بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

1. بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

3. Economical Information • Afg/US$ 45.70 • GDP in US$ (Mn) 12762 • Population Growth 2.03 • GDP/Capita (US$) 500 • GDP Growth Rate 17.1 • Inflation Rate 4.9 • Life expectancy 44 • Infant Mortality 111/1000 live births • Maternal mortality Rate 1600/100000 live births

4. Central statistics organization was established in 1971 as an autonomous organization, from statistics cells of different ministries and departments. Since then CSO has been operating as the national statistical agency in the country. During years of war and conflict CSO like all other organizations suffered allot.

5. Mandate of CSO The Statistical Law (July 2006) of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has given the following mandate to CSO: “Article 2 : The Central Statistics Organization shall function, as an independent governmental administration, for the purpose of creating an integrated scientific system for statistics, ensuring harmonization and coordination of all statistical activities in the nation.” The Act also gives the CSO powers to authorize or not any other public body to conduct surveys.

6. Current Structure of CSO Currently CSO has the following main Departments: • Department of National Accounts and Price Statistics • Department of Economic Statistics • Department of Demography and Social Statistics • Department of Field Operation (including an advanced Database and Geographic Information System, GIS, Unit) • Department of Planning and Aid-coordination • Department of Finance and Administration

7. Network of CSO • Pan-Afghanistan Network. CSO has offices in all 34 provinces of the country. • CSO will have centers in all districts of the country in the future. • The staff strength of CSO is about 850 people, out of which, 250 are in provinces. • A large manpower of CSO is trained in statistical work (data collection, organization, management). Some people are even trained abroad on long-term courses.

8. Afghanistan National Statistical Plan (ANSP) • Statistical Master Plan 2004 – A vision to create a statistical system in Afghanistan. • 7-Year Capacity Building Plan 2008 –Costed Plan to implement Statistical Master Plan. • ANSP 2010 – Prioritized and Sequenced Plan for Statistical Development in Afghanistan. • Developed in close coordination with the Ministries, Departments and Donors through Task Force and Bilateral Meetings. • Has brought down cost from 120 million USD in 7-year Plan to about 30 million USD. • Ready to be implemented. • Based on ANSP funding from Statistics for Result Facilities (SRF) for capacity building was requested. SRF council approved US$ 14 millions for Afghanistan.

9. Main Activities of CSO • Administrative Data : • A new emphasis on administrative statistical system is being given as they form the real backbone of decision-making and planning processes. • data from administrative source are collected every year & presented in the form of statistical yearbook . The important sectors covered are – • Population Estimates • Health and Education (including culture and media) • Environment • National Accounts • Agriculture • Industry • Inflation and Exchange rate • External Trade • Fiscal Statistics • Donor Assistance

10. Main Activities of CSO • Census of Population and Housing : • Council of Ministers approved postponement of Census from 2008 to 2010 in June 2008. • The preliminary work for conducting of Census such as Updating of Household Listing, Pilot census etc. are delayed because of – • Lack of funds • Deteriorating Security situation • Updating of Household Listing was taken up from 6th August 2009 to 30th January 2010 and data processing is now on going.

11. Main Activities of CSO • Surveys : • National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA) • Provides important data on poverty, food security, unemployment, migration, health, education, etc. • work for NRVA survey 2011 start in April of current year with substantial changes in design to make it more effective and result-oriented. • Integrated Business Establishment Survey : Survey completed and draft Report prepared and Report launched in December 2010. • Survey on Women and Men in Decision Making – First phase of the survey covering civil servants (Grade 2 and above) completed . Data has been analyzed and Report will be launched soon . • Data-cleaning and data-entry of Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey started in December 2010. • Consumer Price Indices (CPI) surveys conducted on monthly basis.

12. Challenges Ahead • Lack of Capacity especially in view of implementation of Afghanistan National Statistical Plan and SRF. • Lack of physical and communication infrastructure especially in provinces. • Lack of statistical capacity in some ministries and departments to provide administrative data. • Multiplicity of data providers and their non-coordination with CSO although required by the Statistical law. • Lack of awareness about the importance of data at all levels. • Lack of up to date topographic maps and satellite images

13. FuturePlanes CSO plans to conduct following surveys in next 7 years • Survey on Participation of Women and Men in Decision Making (second phase ) • Labor Force Survey • Household Income and Expenditure Survey • Child Labor Survey • National Demographic Survey • National Health Survey • Census of Agriculture • Census of Establishments • Small-scale survey on Agriculture • Expanded Consumer Price Survey

14. Need for harmonization As highlighted by the third meeting of the Heads of NCOs of member countries, harmonization of statistical concepts ,definition and methods is needed to support integration and comparability of information in the region. It has to be noted that harmonization is a long term and complex process and involve real challenges to overcome

15. Tools for harmonization Compliance with international standards is an important tool to harmonize and strengthen NSOs in the region. Regional cooperation is required to compile, communicate, use and document statistical standards.

16. Areas of harmonization In line with the previous decision, major areas to be considered for harmonization can be the following: Development and maintenance of a regional statistical database. Development and maintenance of a webpage to facilitate access to different sources of data in the region. Development of a metadata to provide information about what date is available in the region. Customization of international standard for the region concepts, declination methodology etc.

17. Recommendations In order to develop harmonized statistics in the region we recommend the following : Sharing of experience among member countries / through organizing training Workshops exchange of experts, some study tour etc Customization of international standard / classifications for the region in collaboration with international agencies.

18. Recommendations • Creation of a section within the directorate of project & Economic research & statistics to look after the harmonization issues. If such section already exists strengthening it. • I would like to know the latest progress made or action being taken on these proposals and suggestions.

19. Thank you