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The GCC Statistical Centre Launches the General Consumer Prices Index In pursuit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to find a number of coordinating and corrective procedural policies that will help in reducing the phenomenon of rising prices in the GCC countries, the GCC Statistical Centre launched the project of  "GCC Consumer prices index", and "the statistical centre data portal" in Muscat, Oman, under the auspices of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid Almarhoon, the Minister of Civil services in Oman. The chairman of the General Authority for statistics in Saudi Arabia, the chairman of the GCC Statistical center in its current cycle, Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi, asserted that the index number is considered to be an important tool to support decision makers in all private and public sector entities in GCC countries to prepare coordinating and corrective procedural policies that contributes in reducing the phenomenon of rising prices in the GCC countries. It is also considered to be an economic phenomenon with social dimensions. In addition, the new indicator will provide a unified prices statics data base with all its details, which will help the beneficiaries to use the information in various related fields. Talking about the statistical centre data portal, Dr. Altekhaifi added that the goal of inaugurating the portal is to enable the observation of statistical data and documenting achieved advancements in the indicators of the GCC countries in different economic, social, and energy sectors. In addition, its goal is  to provide information services that contributes in raising statistical awareness. On the other hand, in the speech of Dr. Altekhaifi, he asserted on developing and supporting the statistical and institutional abilities, to keep pace with the statistical requirements on the GCC countries' level and internationally. He also asserted that this is one of the most important common goals on the strategic level of the GCC countries. He also added that the authorities and Gulf statistical centers are seeking to continuously reinforce and enhance the quality and quantity of statistical services, and develop, expand and market the statistical publishing. Also, it seeks to show the GCC countries' region as a unified social and economic region through unifying the national statistical strategies in the GCC countries with the combined statistical programs needs according to the best international practices. Altekhaifi also explained that everyone is working on building statistical culture and raising statistical awareness, in addition to reinforcing the actual and correct use of statistical data and information in decision making and policy making in GCC countries. Altekhaifi also revealed about ten of the most important projects that are considered to be the top statistical priority determined by the GCC statistical centre, which are: the national  accounts, environment and energy, financial executive statistics, balance of payments, development, progress and sustainability indicators, short term prices and indicators, unified registered population census (year of 2020), foreign trade, administrative data, job market, and the statistical standards, categories, methodologies, and data quality. It is worth mentioning that the GCC statistical centre was established in September 2011, and its organization was approved in 2012 by the supreme council of the GCC to be the official source of statistical information and data related to GCC countries. It was also established to reinforce statistical and informational work of the national statistical centers and planning in GCC.

"Statistics" worked on six tracks in 90 days Four Days and the Statistical Sector will Start a New Era Media Center The Saudi statistical data and information sector is starting a new era after declaring the changing of the central department of statistics to be an authority named" the general authority for statistics". This transforming will start officially on Wednesday 1st of jamad first. Director of media and statistical awareness department and the spokesman of the authority, Taiseer Almufarij states that working under the umbrella of the general authority for statistics is considered an implementation of the supreme decree number ( 64283) in 26/12/1436 H which declares transforming the central department of statistics to be a general authority called the general authority for statistics. This authority is financially and administratively independent. The supreme decree gave ninety days for the transforming process. The countdown is about to finish now and this Wednesday will be the first official day to work under the new name. Almufarij confirmed that this transforming is not only about changing the name or identity, but changing content, techniques, and mechanisms as the statistical sector must cope with all the rapid changes around it otherwise it cannot go farther.  With the increase of commercial transactions, international investments, social and economic changes, mass data revolution , and the development of digital media and portable technologies, it has been a need for the statistical work to go through a vital transforming process in order to satisfy the clients and fulfill their needs which require the authority to establish a mutual partnerships, estimate their current and future needs, unify the information sources, facilitate access to this sources, and provide more advanced statistical products. Almufarij said that the general authority for statistics is undergoing a transforming plan that has six major tracks: concentration on the client strategy, developing products and services, enhancing methodologies and procedures, upgrading information technologies and infrastructure, statistical literacy and building competences, and structuring all the authority's different tasks and departments in order to keep developing the authority and making it a distinct institution. It is worth mentioning that the Saudi statistical work has started in a very early era of the Saudi development history. It has started in 1349H /1930 AD and continued for thirty years till the issuance of the general statistics system in royal decree number (23) which made the statistical work a sector that refers technically and administratively back to an official system that cooperated in organizing the statistical sector by setting the rules of relation between the central department as it is the only central department for statistics and the other sectors. This system aimed to activate the statistical work and make it more comprehensive, and raise statistical awareness. During the last fifty eight years, the department worked on many surveys, censuses, and indicators in many different fields in Saudi Arabia.

GaStat and Saudi Post Institutions Sign a Memorandum " National Address" Links Data with the Website to Raise Its Quality, and Establishes a Statistics Unified Spatial Reference GaStat starts using the national address map, which is verified by Saudi post institution, to be the base of the statistical data collection operations. It also links the data of national address in the statistical field operations. On Sunday, 22 of Muharram 1438 H, GaStat and Saudi post institution signed a memorandum to enhance the collaboration between the two entities and activate the use of national address as a geographical base of data and statistics in Saudi Arabia, so that it can be used in the 2020 population and housing census. Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Al-Tukhaifi, president of the General Authority for Statistics, said that the collaboration with Saudi post institution is all about producing and using the geospatial data and link them with the statistical data through surveys and administrative records conducted periodically and regularly by GaStat. The main objective is achieving integration between them to provide high quality statistical products that collaborate in supporting policy and decision makers. He added, unifying the efforts between the authority and the institution in the fields of geographical and spatial data collaborates in unifying the data sources by an updated, certified, and unified Saudi map. In its coming field works either for households or establishments, GaStat will provide statistical data and links them with the national address geographically, so that they can collaborate in providing high quality data in all fields. Dr. fahad clarified that this cooperation includes publishing the statistical data in a way of geographical distributions  by using the national address map, and setting unified technical principals between the two entities when dealing with data and raising the statistical awareness. On the other hand, Dr. Osamah bin Mohammed bin Saleh Altaf, Saudi post institution acting president, indicated that the Saudi post is working on the collaboration with GaStat within the Saudi post institution strategy which shows the Saudi post capabilities in the field of geospatial information  and national address for all entities, in addition to providing the statistical data and link them geographically with the unified national address. Dr. Altaf asserted that this agreement is one of the important agreements that the Saudi post made. It is considered a crucial addition in the field of accurate national statistics publishing through the national address digital maps which use the most recent  international techniques. He added, the Saudi post wants to exchange its experience and provide its services after building a national organization of the standard addresses of every Saudi location and building by using the most recent techniques, geographical information systems, and addresses standards and principals. He stressed on the importance of using the national addresses as they are considered a base infrastructure that all government electronic services and commerce rely on, so that citizens and foreigners all over Saudi Arabia get benefited from its programs.

Dr. Fahad bin Suleiman Altekhaifi, Director General of the Central Department of Statistics and Information, affirmed that the contents of the speech delivered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the outset of announcing the State’s General Budget for the fiscal year 1437/1438 AH outline a comprehensive framework for the future of the Kingdom and the effective and impactful management of its development. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s directives were clearly articulated and imbued with an ambitious vision for a more stable and prosperous tomorrow.
The economic and financial reform program introduced in the speech represents a pivotal qualitative step in the journey of construction and progress. Through this program, all state institutions will be able to respond positively to the requirements of the current phase. This year’s budget contains important details of a comprehensive and integrated action plan, with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud outlining its pillars as foundational elements for building a strong and resilient economy based on ten solid principles: diversification of income sources, growth of savings, job creation, effective public-private sector partnership, continuity in implementing development and service projects, comprehensive advancement of services, improved efficiency of public spending, enhanced resource utilization, reduction of waste, and increased competitiveness of the business sector.
These ten principles form the core agenda of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, as referenced by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in his speech. The Council has led the transformation process with distinction and will continue to lead the development efforts in the coming period, which will witness major shifts in the management of government projects.
This places an increased responsibility on the statistical sector to ensure the quality of statistical products, especially as we now stand at the threshold of a major transformation with the conversion of the Department into the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). This shift aims to align statistical, data, and informational outputs with the evolving demands of the next phase of development, as these outputs constitute the primary inputs for effective developmental planning and continuous improvement.
The Director General emphasized that the statistical sector has received significant attention from the wise leadership, in recognition of its vital contribution to the development of various social, administrative, educational, economic, health, environmental, agricultural, and industrial domains. He added: “My colleagues and I in the statistical sector will spare no effort in providing everything that contributes to the development and construction of this nation’s future to perpetuate the blessings of security and prosperity upon us.

 

(6) sections decreased, and (4) rose. "GaStat" : Cost of Living Index remains stable in September 2016 On Monday, the 23th  of Muharram 1438 H/ 24th  of October 2016 AD, the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) issued the monthly indicator of Saudi cost of living index for the month of September. It is now published on its website www.stats.gov.sa .The indicator didn't record any relative change compared to the previous month.The monthly report indicates that the Saudi cost of living index indicator recorded (137.9) in September 2016 without any relative change compared to August 2016. It recorded an increase above (133.9) from September 2015, recording a rise of 3.0% on an annual basis.The report attributed the monthly increase to the rises of four of the main sections that constitute this indicator; clothes and shoes section with (0,7%), food and beverages with (0.3%), telecommunication section with an increase of (0.2%) , and finally, furniture ,appliances, and maintenance with an increases of (0.1%).On the other hand,  six sections have decreased; commodities and services with a decrease of (1.0%), restaurants and hotels with a decrease of (0,7%), literacy and recreation with (0.4%), transportation with a decrease of (0,2%), housing, water, electricity, gas, and other types of fuels with  a decrease of (0.2%), finally, health section with (0.1%).However, the sections of tobacco and education did not change and remained stable.The cost of living index indicator issued monthly by GaStat aims at providing data about the prices of commodities and services that are in the consumer basket. It also aims at providing data about the cost of living indices within a time series. (The consumer basket) refers to the actual group of commodities and services that are recorded during the household expenditure and income survey. The relative distribution of the commodities and services consumption inside the consumer basket is extracted to make it the base stone in the process of indices calculation. The cost of living indices are used to measure any change in the prices of commodities and services that are purchased by consumer. Moreover, it is used as an accurate indicator that measures the economic inflation and recession. It is also used in statistical and economic analyses that are associated with prices movement and anticipations in different times. Data are collected by conducting interviews. The sources addresses are clarified to the interviewers to facilitate their task. The sources distribution in one city must cover all available commodities and services with all levels.

GCC "Energy Statistics" in Riyadh Dr. Altekhaifi: We aim to unify Data producers' Standards to Serve "GCC" Citizens Media center- Riyadh The Chairman of the GCC Statistical center, the Chairman of the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Fahad Sulaiman Altekhaifi expressed his thanks and gratitude towards the leaders of the GCC countries for supporting all programs and activities of the "GCC Statistical centre", as a result of their role in supporting all decisions related to the development of GCC nations. Dr. Altekhaifi asserted that the results of the Energy Statistics' Second Regional workshop about the final consumption of energy surveys held in Riyadh city meet the needs of the national and regional policy makers of the energy sector. It will also support everything that would develop the energy sector in GCC countries. Dr. Altekhaifi also added that through this workshop, the GCC statistical centre seeks to strengthen the cooperation between energy statistics producers, and unify the efforts in the used technical standards. In addition, it seeks to implement International standards by all data producers in member countries. Dr. Altekhaifi revealed that the most important role of data producers in this meeting is to reinforce the understanding of the international standards related to energy statistics in the statistics system. In addition, it aims to explain the links between energy data groups and discuss  the user's needs by enhancing the data and its publishing. Moreover, it aims to unify the efforts to raise the awareness about the methodologies needed in preparing energy statistic in the region. Furthermore,  it aims to deepen the participants' understanding of international standards that support energy statistics. Also it clarifies the importance of the final consumption surveys' system. In this workshop the participants reviews the national experiences of the member countries and the importance of the energy final consumption surveys. In addition, the participants visits several energy sector related entities in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This workshop continues until  22 March, 2016. It is worth mentioning that The GCC Statistical Centre was established in June 2011 to provide a common official pool of statistics and data for the member states of the GCC. It was also established to support the statistical work of national statistical centers and planning entities in GCC countries.. The Charter was officially endorsed in December 2012 by the GCC Supreme Council (comprised of heads of member states: United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, State of Qatar and State of Kuwait).

GaStat: Wholesale Price Index Increases in September On Tuesday, the 24th  of Muharram 1438 H/ 25th  of October 2016 AD, the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) issued the monthly indicator of Saudi wholesale price index for the month of September. It is now published on its website www.stats.gov.sa . The indicator recorded (163.1) with  0.3% increase in September 2016, compared to last month (August) in which it recorded (162.6).The indicator includes ten main sections; Food and living animals section, beverages and tobacco section, raw materials except fuel, mineral fuel and related products section, Fats and oils section, chemical materials and related products, manufactured commodities classified by material section, transportation equipment and machines section, diverse manufactured commodities section, and other commodities section.The report attributed that increase to the rise of three main sections that constitute this indicator; transportation equipment and machines section with (0.9), Food and living animals section with (0.6%), manufactured commodities classified by material section with (0.1%).On the other hand, six sections have decreased: raw materials except fuel section with (1.4%), diverse manufactured commodities section with (0.4%), beverages and tobacco section with (0.3%), Fats and oils section with (0.3%), chemical materials and related products with (0.1%), other commodities with (0.1%), However, the sections of mineral fuel and related products did not change and remained stable.The authority indicated that the Saudi wholesale index measures the average of change in the prices of commodities and services that are sold in the primary markets. What matters here is the price change only. Therefore, the changes that result from the differences in quality, quantity, shipping method, or any other influencing factor in order to get the net price are excluded. This index is provided to everyone, and conducted all over Saudi Arabia.It is worth mentioning that the wholesale price index is used to record any change in the prices of local or imported commodities. In addition to monitoring the price directions and the  status of markets and costs of living. Furthermore, it is used in preparing the national accounts by protecting the income and national aggregates from the influence of price change.

Dr. Fahad Altekhaifi, Director of the Central Department of Statistics and Information, stated that the transformation into a “General Authority” will focus on two principal areas: serving clients and beneficiaries—which encompass all entities that utilize statistical products—and enhancing the quality of these products to more effectively support data-driven decision-making that benefits both citizens and residents.
Altekhaifi explained that the statistical sector, in its new institutional form represented by the Authority and associated statistical departments, will strive to establish effective partnerships across all sectors. The objective is to consolidate the source of official statistics and accelerate their dissemination through formats and services that enable users to leverage the information and maximize its impact.
Speaking during a workshop held yesterday at the Department’s headquarters in Riyadh, which brought together more than thirty officials and specialists from various public and private sector institutions, Altekhaifi emphasized that clients are at the core of the transformation initiative launched by the Department, aimed at establishing a high-caliber statistical authority aligned with international standards relevant to development.
Government and private sector stakeholders involved in statistical work affirmed that the ongoing transformation of Saudi Arabia’s statistical sector—spearheaded by the Central Department of Statistics and Information—is advancing rapidly and cohesively, keeping pace with the evolving demands of both national and global economies.
The workshop, organized by the Central Department of Statistics and Information, aimed to engage all beneficiaries and partners of statistical products in the transition toward the establishment of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), and to develop a unified vision regarding the Authority’s current and future strategic priorities.
The Department’s meeting halls witnessed a dynamic exchange of ideas and expertise, with the participation of representatives from the Ministries of Economy and Planning, Commerce, Labor, Housing, Civil Service, Social Affairs, Education, Health, Culture and Information, Water and Electricity, and Communications and Information Technology. Also in attendance were the General Investment Authority, the Saudi Export Development Authority, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, the e-Government Program (Yesser), King Saud University, Saudi Aramco, and a number of independent Saudi consultants.