Strengthening statistics on business

Partnership
Initiative

Background

The Oficina Nacional de Estadística de la República Dominicana - ONE (National Statistics Office of the Dominican Republic) and the Instituto Nacional de Estadística de la República Oriental del Uruguay - INE (National Institute of Statistics of Uruguay) have a long history of working together in the field of statistics, particularly in the areas of censuses, surveys, automated technology in data processing, training in collection systems, as well as information systems for economic, social and demographic statistics.

In 2008, the ONE and the INE established a collaboration programme that has resulted in the development of several working tools, as well as joint data collection and analysis exercises that have strengthened the capacities of both entities. One of the most relevant outcomes of this programme has been the formulation of the Integrated Indicator System for Development (SINID) in the Dominican Republic and the launch of its pilot phase. Following its successful implementation, the system received financial support from the European Union for a second phase.

The Fundación para el Análisis y el Desarrollo Estratégico de la Pequeña y Mediana Empresa - FAEDPYME (Foundation for the Analysis and Strategic Development of SMEs) has extensive experience in the study of MSMEs in Latin America through the Network of Universities and Research Institutions on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), making it an important regional actor in the process of disseminating data and transmitting knowledge on the sector. Within the framework of this Network, there has been frequent contact with the National Statistics Office of the Dominican Republic and the National Institute of Statistics of Uruguay, establishing a relationship where interests converge on the measurement of business statistics. As a result, these entities have formed a Triangular Cooperation Partnership to continue producing quality data, in order to support the development of public policies for the sustainable development of the productive sector.

Entities and roles

Beneficiary entities

Oficina Nacional de Estadística - ONE

Dominican Republic

First provider entities

Instituto Nacional de Estadística - INE

Uruguay

Second provider entities

Fundación para el Análisis y el Desarrollo Estratégico de la Pequeña y Mediana Empresa - FAEDPYME

Spain

Development challenges

Thanks to this Triangular Cooperation Initiative, the knowledge of the Partnership member entities in the development of economic statistics - with an emphasis on business statistics, analysis and the dissemination of data - will be used to develop tools that enable quality data to be produced, centred on the productive sector and with a strong focus on business.

As a result of this Initiative, the objective is to strengthen the measurement of business statistics by expanding their coverage and availability, thus improving the quality of statistical and analytical information for the business sector, as well as for the design, monitoring and evaluation of plans, programmes and public policies in this area.

This Triangular Cooperation Initiative seeks to share the knowledge of the Partnership entities in order to develop statistical information tools in the business sector, with an emphasis on MSMEs, focusing on the design, monitoring and evaluation of public policies for the productive sectors.

Triangular approach

The capacity to produce and analyse high quality official data is a factor in determining the strength of government entities, along with their ability to ensure transparency and access to information. In addition, the capacity to produce timely and reliable information is essential for public and private decision-making, which in a post-COVID context is a priority in order to promote a rapid and sustainable recovery.

Studies carried out by FAEDPYME on the impact of COVID-19 on MSMEs in the Ibero-American context reveal the consequences of the pandemic on the productive sector, triggering a series of negative effects that have weakened the economies of many countries, especially in Central America and the Caribbean. These studies have been very useful in establishing short-term economic revitalisation and impact mitigation strategies, but there is a need for methodologies and tools that can collect and measure quantitative and qualitative data on a sustained basis, in order to help identify critical factors and opportunities for the productive sector in the medium and long term.

The Plan Nacional Plurianual del Sector Público (PNPSP - National Multi-Year Public Sector Plan) of the Dominican Republic, in its agenda focused on quality of life, has established a policy of data management for analysis and decision-making, seeking to strengthen the development of evidence-based public policies. To achieve the expected outcomes, priority has been given to strengthening administrative records and economic surveys, making it necessary to monitor and evaluate indicators on the impact on business performance.

In line with this Plan, the INE's experience in producing economic statistics, based on censuses and surveys, and the use of administrative records, as well as FAEDPYME's training and research capacities in the area of MSMEs, will be used to create an information management model for business statistics.

This model will improve the quality of the official statistics information provided by the National Statistics Office of the Dominican Republic and will help strengthen its service offer, contributing to the development of better plans and public policies for the country's business sector. This model will be developed with the aim of adapting it to other Latin American and Caribbean contexts, and can also be used by other similar entities.

Sectoral approach - Contribution to the 2030 Agenda

Primary SDG

Goal 8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

Goal 8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production, with developed countries taking the lead

Goal 8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

Secondary SDG

Goal 16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms

ADELANTE SDG

Goal 10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average

Goal 17.19 By 2030, build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product, and support statistical capacity-building in developing countries

Territorial approach

Intervention methodology

The work plan of the Initiative has been designed to guarantee opportunities for knowledge exchange between the Partnership member entities. In addition, all of the organisations which contribute to data collection for the ONE's statistical systems can benefit from a training cycle led by FAEDPYME. To this end, six activities have been planned in both face-to-face and virtual formats.

The Initiative will start with a consultancy to provide an assessment and methodological proposal on the National Statistics Office of the Dominican Republic's capacity for the production and dissemination of business statistics. For this exercise, INE's best practices in statistical production will be used for benchmarking and will be the starting point for the creation of the business statistics information management model.

This will be followed by two study visits: an initial visit to the ONE in the Dominican Republic by INE and FAEDPYME staff, and a second visit by Dominican Republic ONE staff to INE in Uruguay. These two visits will provide the opportunity to learn first-hand about the methodologies and tools of both entities for the preparation, production, analysis and dissemination of statistics and business indicators, focusing on gender, youth and environmental issues.

In parallel, a study led by FAEDPYME will produce an analytical document on the results of the MSME module of the ENHOGAR 2022 survey in the Dominican Republic. In parallel, a cycle of virtual workshops will be held, in which FAEDPYME will share the results of the study as well as the research and strategic analysis techniques applied, thus strengthening the capacities of the ONE and INE teams.

Lastly, an international seminar will be held, where the results of the Initiative will be presented and the business statistics information management model will be shared with actors from the National Statistics System of the Dominican Republic, developed by the Partnership member entities throughout the Initiative.

Direct beneficiaries (individuals)

According to Rule 9 of the Guidelines for Applicants: all persons participating in the activities of the Initiative.

This Initiative has more than 150 direct beneficiaries, including 133 civil servants primarily from public entities in charge of collecting information through administrative records, and who play an important role in the production and quality of official statistics.

In addition, at least 20 people linked to the Partnership member entities will benefit from participating in the planning and implementation of the Initiative's activities.

Budget

EU contribution: 78,400.03 €

Co-financing - Triangular Cooperation Partnership: 41,748.71 €

Total budget: 120,148.74 €

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