DED and Jordanian Department of Statistics sign MoU for sharing expertise and information

The MoU has been signed with the objective of establishing a systematic and scientific framework for compilation of statistics and information sharing, in accordance with international best practices.

Dr. Hussein Shakhatreh, Director General for DoS, and Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General Planning and Development, DED, were the signatories of the MoU. The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Nayef Al-Zidan, Consul General, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mr. Ali Ibrahim, Deputy Director General for Executive Affairs, DED and senior officials from the Department.

Mr. Al Zidan, said: 'Dubai's pioneering vision in leading economic growth has effectively positioned it as the business and investment hub in the region. Exchanging the expertise will allow mutual benefit in various economic sectors including statistical practices.'

'Statistics is the backbone of any business hub due to its influential role in the economic growth. Accurate and timely statistics are essential in building the foundation of any government department thus providing valid and reliable information for investors,' said Mr. Al Zidan.

'The ready availability of updated information in real time enables investors to take crucial and informed decisions, which play a key role in driving economic growth,' said Khalid Al Kassim. 'It is essential to modernize the statistical framework and develop a more scientific process in line with international best practices, to bridge the information gap that exists currently,' he added.

'The Jordanian DoS is one of the leading departments in its field and the DED hopes to work closely with the Department to share expertise and develop the statistical structure further. The MoU with the DoS will also position the DED as the central database of information and statistics, which is one of the strategic objectives of the DED, thus enabling it to move towards a more significant role in the knowledge economy,'

he said.

Commenting on the MoU, Dr. Shakhatreh said: 'The Government of Jordan has been working closely with regional governments to build co-operation within the Arab World for statistical information. This MoU, which is the first agreement of its kind that the DoS has signed with a government department in the GCC, will be a major step towards strengthening the existing relations between the DED and the DoS and will enable the two departments to mutually benefit from the exchange and sharing of expertise and information. The DED is one of the leading departments in the region in providing information-based services for investors and residents and we look forward to working with them to develop the statistical studies in accordance with international norms.'

The MoU includes opportunities for exchanging published studies, statistics and charts, sharing expertise, organizing mutually beneficial training courses, establishing institutional programs and projects for developing statistics study, exchanging information, organizing joint conferences, development plans and joint research.

The two parties agreed on coordinating and cooperating in a number of areas that can be beneficial such as enhancing analytical studies, developing methods and mechanisms for statistical practice including using and implementing international best practices such as the National System Accounts.

The two parties also agreed on periodical field visits for experience exchange. Both Dr. Shakhatreh and Mr. Al Kassim are considered the supreme authority for any committees, joint teams, signing agreements and plans or any other activities.