Press Release: Rwanda Formally Begins Participation in the IMF's General Data Dissemination System

November 3, 2003


Rwanda has begun participating in the International Monetary Fund's General Data Dissemination System (GDDS), marking a major step forward in the development of the country's statistical system. Comprehensive information on its statistical production and dissemination practices was published on the IMF's Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board (http://dsbb.imf.org/Applications/web/gdds/gddshome/) starting on October 31, 2003.

Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, commented: "Rwanda places a high priority on quality statistics. Joining the group of GDDS countries reflects this commitment. GDDS membership is also a milestone for implementing Rwanda's ambitious strategy for statistical capacity building. GDDS participation will help us to better monitor economic and social developments, and support sound economic and social policy."

The GDDS, established by the IMF in 1997, provides a framework to assist IMF member countries to develop their statistical systems with the objective of producing comprehensive and accurate statistics for policy-making and analysis. It addresses the quality and the dissemination of data. In addition, the website shows Rwanda's plans for improvements in its statistics infrastructure and the related technical assistance needs. This information provides the international community with a useful framework to develop and coordinate their technical cooperation projects in Rwanda.

At present, 62 countries are participating in the GDDS and have their data published on the IMF's GDDS bulletin board.

Mrs. Carol Carson, Director of the Statistics Department, noted: "Rwanda's participation in the General Data Dissemination System is a major accomplishment and will allow the country to take full advantage of this framework for developing its economic, financial, and socio-demographic data."






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