Press Release No. 03/214

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

December 9, 2003

Mr. João Loureiro, President of the National Institute of Statistics, commented: "The production of quality statistics is a priority of the National Statistics Plan for 2003-2007. The metadata preparation carried out within the GDDS framework has been a highly effective tool towards this goal, and has greatly contributed to the country's effort to build a modern statistical system that is both dynamic and relevant. We fully accept the main challenge ahead, and will keep the metadata updated to allow users to rely on the official statistics produced by Mozambique's National Statistical System. In summary, we can firmly state that adhering to the GDDS has directly benefited the development and improvement of Mozambique's statistical system to produce and disseminate quality official statistics in a timely manner. This contributes to enhancing the monitoring of the country's economic and social development."

Mrs. Carol Carson, Director of the Statistics Department, noted: "Mozambique'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."

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 Mozambique'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 Mozambique.

Since its inception, 66 countries have participated in the GDDS and have had their data published on the IMF's GDDS bulletin board.