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In line with social and economic development, the application of statistical data has become an essential element in everyday matters ranging from government policy formulation to business strategy planning and to the general public's daily life.
To provide quality statistical services, which help underpin Hong Kong's position as a global trading and financial centre, the Government Statistical Service (GSS), which comprises the Census and Statistics Department and statistical units in various government departments and bureaux, is dedicated to strengthen its systems further.
An updated account of the work and the development of the GSS is summarized in the 2003 Edition of "An Outline of Statistical Development", an annual publication released by the Census and Statistics Department today (May 15).
The publication depicts the main lines of current statistical activities and planned developments in the near future. Details are given on recent statistical developments in a number of social and economic areas of interest to the public. For instance, in the area of social statistics, the publication reports the release of various reports and CD-ROM products disseminating the results of the 2001 Population Census; planning work of the 2006 Population By-Census; and the conduct of various surveys on social topics to collect data to facilitate planning and policy review.
As regards economic statistics, the publication presents enhancement work in various areas. Examples include further advance in the release of results of the annual economic surveys for various sectors by some 1.4 to 1.9 months; the release of results of the new Annual Survey of Innovation Activities in the Business Sector in December 2002; the completion of the 2002 round of major revision to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); the release of new series of quarterly constant price GDP by economic activity in August 2002; and the release of the first set of International Investment Position statistics and External Debt statistics in June 2002.
Other development work includes further stepping up efforts in expanding the channels of data dissemination to enhance accessibility of official statistics, development of an Information Systems Strategy Study with a view to enhancing the efficiency of statistical work; and participation in the coming round of the International Comparison Programme.
The publication covers statistical programmes in 20 areas, including population; labour; commerce and industry; prices and household expenditure; external trade; national income and Balance of Payments; money, banking and finance; strategic planning; education; housing; health; social welfare; law and order; transport; community information; food and environmental hygiene; leisure and cultural services; water supplies; the environment; and topical studies.
It is hoped that through a systematic introduction, the publication can help members of the public gain a better understanding of the use of official statistics and the work of the GSS.
Available in both hardcopy and softcopy (in PDF format), the above publication which costs $44 per copy and other publications of the Census and Statistics Department can be purchased in person from:
(i) Government Publications Centre, Ground Floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong (Tel.: 2537 1910); or
(ii) Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19th Floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (Tel.: 2582 3025).
Internet users may purchase the publications online at the "Statistical Bookstore, Hong Kong" (Address: http://www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk) with payment made instantly. Softcopies of the publications purchased are available for immediate downloading while hardcopies purchased will be delivered by mail. Subscription to regular publications and advance ordering of upcoming releases are also available. The Statistical Bookstore is hosted on the ESD portal (Address: http://www.esd.gov.hk) together with other public services.
A mail order form for ordering or arranging subscription to hardcopies of publications is available in most publications of the Census and Statistics Department. It may be completed and sent back together with a cheque or bank draft covering all necessary cost and postage. The order form is also available for downloading from the website of the Department (Address: http://www.info.gov.hk/censtatd/eng/service_desk/forms_index.html).
End/Thursday, May 15, 2003
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