Press Release No. 08/113

Press Release: San Marino Begins Participation in the IMF's General Data Dissemination System

May 16, 2008

San Marino began participating in the International Monetary Fund's (IMF's) General Data Dissemination System (GDDS) on May 16, 2008, marking a major step forward in the development of its statistical system. Comprehensive information on San Marino's statistical production and dissemination practices now appears on the IMF's Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board (http://dsbb.imf.org/Applications/web/gdds/gddscountrylist/).

To mark the occasion, Mr. Stefano Macina, the Secretary of Finance and Budget of San Marino, stated: "The authorities of San Marino recognize the necessity and the importance of bringing about improvements in the country's statistical system. In the fall of 2007, during the IMF Annual Meetings, representatives of San Marino agreed with the IMF on improving transparency and compilation of data through the adoption of the GDDS. In this context, I am very pleased that the Republic of San Marino has commenced its participation in the GDDS. The GDDS provides an excellent framework for the development of statistical systems, and participation in it demonstrates the commitment of the data-producing agencies to implement short-and medium-term plans to strengthen the statistical system and to monitor progress. I am confident that San Marino's participation in the GDDS will lead to more reliable and timely statistical production and dissemination."

The IMF Statistics Department Director, Mr. Robert W. Edwards welcomed San Marino's participation in the GDDS and observed: "San Marino's participation in the GDDS is a milestone in the country's statistical development. I am confident that San Marino will benefit from using the GDDS as a framework for further development of its statistical system."

The GDDS was established by the IMF in 1997. It provides a framework to help countries to develop their statistical systems to produce comprehensive and accurate statistics for policymaking and analysis. San Marino is the 92^nd GDDS participant.