NSO provides ‘necessary gauges’ – Edward Scicluna

Finance minister Edward Scicluna underlined the importance that the National Statistics Office (NSO) plays in providing the necessary information the Government requires to guide the country towards stability and greater economic growth.

Scicluna announced the new Malta Statistics Authority Board (MSA) during a visit to the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Wednesday.

The minister presented the new MSA board, which will be chaired by the former Chairman of the eurosceptic Campaign for National Independence, Albert Leone Ganado, in whom Scicluna expressed full confidence.

Scicluna also took the opportunity to thank outgoing chairman Reno Camilleri for his years of service and his contribution to the institution.

The Malta Statistics Authority Board is composed of Prof. Leone Ganado as Chairman, Aaron George Grech as deputy chairman, and Edward Zammit, Emanuel Delia, Godwin Mifsud, Ian Cassar, NSO Director General Michael Pace Ross, and Mr Robert Borg as board members.

Scicluna explained that while it is important that the MSA board be composed of technical individuals with a background in statics, outside representatives are also important.

He noted that two members of the board, Emanuel Delia and Robert Borg, were employers' and union representatives respectively.

Scicluna stressed that among its priorities for action, the MSA would be "working towards enhanced governance in the statistics sector."

"Statistics are of great importance to the country because of how they provide the necessary gauges for decision makers," Scicluna said.

"One cannot safely guide the ship of state without precise gauges and indicators in place conveying much-needed information to decision makers."

He said that this importance is in the ongoing context of the greater emphasis on statistical governance and scrutiny in the wake of how the Eurozone crisis was sparked off by an ailing member state which concealed the true state of its public finances.

"Both the European Parliament and the European Council are placing great importance on what is known as 'upstream data'," Scicluna said, explaining that this refers to data that is provided by the government.

"It is important that the existing code of conduct for governments that supply data - i.e. public financial data - is adhered to. It is one of the top priorities for the NSO," Scicluna said.

He also said that work needs to be done to ensure that duplication of data is cut down so as to reduce unnecessary administrative surveys on business entities.

The minister recognised the difficulties being faced by the National Statics Office, and acknowledges the disadvantages it faces given Malta's small size with obvious limitations with regards to expertise, capacity, and other operational issues.

He pledged his full support to the institution, and said that the government would work towards strengthening Malta's national statistics institution so that its data and the mechanisms it uses are as reliable and accurate as possible.