Bert Kroese CES/Paris, June 2010

1. CES seminar on the impact of global crises on statistical systems/Session : Communication and Timeliness Bert Kroese CES/Paris, June 2010

2. Introduction • Economic and Financial crisis: What is the impact on statistical systems ? • Key issue: What are users concretely asking for and what can statistical offices offer them? • The papers are very interesting and present various plans and suggestions (for some parts: rather general and not always new).

3. “In focus for the Romanian Official Statistics: Economic and Financial crisis” (Romania) • - Describes the impact on the Romanian economy • - Presents an action plan regarding “Systems of data collection and dissemination”, “Data communication” and “Data availability” • - Makes a clear distinction in plans for short run and long run: “The new special publication” • - Specific question: More information about this publication?

4. “Timeliness dilemma in a small economy” (New Zealand) • - Describes the impact on the New Zealand economy • - Describes the New Zealand system of statistics • - Focus on the trade-off timeliness - quality • - Two examples : Monthly Balance of Payments and Retail Sales Indicator • - Concrete new product: Electronic Card Transactions release • - Specific question: More information about this ECT?

5. “Improving statistical timeliness or short term forecasts? A French institutional experience” (France) • - Focus on qualitative indicators • - Qualitative surveys are an essential part of the French economic statistical system • - Widely used by policymakers and financial markets • - Specific question: What is INSEE’s opinion on the division of tasks between Eurostat and the European Commission with respect to qualitative surveys?

6. “UNSD’s role as partner in the global statistical response to the economic and financial; crisis” • - Useful summary of international meetings and seminars • - Useful distinction between “structural indicators” and “business cycle indicators” • - Pays attention to qualitative indicators • - Specific question: has UNSD information about concrete new products/statistics in the various countries with respect to the impact of the crisis on statistical systems ?

7. Question for all authors • The impact of the crisis on the statistical system can be distinguished in the following actions: • - Increasing timeliness • - More details • - Improving quality • - Product innovation • - “Statistical storytelling” • Question: give an indication of the importance of these actions in your country.

8. Exports Radar (monthly) Business Cycle Factsheet (monthly) Monthly indicator for stocks of finished products Interactive visualization international comparison YouTube on line videos (Business Cycle Tracer, inflation, consumer confidence) Shows export conditions Monitors economic situation in a bird’s eye view Describes development stocks of finished products (manufacturing) Quick comparison main economic indicators Netherlands with other EU countries Explanation and outcome: “The crisis in pictures of BCT” New products Statistics Netherlands

9. Conclusions and suggestions • Very useful and interesting papers • Attention to qualitive indicators and new products • Need for: setting priority in the general plans and concrete new products