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The Statistics Advisory Board held a meeting today (December 8) to review the main scope of government statistical work and its recent developments.
At the meeting, members were updated on the latest progress of preparation for the 2011 Population Census (11C).
"The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) will conduct the next population census between June and August 2011 to obtain up-to-date benchmark information on the socio-economic characteristics of the population and on its geographical distribution. The data obtained will provide key inputs to the Government for planning and policy formulation, as well as to the private sector for business planning. A pilot survey covering some 30 000 quarters in four selected districts was successfully conducted earlier this year to test the questionnaire design and the operational arrangements for 11C. Preparatory work for the 2011 Population Census is now in full swing," said Mr Fung Hing-wang, Commissioner for Census and Statistics and Chairman of the Statistics Advisory Board.
Members noted that C&SD was compiling a new set of labour force projections, covering the period from 2010 to 2029, with reference to the results of the latest set of population projections and the trends of the age-sex specific labour force participation rates. The new set of labour force projections, that provides statistics on the size and composition of the Hong Kong labour force over the projection period, is scheduled for release in end December 2010.
Statistics reflecting the current inflation situation of Hong Kong were presented at the meeting. In 2010, inflationary pressure notched up gradually amid the increasingly entrenched recovery of the local economy, mainly driven by higher food prices and continued increase in private housing rentals. Members were also briefed on the latest developments in the compilation of Consumer Price Index (CPI) series, including the work plan on updating the basket of consumer goods and services for expenditure weights of CPIs based on the 2009/10 Household Expenditure Survey (HES), and the treatment for Government's one-off relief measures in the compilation of CPI.
On application of information technology (IT), members recognised that IT was an integral part of the work of C&SD. All of data processing, statistics compilation, data analysis and data dissemination work required the use of IT. To achieve its business objectives and requirements, C&SD needs to make use of the latest IT technology. Members discussed issues on IT vision, IT environment, IT governance structure, implementation progress and outlook of strategic IT programmes.
Also reported at the meeting were the celebration activities organised by C&SD to mark the first World Statistics Day (WSD). At its 64th Session, the General Assembly of the United Nations designated October 20 as WSD to acknowledge the importance of reliable and timely statistics to informed policy decisions. Under the general theme "Celebrating the Many Achievements of Official Statistics", the first WSD on October 20, 2010 aimed to raise awareness of the many contributions of official statistics premised on the core values of "Service, Professionalism and Integrity".
The Board reviewed other statistical developments since the previous meeting, including work progress of developing the statistical framework for the Six Industries; assistance rendered in compiling an income index for use in the rent review of public rental housing; progress of various tasks relating to updating manpower projection; and preparation for the 59th World Statistics Congress of the International Statistical Institute to be held in Hong Kong in 2013.
The Statistics Advisory Board is a non-statutory advisory body which advises the Commissioner for Census and Statistics on matters pertaining to government statistical work. Its membership consists of established professionals of the business sector, the academia and the community, which provides for a wide representation to assist the Commissioner in integrating views of data users, raw data suppliers and statisticians. The terms of reference and composition of the Board can be found on the C&SD website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/about_us/our_advisory_board/index.jsp).
Ends/Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:01
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