Your monthly guide to the National Statistics Office News, Information and Events • Issue 4 • January-February 2018

Boost for young Statistician Tako shares experience, achievement

Kimi’s welcome message Boost for young Tako NSO in • Page 2 • Page 3 • Page 6

General Inquiries Telephone :( 677)27835/ 23951 Fax :( 677)23775 email: [email protected]

Postal contact National Statistics Office Ministry of Finance & Treasury P.O. Box G6 Honiara Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) Monthly Newsletter Issue 4 January-February 2018 Page 2

NEWSFLASHNEWS SINSO Message Government Statistician Douglas Kimi’s welcome message to readers As the central statistical agency of govern- companying photos. ment, the SINSO through this newsletter Now that the internet is increasingly becom- will ensure that information is disseminated ing a channel for disseminating news and widely to inform the public of the activities information, SINSO is very glad that through and developments that are happening with- this network (monthly newsletter), its read- in the SINSO. ers can be better and easily informed on- In this issue, we share with you the Japan line through this fact file on its active web- experience and achievements of one of our site. Feel free to read the bulletins inside n behalf of the Solomon Islands National young statisticians (Josephat Tako), stories this issue. For public interest, the issue is OStatistics Office (SINSO), I take this op- on the Government Statistician’s participa- downloadable on our website: www.statis- portunity to welcome you to the fourth issue tion in the Development Finance Assess- tics.gov.sb of our monthly E-newsletter. ment workshop held in Honiara, UNFPA The newsletter comes out at the end of This is a wonderful opportunity for the SIN- dialogue with NSO on the 2019 census every month. We hope to continue bring- SO to embrace this communication medium preparation, update on the current Village ing in interesting articles, news and facts via and to fully maximize its capacity to dissem- Resource Survey (VRS), NSO participation this medium now and into the future. Please inate statistical news, stories and informa- in the Managing Fishing revenue workshop feel free to also forward this issue to your tion to meet the needs of its readers. in , Honiara Consumer Price colleagues and friends and also feel free to This is our 4th edition thus we’re grateful Index (CPI) for December, NSO Social Sec- get in touch with our media team for further that you’re taking your time to read it. tion refresher training and more with ac- information. Kimi joins development finance assessment inception workshop

Government Statistician Douglas Kimi far right from the front row with officials that attended the development finance assessment (DFA) inception workshop held in Honiara on 8th February. Photo: UNDP/Sandra Barrows. he Government Statistician UNDP. approaches to mobilizing domestic Constituency Development Fund. TDouglas Kimi has participated The exercise will be guided by the and international, and public and Senior staff from various govern- in a Development Finance Assess- NDS Implementation Oversight private finance to support sustain- ment and private sector provided ment (DFA) inception workshop Committee. able development. valuable inputs to the discussions. held in Honiara on 8th February The assessment brings together The inception workshop came at the 2018. stakeholders from across govern- end of a two-week research mission, The DFA assesses trends in public Held at the Mendana Hotel, the DFA ment, private sector, development following the scoping mission held and private finance linked to the exercise is intended to support the partners and other key actors to an- in December 2017, that involved objectives of the NDS, analyzing the development of a Solomon Islands alyse and find solutions for financ- consultations with a wide group of sectors and industries that it prior- Integrated Finance Framework to ing efforts towards the 2030 Agenda government ministries, private sec- itizes. help attain the Sustainable Devel- and NDS. tor representatives, development The DFA identifies key areas in opment Goals (SDGs) through the Globally, development efforts are partners and civil society represent- which there are opportunities to effective implementation of the Na- being financed through new re- atives including churches. mobilize new sources of finance and tional Development Strategy 2016- sources that are alternatives to aid. Participants in the workshop dis- enhance the impact of others. 2035 (NDS). cussed preliminary findings and The DFA team with support from It has been initiated by the Ministry Recognizing this reality, currently recommendations such as the po- the NDS Implementation Oversight of Development Planning and Aid more than 15 countries around the tential for a national strategy to at- Committee will continue to guide Coordination (MDPAC) with the world have been engaged in devel- tract investment in key industries the development of the SIIFF over technical and financial support of oping and strengthening integrated as well as regulations for the Rural the coming weeks. Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) Monthly Newsletter Issue 4 January-February 2018 Page 3

NEWSFLASH Boost for young statistician “ t’s a boost for me,” laysia, Myanmar, Sa- Isays young and en- moa, Solomon Islands, thusiastic statistician Tajikistan and Timor- Josephat Tako. Leste. Hailed from Choiseul The training aims at Province, 32, Tako strengthening the works as an Assistant capacity of national Statistician within the statistical systems to Social Demography produce data, apply Unit in the National statistical methods to Statistics Office (NSO), produce official statis- Ministry of Finance & tics and indicators and Treasury (MoFT). interpret and use these Recently he attended for monitoring pro- and successfully com- gress in achieving Sus- pleted a second group tainable Development training programme Goals (SDGs). on Improving Capabil- Young Tako said the ity in Producing Offi- program is really a bo- cial Statistics for Moni- nus for him as it help toring the Post-2015 enhanced his statistical Sustainable Develop- knowledge and skills. ment Goals (SDGs) “The training has of- Josephat Tako receiving his certificate from the UN SIAP Director, Ashish Kumar. held in Chiba, Japan. fered me a great learn- fieldwork/field studyis worthwhile and I social situation of the tunity and for all the The program runsing opportunity and based on the Japan am happy to say that I prefectures through support rendered to from 21 August to 15 experience. household survey. took as much value as the activities of man- him during the course December 2017. “I acquired much from I could, not only about ufacturing corpora- of the training. It was conducted by “The lessons taught the fieldwork. technical skills but also tions/academic in Ja- “As there is a global the United Nations really boosted my sta- moral lessons,” Mr. pan. commitment to work- Statistical Institute for tistical knowledge to “It enriched my skills Tako said. The field visit involved ing towards achieving Asia and Pacific (UN be more effective and and ensured I got new The programme also observation and mak- the SDGs under the SIAP), in alliance with efficient in serving the experiences through included a field trip ing courtesy visits to slogan “No one left be- the Japan International National Statistics Of- thr Japanese house- to Hokkaido Prefec- the Japan Statistics hind”, so I am hope- Cooperation Agency fice (NSO) and the hold survey and meth- ture/Miyagi Prefecture Bureau and the Of- ful that development (JICA), and the Min- country as a whole,” he ods they use to collect from 13 to 15 Novem- fice of Policy Planning partners including Ja- istry of Internal Affairs said. official data. ber, 2017 for all the (Statistical Standards) pan will continue to and Communications Mr. Tako vowed to “In fact, household participants. of the Ministry of In- support and cooper- (MIC) of the govern- utilize the knowledge surveys are one of the The purpose of the ternal Affairs andate with developing ment of Japan. and skills acquired and main duties of the sta- outing is; Communications and country like Solomon The training involved help his colleagues in tistics office, as per- • To increase partici- the National Statistics Islands to attain these theory and hands-on producing official sta- formed by statisticians. pants’ knowledge on Centre, industrial es- goals and targets.” (practical) tasks with a tistics and indicators, “I believe if we could the statistical activities tablishment, academ- total of 27 statisticians interpret and use these learn from Japan’s of the prefectural gov- ic institutions, other Young Tako also ex- from 15 countries at- for monitoring pro- strategies, it would cre- ernment offices and in Japanese statistics di- pressed his sincere tending. gress in SDGs and also ate a way forward for particular, the field op- visions and talks on gratitude to the Gov- The participants are to produce official sta- Solomon Islands with erations of the Family the Japanese Statistical ernment Statistician from; Asia & the Pacif- tistics that would help regards to improv- Income and Expendi- System. Douglas Kimi for the ic- Bangladesh, Ghana, policy-makers for fu- ing and defining new ture Survey, and Meanwhile, Mr. Tako trust he has placed on Cameron, Congo, In- ture planning. strategies for the coun- • To enhance partici- thanked UN SIAP in him and the support donesia, Kyrgyz-stan, try’s data collection ap- pants’ understanding cooperation with JICA the NSO rendered that Lao People’s Demo- Mr. Tako said what proaches. of the role of statistics and the Japanese Gov- made his study pro- cratic Republic, Ma- interested him is the “For me, the training in the economic and ernment for the oppor- gram a success.

Mr. Tako delivering a speech on behalf of the Josephat Tako (far right) from the third row with the participants, UN SIAP and JICA officials. participants. Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) Monthly Newsletter Issue 4 January-February 2018 Page 4

NEWSFLASH UNFPA-Pacific delegates briefed on 2019 census preparation he National Statistics Office T(NSO) on Tuesday 6 February 2018 met with officials from the United Nations Population Fund, formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)- Pacific Sub-Regional Office (PSRO). The session was held at the NSO conference room in Honiara. During the meeting Government Statistician Douglas Kimi informed the UNFPA regional team of a num- ber of significant national statistical surveys the NSO has conducted re- cently and the preparatory work the office (NSO) is undertaking lead- ing up to the major Population and Housing Census next year (2019). It was a very successful dialogue as officials talked abot ideas and issues that could bolster and pave the way forward for lasting partnerships be- Government Statistician Douglas Kimi, UNFPA Officials and Dr. Willie Lahari (right). tween both organisations. Discussions with UNFPA also cen- ’s Ministry of Foreign ship between UNFPA and the NSO. “The main emphasis was on the tred around technical assistance Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to UNF- As part of the 2019 Census planning 2019 national census project docu- support and related joint collabora- PA Support. and preparatory work, the SINSO ment and how funding can be ac- tive work. The team visited different countries is currently undertaking the Vil- cessed and also in mobilizing fund- Apart from the 2019 Census de- in the pacific region to carry out the lage Resources Survey 2017-2018 ing to support the NSO together liberations, the next planned De- IP consultation dialogue on strate- and the Household listing exercise with the technical support that will mographic Health Survey (DHS) gies over the period of the cycle. which commenced last year. be required for the census come (ongoing) and the Multi-Cluster The UNFPA team also met with dif- The VRS 2017-2018 survey will col- 2019,” Mr. Kimi said. Survey were also discussed. ferent Government Stakeholders or lect information on services to the The UNFPA-regional reps were also The UNFPA-pacific team from IP within the framework of invest- village including mapping. told of the current work such as the , Office visited the coun- ment cycle. The household listing exercise will Village Resource Survey 2017-2018 try at that time to carry out Imple- Meanwhile, Government Statisti- collect households’ GPS and the (VRS) and household listing that is menting Partner (IP) consultation cian Douglas Kimi thanked the number of people per household by currently being progressed towards dialogues on strategic investments UNFPA team for the courtesy call gender. the implementation of the 2019 given UNFPA 6th Country Cycle and for the deliberations which will This is the basis for Census enumer- Census project and the national 2018-2022- (5 years plan) in view surely pave a way forward for the ation areas (EA) demarcation. government (SIG) commitment in of addition resources and support NSO in executing its national sur- The survey (VRS 2017-2018) now supporting it. from the Australian Department of vey projects and at the same time in its second phase. Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) strengthen a good working relation-

Government Statistician Douglas Kimi briefed Four of the UNFPA-regional representatives at the meeting held at the NSO conference room in the UNFPA officials during the meeting. Honiara on Tuesday 6 February, 2018.

Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) Monthly Newsletter Issue 4 January-February 2018 Page 5

NEWSFLASH Kimi lauds communities for support he country’s Government Stat- nities to cooperate with enumera- Tistician (GS) Douglas Kimi has tors and provide them with correct commended people and villages in information. Renbel, Western-Shortland Islands, The Government Statistician also Temotu and Provinces for acknowledged the VRS Project Di- the support demonstrated to the rector Raphael Aipaina, VRS staff Solomon Islands National Statistics and enumerators for their dedica- Office (SINSO) during the passage tion and hard work towards the end of the national Village Resource of 2017. Survey (VRS) and Household List- He also thanked the National Gov- ing 2017-2018 initial phase in 2017. ernment (SIG) through the Minis- The VRS 2017-2018 is a nationwide try of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) survey and it is the basis for the na- for the funding support provided in tional census count in 2019. ensuring SINSO rolling out the ini- The first phase of the survey (VRS tial phase last year. 2017-18) was effectively conducted Mr Kimi reiterated that the VRS in the last quarter of 2017 with 18 2017-2018 and Listing operations wards being enumerated. are also key prerequisite operations The 18 wards enumerated were; critical for the preparation of the • Ward 1 and 2 in the Shortland Is- forthcoming 2019 Population and lands, Western Province. (Whole of Housing Census. Government Statistician Douglas Kimi. Shortland Islands). “The success and quality of the 2019 revision of the initial plan it was de- fourth one in the series. • Ward 1 to 10 in Renbel Province. Census will also depend on the suc- layed for this year-2018 to overlap The VRS will collect information • Ward 8, 9, 13 and 14 in Temotu cessful updating of all village re- with the last phase which is the 3rd on services to the village and will Province and cords and households in the coun- segment. “The remaining wards in include mapping. • Ward 2 and 30 in Malaita Prov- try,” he said. and Renbel Prov- The household listing exercise will ince. Meanwhile, VRS 2017-18 Pro- ince from the first phase will be collect information on the loca- Mr. Kimi said the support and co- ject Director Raphael Aipaina said enumerated in the second phase.” tion of households by GPS and the operation of the people, villages/ the second phase will cover Choi- The Solomon Islands Government number of people per household by communities and organisations to- seul, Honiara City, Makira/Ulawa, (SIG) through the Ministry of Fi- gender. This is the basis for Census wards the SINSO and enumerators Malaita ward 2, and Temotu Prov- nance & Treasury is funding the enumeration areas (EA) demarca- during the course of the first phase inces and will go on for two months. VRS 2017/18 project. tion. was overwhelming and that has He said phase three which is ear- The survey (VRS) has a long his- The survey will play the role of as- been proved with the positive out- marked for Western, whole of tory in the Solomon Islands Na- sisting the SIG in providing quality come of the project’s (VRS 2017-18) Malaita, , Central Is- tional Statistics Office. Initiated in data at the village level, which is es- initial phase. lands and Isabel Provinces will be the 1980’s, it was then conducted sential, to see the impact of devel- He said that as the second phase of followed after the completion of the in 1995-1996, then in 2007- 2008 opment, and guide its development the survey is now in progress such second phase. but due to resource constraints the efforts and policy – makers in the cooperation and support must be Mr Aipaina added that the second results were only used internally in future, to improve the livelihood continued to ensure its success. phase was supposed to be conduct- preparation of the past censuses; and standard of living for all Solo- Mr. Kimi calls on villages/commu- ed end of last year, but, due to the the present VRS 2017-2018 is the mon Islanders. From page 10

This is the basis for Census enumeration areas (EA) demarcation. The VRS 2017-2018 will play the role of assisting the SIG in providing qual- ity data at the vil-lage level, which is essential, to see the impact of develop- ment, and guide its development efforts and policy – makers in the future, to improve the livelihood and standard of living for all Solomon Islanders. 18 wards were enumerated during the survey (VRS) initial stage from Oc- tober-December 2017. The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) through the Ministry of Finance & Treasury is funding the VRS 2017/18 project. Members of the VRS committee in a recent meeting at the NSO Office.

Government Statistician Douglas Kimi and VRS Director Raphael Aipai- VRS Coordinator Anthony Saomatangi and NSDS Assistant Acountant na listen attentively to Coordinator Saomatangi as he raised a point. George McKenzie in discussion.

Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) Monthly Newsletter Issue 4 January-February 2018 Page 6

NEWSFLASH NSO represents at fishing revenue workshop

(L-R) Andrew Kakate Senior Principal Statistician, NSO-Economics Unit, Donald J. Kiriau, CBSI-Head of Economic and Research Unit, Primula Mua, MoFT- Economic Reform Unit, and Lily Wheatley for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) with their certificates. he National Statis- budget and cash man- medium-term budget- responsible. where users/planners agencies throughout Ttics Office (NSO) agement; ing. “This also includes re- will have accurate in- the pacific region like within the Ministry • Strengthen the col- For Mr. Kakate the gional bodies like the formation when mak- the Secretariat of the of Finance & Treasury laboration between workshop has given Forum Fisheries Agen- ing decisions,” Mr. Parties to the (MoFT) was repre- analysts from the na- him the chance and the cy (FFA), Pacific Nau- Kakate said. Agreement (PNA), the sented at the Manag- tional fisheries agen- opportunity to learn ru Agreement (PNA), Participants repre- Forum Fisheries Agen- ing Fishing Revenue cies, ministries of fi- and excel in his area of Federated State of Mi- senting other minis- cy (FFA) and the West- (MFR) workshop in nance, central banks, work as statistician. cronesia Agreement tries and agencies in ern and Central Pacific Majuro, Marshall Is- and statistics offices to He said the workshop (FSMA), and the Sec- Solomon Islands were; Fisheries Commission lands. improve data sharing is significant given the retariat of the Pacific Primula Mua Econom- (WCPFC) where fish- Andrew Kakate Senior and forecasting; wealth of knowledge Community (SPC),” he ic Reform Unit-Minis- ing revenues present Principal Statistician • Increase capacity to and experience ac- added. try of Finance & Treas- a significant source from the Economics undertake medium- quired is a boost to his Mr. Kakate said data ury (MoFT), Donald J. of funds for national Unit attended the MFR term fiscal budgeting career. sharing is another pos- Kiriau, Central Bank budgets. workshop on behalf of and planning; “I learned a lot from itive outcome. of Solomon Islands- The weeklong event the NSO. • Support peer learn- the workshop,” Mr. He said majority of the Head of Economic & was organized and The workshop raning and the formation Kakate said. fishing industry stake- Research Unit, and facilitated by the In- from February 5-9, of professional net- On the production of holders in the region Lily Wheatley for the ternational Monetary 2018. works in the region; Gross Domestic Prod- do agree and acknowl- Ministry of Fisheries Fund’s Pacific Finan- The core objectives of • Identify countries’ uct (GDP) estimates, edge that a way for- & Marine Resources cial Technical Assis- the workshop are as priority areas for fol- Mr. Kakate said he re- ward for the industry (MFMR). tance Centre (PFTAC) follows; low-up bilateral tech- alized that there are is to share information. The MFR workshop and co-hosted by the • Strengthen the col- nical assistance; and avenues one can obtain “Sharing of informa- was attended by offi- Marshall Islands Min- laboration between • Assist professional fishing industry data tion is essential given cials from fishery agen- istry of Finance with analysts from the na- finance staff in get- (production, employ- that it will certainly cies, ministries of fi- financial support from tional fisheries agen- ting greater acceptance ment etc.) not only help GDP compilers nance, statistics offices, the Asian Develop- cies and the ministries by political decision- from fishing compa- producing sound es- central banks and rep- ment Bank (ADB). of finance to enhance makers for disciplined nies but the ministries timates for the sector resentatives from other

Officials and participants that attended the weeklong Managing Fishing Revenue workshop in Majuro, Marshall Islands.

Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) Monthly Newsletter Issue 4 January-February 2018 Page 7

NEWSFLASH Government Statistician Douglas Kimi.

Graph shows Honiara annual inflation rates from Dec 2014-Dec 2017. Graph depicts Honiara annual headline and underlying inflation rates from December 2014 to December 2017. Honiara CPI rises 0.8% in Dec, 2017 he latest Honiara Consumer sections of the index. driven by a rise of 0.3% in the price and transport operations (3.1%). TPrice Index (CPI) has shown an “The food sub-index rose by 0.6% of tobacco and 11.9% in betel nut. Mr. Kimi said apart from the above, upsurge of 0.8 per cent in the month to 170.2. This was mainly driven by Tobacco prices have been revised as price movements elsewhere in the of December, 2017. price rises in selected fresh fruits a result of an adjustment in volume consumption basket were negligi- CPI is a monthly indicator of the and vegetables sold at the Honiara (25 rolls a pack to a 20 rolls pack) of ble. variation in prices for retail goods market; most notable are kumara the pallmall cigarette. “The overall annual headline infla- and other items. heaps an increase of (4.1%), Chi- • Clothing and Footwear declines tion rate for the month of Decem- The basket of goods chosen repre- nese cabbage (24.4%), cucumber by 0.2% on account of a drop of ber 2017 calculated on a 3 months sents the spending behaviour of the (31.6%), bush cabbage (24.4%), 2.3% in the price of linen especially moving average basis was 1.8%, up population of Honiara and the re- tomatoes (6.2%) and green beans blankets and spread sheets. 0.2 percentage points from the pre- sulting CPI is used to calculate in- (15.0%). These outweighed price • Housing and Utilities rose by 0.1% vious month. flation. decreases mainly in certain goods driven by a 0.1% rise in electricity “The corresponding inflation rates “The Honiara Consumers Price In- including fruits and vegetables. charges and a 2.4% rice in the price for imported and other items were dex (CPI) for the month of Decem- “The price of rice dropped by 0.7% of kerosene. -0.8% and 3.3%, respectively,” he ber 2017 rose by 0.8 per cent from noting an adjustment in volume • Household Operations increased added. 186.4 the previous month to 187.8,” from 20kg bag to 40lbs (18.14kg). by 0.4% resulting from a rise of Meanwhile, he said the main un- said the Government Statistician Other price declines include fern 0.2% in the price of household ap- derlying rates of inflation based Douglas Kimi while releasing the cabbage (12.1%), green pepper pliances and similarly, a 0.7% rise on a 3 months moving average for statistical bulletin on Wednesday 14 (11.3%), and bush line (17.7%) to in the price of household supplies, the month of December 2017 were February, 2018. result in the rise of the overall Food especially washing powder and steel observed between -1.4% and 1.3% Mr. Kimi said the minimal increase sub-index,” Mr. Kimi said. wool. while the headline inflation rate was largely driven by price increas- Other major changes in other sub- • Transport and Communications was at 1.8%. es in food, drinks and tobacco, and indexes include; rose by 2.3% on account of price transport and communication sub- • Drinks and Tobacco rose by 2.6% rises in petrol (4.1%), diesel (3.8%) Social section staff refresher training

Josephat Tako and Florance Walekwate. Head of Section Anterlyn Tuzakana in discussion with her staff. efresher training to familiarise social section tant to ensure staff are familiarise with the sys- tional duties it’s important that staff come to- Rstaff in the National Statistics Office (NSO) tem and how it works. gether and discuss our work plans for 2018. This with the newly introduced ‘visitors data entry Besides that, on Wednesday 7 February the so- also coincides with the Performance Manage- system’ was held on Monday 5 February, 2018. cial section held their first meeting for 2018. ment Process (PMP) stage 1 for supervisors to The new system will be used for data entry pur- Mrs. Tuzakana said the meeting was to update discuss work plans with officers, aligning their poses particularly international visitors/arrivals. staff on the 2017 work progress and present to job descriptions to the work plan which will be Head of Section and Chief Statistician (Acting) them the work programme and set tasks for due on 31 March 2018,” Mrs. Tuzakana said. Anterlyn Tuzakana said the refresher is impor- 2018. “As we begin another year to perform na-

National Statistics Office social section/unit staff during the refresher training. Josephat Tako and Anna Pitaboe. Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) Monthly Newsletter Issue 4 January-February 2018 Page 8

NEWSFLASH

New Statistical Bulletins- PDF and Excel Spreadsheet Statistical Bulletins The PDF contains: - Infographics (for social statistics bulletins) - Commentary - About the bulletin (definitions, limitations and get a makeover data quality statement) ver the next few months the National Sta- tions. Others asked for more quick facts to pro- The Excel spreadsheet contains: Otistics Office (NSO) will begin presenting vide to ministers and infographics that they can -Statistical tables its statistics in a new format. easily use in a presentation. tics, commented that, “It is easy to find what you That’s according to the NSO Data Dissemination “The PDF component of the statistical bulletin are looking for. I like the infographics at the front Policy and Communication Officer Erica Tol- will still contain analysis (commentary), graphs of the bulletin as they are colourful and they give cvay. and information about the bulletin. the reader an idea of the content of the bulletin.” Ms. Erica said the ‘new look’ statistical bulletins “However it now also includes more detailed Ms. Erica said the first bulletins to take this new will have two parts- an Excel spreadsheet and a definitions, a statement about data quality and format are the Honiara CPI Bulletin and the PDF document. infographics for social statistics bulletins. The Visitor Arrivals Bulletin. “They will be followed She said regular users of our statistics will notice Excel component contains statistical tables,” Ms. by the International Merchandise Trade Bulletin the main difference is that our statistical tables Erica said. and the Crime Statistics Bulletin. are now in an Excel spreadsheet rather than a “SINSO staff are excited to start publishing in- “The Social and Demography Section have also PDF. formation using the new format.” started using the template for their monthly data “This change comes following feedback received Anterlyn Tuzakana, Chief Statistician, Social and requests,” she added. from key users on the presentation of our statis- Demography Section and producer of Visitors The NSO thanks you for your patience while we tics and conversations to understand their statis- Statistics, stated that; “The Excel template better learn how to publish using our ‘new look’ bulle- tical needs. meets user needs. It makes it easier for them to tin. We hope that the new format will better suit “Some users said they would like the NSO to use the statistics than the previous template.” your statistical needs. If you have feedback or present statistics in Excel or CSV, so they do not Anna Pitaboe, Senior Statistician, Social and De- suggestions about this new format, please con- need to enter data manually to make calcula- mography Section and producer of Crime Statis- tact the relevant statistical officer. NSO meets with stakeholders dialogue to strengthen the Na- ing relationship and improve data toring of SIG’s policies such as the Stakeholders noted their willing- A tional Statistics Office (NSO), collection particularly on visitor National Tourism Development ness to collaborate with the NSO Social Unit’s collaboration with its arrivals. Strategy, and key economic and and vowed to support the NSO, stakeholders was held on Tuesday Discussions were grounded on monetary policies of the country. social section in its mission to im- 27 February at the NSO conference tourism concepts and definitions. Anterlyn Tuzakana, Principal Stat- prove data collection particularly room in Honiara. It was an informative session as eve- istician from NSO, said the pur- Attending the meeting were; Solo- ryone discussed ideas and ways to pose of hosting such meeting with on visitor arrivals. mon Islands Visitors Bureau Chief further bolster their working rela- its stakeholders is to guarantee they Mrs. Tuzaka also used the oppor- Executive Officer (CEO) Josefa tionship for data enhancement, im- work together to produce and have tunity to brief everyone on the new Tuamotu, Solomon Islands Immi- provements and strengthening col- quality data. visitors statistical bulletin format gration Supervisor John Still Dorah, laboration. However, she said to accomplish that is soon to be utilise by the office Laurie Leketo from the Ministry The meeting gave organization that, it needs the collaborative effort (NSO). of Culture and Tourism, Brenden representatives the opportunity to of all statistics producers and users. She then thanked everyone who Mautoa from SIVB and the NSO discuss challenges faced with data Mrs Tuzakana said producing qual- Social Section staff. collection, in particular, the inter- ity data can not only benefit its us- turned up for the meeting and for The dialogue was the first for this national arrivals statistics, which is ers but can also help policy makers the continuous support rendered by year-2018 as attendee’s discussed the key source for tourism arrivals frame good strategies for future stakeholders towards the NSO. way forward to cement their work- data used in the design and moni- planning.

Participates at the meeting. SIVB staff Brenden Mautoa and SIVB CEO Josefa Tuamotu.

Immigration Supervisor John Still Dorah and NSO Data Communica- National Statistics Office, Social Section staff at the meeting. tion Officer Erica Tolcvay. Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) Monthly Newsletter Issue 4 January-February 2018 Page 9 NEWSFLASH National Statistics Office in pictures

Florance Walekwate and Anterlyn Tuzakana during the social section re- Loyce Pabulu and Josephat Tako going through the new visitors data en- fresher tranining. try system that will be used by the NSO, Social Section.

Government Statistician Douglas Kimi chairing the Village Resource Pictured here and above were NSO and NSDS staff during the Village Re- Survey meeting held on January 11, 2018. source Survey first meeting for 2018.

Joachim Gaiafuna Chief Statistician in discussion with the National Co- NSO and NSDS staff that attended the first National Consumer Price In- sumer Price Index project staff in a recent meeting held on February 13. dex meeting for 2018 held on February 13 2018.

NSO and NSDS project staff listen attentively to Erica’s presentation. Data Communication Officer Erica Tolcvay doing a presentation. Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) Monthly Newsletter Issue 4 January-February 2018 Page 10

NEWSFLASH Village and household listing survey progresses he National Village Resource ones (villages) will now be included TSurvey 2017-2018 (VRS) that in the 2nd phase. the National Statistics Office (NSO) “The same applies to remaining is currently carrying out is continu- wards from phase 1 for Malaita and ing well. Temotu provinces.” That’s according to the VRS Nation- He said while some wards in Malaita al Project Director Raphael Aipaina. (mainland) will be enumerated “Everything is progressing well with through the 2nd phase, others will only slight changes to the original be left for phase 3 listing. work plan,” Mr. Aipaina said. Meanwhile, Mr. Aipaina said to He said Honiara City, earlier ear- ensure the truthfulness of data col- marked for phase 3 has now been lected, Provincial coordinators have shifted back to phase 2. been sent to the provinces to moni- Mr. Aipaina said Malaita, Isabel, tor and validate the information Central Islands, Western and Gua- collected. dalcanal provinces, formerly as- “The exercise will be costly for us signed for the second phase, de- but we want to verify information layed for phase 3. gathered by our field enumerators. Despite the slight changes, Mr. “Also, since this survey is the basis Aipaina said the survey is progress- for the 2019 census count it is criti- ing well with the second phase now cal that whatever data we get from in progress and phase 3 scheduled the survey (VRS) is accurate and of to commence soon. quality. VRS 2017-18 National project Director Raphael Aipaina. Phase two includes; “So to authenticate information teams already on the ground. The straints the results were only used • , ward 1-14 collected by our field enumera- Temotu team on the ground now internally in preparation of the past •Honiara City, ward 1-12 tors, provincial coordinators will with one team now in the Reef Is- censuses; the present VRS 2017- •Makira/Ulawa province, ward 1- go to the provinces to cross check lands and the other in Santa Cruz. 2018 is the fourth one in the series. 20 the information with village chiefs/ •Renbel province, ward 7 -10 leaders, church leaders/elders and The Malaita team has started since The VRS will collect information on •, ward 2 and responsible provincial officers,” he the 27 February, 2018,” Mr. Aipaina services to the village and will in- •Temotu province, ward 1-7, 10 -13 said. said. clude mapping. and 16- 17 “At the moment a total of 21 field The Village Resource Survey (VRS) The household listing exercise will Mr. Aipaina said the Household enumerators are on the ground has a long history in the Solomon collect infor¬mation on the loca- listing for Renbel Province already carrying out the VRS phase 2,” Mr. Islands National Statis¬tics Office tion of households by GPS and the completed during the initial phase Aipaina said. (SINSO). number of people per household by in the last quarter of last year (2017) He said for Makira/Ulawa province Initiated in the 1980’s, it was then gender. with less than 10 villages are yet to the two teams is now on the ground. conducted in 1995-1996, then in be enumerated. “The remaining “The Honiara and the Choiseul 2007- 2008 but due to resource con- Continue page 5 About Us Our core functions The Solomon Islands best mix of timeliness, As a Central Statistical Agency of the Government Coming up in National Statistics Of- relevance, quality, and guided under the Statistics Act 1970, (Amendments fice (SINSO) is a - divi services cost for the data 2007, the Census Act 1959), our role is to: our next issue sion within the Ministry we collect. of Finance and Treasury. The Government Statis- •Design standardized statistical instruments for pro- • Labour Force Survey (LFS) roll out. Guided under the Statis- tician (GS) and his Sta- ducing Solomon Islands’ statistics: harmonized clas- tics Act 1970 (Amend- tistics Management team sifications, organizational methods and structures, • International Merchandise Trade ments 2007), the Census lead the SINSO. technical standards. Statistics for September, 2017. Act 1959, the SINSO The office is made up of •Harmonise statistical information: drawing up a set is mandated to compile four sections; the Eco- common concepts, languages and tools for producing • Honiara CPI rose 1.7% in Jan, 2018. and disseminate official nomic Statistics Unit, statistics. statistics of the Solomon Social and Demography • And more stories on the NSDS pro- Islands. Statistics Unit, Census •Produce Solomon Islands’ statistics: consolidate the jects that the National Statistics Of- The SINSO serves as the and Survey Statistics statistics of the Provinces and ensuring that they are fice is implementing. leading source of quality Unit and Executive Man- comparable. data about the popula- agement and Support •Supply statistical information: identify, analyze and tion and the economy. Services Unit. interpret Solomon Islands’ statistical data. We honor privacy, pro- Altogether there are 26 •Disseminate statistical information. tect confidentiality and staff (including the GS) conduct our work open- in the department car- •Coordinate the Solomon Islands Statistical System. ly. We are guided on this rying out duties ranging •Advise statistical systems: help to improve the na- mission by our strong from collecting, compil- tional statistical systems and promote good practice and capable workforce ing, analysing and dis- within the Solomon Islands Statistical System. our readiness to innovate seminating information and abiding commitment in the various subjects in •Promote research and development: encourage re- For media inquiries contact Nationcal Statis- to our customers. It is the different sections. search into techniques and tools for collecting, pro- t i c s O ffi c e / N S D S M e d i a t e a m o n P h o n e : 2 3 4 2 our goal to provide the cessing and analyzing data. E-mail: [email protected] Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) Monthly Newsletter Issue 4 January-February 2018