissemination system, a development that will see Zimbabwe being part of the African Information Highway.
Zimstat Director General Mr Taguma Mahonde said, “It is important to note that the e-GDDS enhances dissemination of relevant statistics to various stakeholders such as policymakers, academia, investors and the general public thereby promoting sound macroeconomic policies and efficient functioning of markets. The migration also provides a path towards the higher tier of data dissemination the Special Data Dissemination Standards.”
Treasury believes the initiative is in line with international best practices.
“The enhanced general data dissemination system is a key standard in the production and dissemination of statistics. The system requires government agencies to disseminate comprehensive, timely accessible and reliable economic, financial and social-demographic statistics,” noted Non-Accounting Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Judith Kateera.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Director Economic Research and Policy, Dr Nebson Mupunga noted, “The launch of the National Summary Data Page today will go a long way in providing stakeholders with quick access to a critical source of macroeconomic and financial data for quick decision making. More importantly, the timely dissemination of key macroeconomic and financial statistics to a wider global audience is critical in highlighting the key achievements that the economy is making on the economic and financial fronts.”
The development has received endorsement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“As development partners, we are excited by the development and Zimbabwe is in the right direction,” said IMF Senior Economist, Mr Edgardo Ruggiero.
The National Summary Data Page will also serve as a one-stop platform for disseminating of data, covering national accounts and prices, inflation figures, government debt and population statistics, among others.
