World Bank grant aims to overhaul statistics system in Laos
The World Bank has agreed to provide a grant of US$8 million grant to further support the Lao government's efforts to strengthen the National Statistical System and improve the production, availability and use of high-quality statistics.
The agreement was signed in Vientiane on Friday between Deputy Minister of Finance Santiphab Phomvihane and World Bank Country Manager to Laos Keiko Miwa.
The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from various government agencies and World Bank officials.
“This ceremony reaffirms the commitment and cooperation between the government of Laos and the World Bank in supporting the government priorities as outlined in the National Socio-Economic Development Plan,” Phomvihane said.
“This grant will contribute to modernising and streamlining the National Statistical System to ensure that it is well equipped in terms of human resources, essential tools and infrastructure to effectively produce and disseminate good and reliable statistics.”
The objective of the project is to improve the capacity of the National Statistical System to produce and disseminate reliable and timely macroeconomic and poverty statistics in accordance with international standards and in response to rising needs.
The grant is expected to contribute to the improved quality, timeliness and reliability of macroeconomic and poverty socio-economic data and easy access to statistical information for effective policymaking, good governance, and the design and monitoring of programmes and policies.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Miwa said “This grant will help the government to strengthen evidence-based policy making and the monitoring of implementation.”
“Improving statistics-related policies as well as enhancing macroeconomic and poverty data sharing and access are critical investments for the sustainable and inclusive development of Laos,” she added.
The National Statistical Centre of the Ministry of Planning and Investment will be the main government agency implementing the project in cooperation with other government bodies from 2013-2017.
