Directive No. 28/1998/CT-TTg on Strengthening and Modernizing Statistical Work

DIRECTIVE

On Strengthening and Modernizing Statistical Work 

In recent years, statistical work has gradually been improved and developed in line with the country's reform process. Statistical data have increasingly played a significant role as important bases for assessing and analyzing the current situation and development trends of economic and social conditions nationwide and at each level and sector. The content of the system of indicators, methods of collecting and processing data have gradually approached international standards.

However, in light of the increasing demands on the statistical sector under conditions of enhanced cooperation and integration with countries in the region and worldwide, statistical information has revealed many limitations and inadequacies. The system of statistical indicators is incomplete, not provided in a timely manner, some indicators do not ensure the necessary reliability, especially large-scale economic data. Statistical data have not been stored and transmitted using modern means, making it inconvenient for exploitation and utilization.

The causes of the aforementioned shortcomings and inadequacies partly stem from the capacity and professional expertise of statistical cadres and civil servants at all levels and sectors. However, they also arise from fragmented production conditions, lax compliance with laws in accounting and statistics, and inconsistent and insufficiently effective mechanisms for publicizing production and business data.

To address these limitations and shortcomings, and to enhance the effectiveness of statistical information in management and operation at all levels and sectors, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. The General Statistics Office must urgently implement the following tasks:

a) Summarize and evaluate experiences over ten years of implementing the Accounting and Statistics Ordinance, and report to the Prime Minister in the fourth quarter of 1998. Based on this, develop a draft Statistics Law to be submitted to the Government by the end of 1999.

b) Based on the need for statistical information for management and operation at all levels and sectors, review and assess the current system of socio-economic indicators, classify and supplement new indicators to ensure the consistency of socio-economic statistical data. On this basis, develop plans for collecting and providing regular data for each type of indicator: monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually, every two to three years, five years, and ten years.

c) Study and apply international standards for the system of socio-economic indicators, content, methods of collecting data, and calculations of indicators reflecting major balances and the efficiency of the economy, the results of industrialization and modernization goals, improving people's living standards, and ensuring social equity. Strive to have Vietnam's socio-economic indicator system implemented according to international standards by the year 2000.

d) Take the lead in coordinating with ministries and sectors to clearly define responsibilities in data collection and provision between the General Statistics Office and ministries and sectors, ensuring the consistency and authenticity of national statistical data comprising two sources: administrative-level statistics managed by the General Statistics Office and statistics managed by ministries and sectors. Responsibilities for collecting and providing statistical data on economic and social fields must adhere to the following principles and requirements:

- Data that can be extracted and calculated from administrative records in specific fields managed by a ministry or sector shall be the responsibility of that ministry or sector to aggregate and provide to the General Statistics Office and relevant sectors and levels.

- The General Statistics Office shall be responsible for collecting inter-sectoral data and data that ministries and sectors lack the conditions to collect or collect but cannot ensure objectivity and cost-effectiveness.

đ) Develop information technology, build databases and statistical information networks nationwide, ensuring convenient transmission and exploitation of statistical data.

e) Develop a "Program for Developing Statistical Work Phase 2001-2020" to be submitted to the Government in 2000, aiming to leverage the effectiveness of statistics as an efficient management tool, meeting the needs for evaluating, analyzing the current situation, and forecasting economic and social conditions nationwide and at each level and sector.

2. Ministries and sectors should evaluate the current status, strengths, and weaknesses of their statistical organizations to take corrective measures. Based on the data systems they are responsible for aggregating and providing, they should consolidate their organizations, ensuring adequate staffing and necessary conditions to gradually improve the quality and modernize statistical work.

For ministries and sectors that self-provide most of the necessary statistical data based on compiling information from administrative records, the statistical system should be established from central to local levels to implement data provision within the entire sector and each management level.

For ministries and sectors managing production and business areas where most statistical information is collected and provided by the General Statistics Office, the statistical organization mainly focuses on survey data collection to meet specialized and technical operational guidance requirements.

3. The General Statistics Office, ministries, sectors, and People's Committees at all levels must regularly inspect and supervise to promptly detect and handle violations in statistical work.

4. The Ministry of Finance must allocate funds for statistical data collection, processing, and analysis in the annual budget of the General Statistics Office and ministries and sectors.

5. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, and Chairpersons of provincial and municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government are responsible for implementing this Directive.