Press Release No. 04/149

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

July 16, 2004

Madagascar has begun participating in the International Monetary Fund's General Data Dissemination System, marking an important 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 (DSBB) http://dsbb.imf.org/Applications/web/gdds/gddshome.

Mr. Christian Rasolomanana, General Director of Economy of Madagascar, stated: "The country is now effectively participating in the International Monetary Fund's General Data Dissemination System to develop the national production of statistics and promote their dissemination internationally. This marks an important stage in the work of senior Malagasy staff to develop the national system for statistics production. And, in the same vein, the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Budget has established a site (www.mefb.gov.mg) providing access to additional up-to-date information on the socioeconomic situation and on other areas pertaining to Madagascar."

Mrs. Carol S. Carson, Director of the IMF Statistics Department, added: "Madagascar had reached a milestone that should allow the country to take full advantage of the GDDS as a framework for the development of its national system for the production and dissemination of 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 IMF's web site shows Madagascar's plans for improvements in its statistics infrastructure and related technical assistance needs. This information provides the international community with a useful framework to develop and coordinate their technical cooperation projects in Madagascar.