Business compromising policy formulation by not re...

Business compromising policy formulation by not responding to ZIMSTAT questionnaires: Mthuli Ncube

Bridget Mabanda

The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube says failure by Zimbabwean companies to respond to Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) questionnaires is affecting policies as they are formulated based on incomplete data.

In his remarks at African Statistics Day commemorations in Bulawayo, Prof Ncube said the period beginning 2005 to date witnessed a decline in responses from companies.

“Currently, we are faced with the situation where our response rates from companies are below expectation, hence compromising production of industrial statistics.

“This affects production of indices such as volume of Manufacturing Index, Index of Mineral Production, Business Confidence Index, Wholesale Trade Index, Retail Trade Index and Sectorial Capacity Utilisation,” he said.

Prof Ncube said Business Membership Organisations should conscientise their constituencies on the need to respond to ZIMSTAT questionnaires.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is currently conducting a Consumer Survey on Central Bank Digital Currency which closes on December 7, 2022. Follow this link to complete the survey

https://forms.office.com/r/WZsyGqZCv7.

Prof Ncube said business leaders across the board, formal and informal, as well as rural and urban establishments, should comply with provisions of the Census and Statistics Act, [Chapter 10:29], which compels establishments to respond to ZIMSTAT questionnaires.

“Apart from the censuses and surveys undertaken by ZIMSTAT, substantial administrative data is generated by Ministries, Departments and Agents (MDAs) as they execute their mandates. It is of paramount importance that these MDAs be supported so that there is continuous supply of data to ZIMSTAT that meet required standard,” said Prof Ncube.

He said the main responsibility of the ZIMSTAT is to produce official statistics that are used by government, business and Civil Society Organisations to formulate policies and preparation of strategic plans to ensure sustainable development.

Prof Ncube said, production of statistics in not the responsibility of ZIMSTAT alone, but it is achieved by collaboration with different stakeholders.

“I urge all government ministries, departments and agents, the private sector, development partners and the general public to participate fully in the production of statistics by complying and responding to ZIMSTAT questionnaires.

“Further, I urge the same to use statistics in planning, monitoring and evaluation of different business, social and economic development policies,” he said.

Government of Zimbabwe is advocating for a strengthened and well-coordinated National Statistical System (NSS), equipped with modern technologies, which helps to improve data collection, processing, analysis and dissemination.