Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Boost Statistical Cooperation

Manama, October 23, 2024 — President of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dossari, met with Chief Executive of Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), Mohammed Ali Al-Qaed, to discuss strengthening joint efforts in the statistical field. The meeting focused on opportunities to enhance cooperation in statistical data, developments in statistical methodologies, and the exchange of expertise between the two countries.

Context and Background

This high-level meeting underscores the deep-rooted ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain, both members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The collaboration in the statistical sector is part of a broader initiative to foster international cooperation, with a series of meetings and visits planned to build connections with statistical offices across the region. These efforts aim to facilitate the exchange of expertise, share best practices, and showcase advancements in Saudi Arabia’s statistical sector, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of data-driven decision-making and digital transformation.

Key Details

Key topics discussed included improving administrative records and developing innovative statistical products that support national development plans in both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The discussion also covered updated methodologies for statistical products and the mechanisms for sharing technical infrastructure expertise between the two authorities. Such collaboration is expected to yield high-quality, reliable data that are essential for policy-making, economic planning, and social development.

Implications and Impact

This cooperation is set to benefit both nations by enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of statistical outputs, which are crucial for monitoring progress toward national targets, including those outlined in Saudi Vision 2030 and Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. By harmonizing statistical methodologies and sharing technological infrastructure, the two countries can better address common challenges and leverage data for actionable insights. Furthermore, this partnership sets a positive example for regional collaboration in the data and statistics domain, potentially encouraging similar initiatives across the GCC.

Vision 2030 Alignment

This meeting is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building robust statistical systems that support its ambitious Vision 2030 agenda. By fostering international partnerships and embracing innovation in data collection and analysis, the Kingdom is strengthening its capacity to achieve its economic, social, and environmental objectives. Such collaborations not only enhance Saudi Arabia’s statistical capabilities but also contribute to the broader goal of regional integration and shared prosperity, showcasing the Kingdom’s leadership in the region.

20 Questions

Q1. Who met with Mohammed Ali Al-Qaed in Bahrain?

A1. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dossari, President of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), met with Mohammed Ali Al-Qaed, Chief Executive of Bahrain’s Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA).

Q2. What was the main purpose of the meeting?

A2. The main purpose was to discuss strengthening joint efforts in the statistical field, focusing on cooperation in statistical data, methodologies, and expertise exchange between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Q3. What specific topics were covered?

A3. Topics included improving administrative records, developing innovative statistical products, updating methodologies, and sharing technical infrastructure expertise.

Q4. Why is this cooperation important?

A4. This cooperation is important for enhancing the accuracy and reliability of statistical data, which supports national development plans and evidence-based decision-making in both countries.

Q5. How does this align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A5. It aligns with Vision 2030 by strengthening statistical systems, promoting digital transformation, and fostering international partnerships that support the Kingdom’s goals.

Q6. What is the role of GASTAT?

A6. GASTAT is Saudi Arabia’s official statistical agency responsible for producing and disseminating official statistics and data that support national planning and development.

Q7. What is the iGA in Bahrain?

A7. The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) is Bahrain’s government entity responsible for information technology, eGovernment, and official statistics.

Q8. Which countries are involved?

A8. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain are the countries involved in this statistical collaboration.

Q9. When did the meeting take place?

A9. The meeting took place on October 23, 2024, in Manama, Bahrain.

Q10. What are the expected outcomes of this cooperation?

A10. Expected outcomes include improved statistical data quality, innovative products, and enhanced technical capabilities, benefiting both nations’ development agendas.

Q11. How will this affect statistical methodologies?

A11. The cooperation will lead to updated methodologies shared between the two countries, ensuring more accurate and comparable statistical outputs.

Q12. What is the significance of exchanging expertise?

A12. Exchanging expertise allows both countries to learn from each other’s experiences, adopt best practices, and improve their statistical systems efficiently.

Q13. Are there plans for further cooperation?

A13. Yes, the meeting is part of a broader initiative with a series of meetings and visits planned to build connections with statistical offices across the region.

Q14. How does this benefit Saudi Arabia’s statistical sector?

A14. It showcases Saudi advancements, facilitates sharing best practices, and helps align with global statistical standards, enhancing overall sector performance.

Q15. What role does administrative records improvement play?

A15. Improving administrative records helps produce more timely and detailed statistics, reducing reliance on surveys and lowering data collection costs.

Q16. How does this align with Bahrain’s Vision 2030?

A16. It supports Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 by leveraging data for decision-making and improving public services, similar to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Q17. What technical infrastructure is shared?

A17. The sharing includes IT systems, data management platforms, and methodologies that facilitate efficient statistical production.

Q18. Who is Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dossari?

A18. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dossari is the President of GASTAT, leading Saudi Arabia’s official statistical agency.

Q19. Who is Mohammed Ali Al-Qaed?

A19. Mohammed Ali Al-Qaed is the Chief Executive of the Information & eGovernment Authority in Bahrain, responsible for digital transformation and statistics.

Q20. What is the overall importance of this meeting?

A20. This meeting strengthens regional cooperation in statistics, paving the way for data-driven development and integration, which is vital for the GCC’s future.

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