Beijing, October 19, 2004 1

18th International Roundtable on

Business Survey Frames

Co-ordinating role of the BusinessRegister in Economic Statistics

session 2

Jean Ritzen, Statistics Netherlands

Beijing, October 19, 2004 2

Content and schedule of the session

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

2. What to be understood by Co-ordination (Jean Ritzen, 15 minutes)

3. Results of a survey(Jean Ritzen, 30 minutes)

4. Presentation of Sven Egmose (20 minutes)

5. Presentation by Nico Heerschap (20 minutes)

6. Discussion (20 minutes)

Beijing, October 19, 2004 3

18th International Roundtable on

Business Survey Frames

Co-ordinating role of the BusinessRegister in Economic Statistics

Introductionto

session 2

Jean Ritzen, Statistics Netherlands

Beijing, October 19, 2004 4

Co-ordination of statistics

Co-ordination in statistics means:

• Nationally:Comparable statistical output in several statistics:

1. In time series for the same statistics

2. Contemporary in output from different surveys

3. As few overlapping questions in surveys as possible

• InternationallyComparability of statistics of different countries,

contemporary and in time series

Beijing, October 19, 2004 5

Co-ordination of statistics

Basic requirements:• Comparable methodology• Normalised statistical units

• Population frame• Definitions and applications

• Use of the comparable reference period• Use of the same values of characteristics

• activity code• sector code • size class • Geographical codes

• No distortions from survey processing• Controlling survey questionnaires

Beijing, October 19, 2004 6

Co-ordination of statistics

Place and Role of the statistical business register is very important and to serve statistical processes.

In this session no discussion on definitions.

This session:• Search to (best) practises• Weaknesses and critical issues• Perceptions and feelings• Ideas for improvements

Beijing, October 19, 2004 7

Statistical Business Register (1)

What to be understood by a SBR:

Business register system

• Population frame for statistics• List of units and characteristics

• Rules and procedures for updating

• Basic reference information

• Part of surveying methodology• Sampling procedures and grossing up procedures

• Frame/tool for survey control

• Frame/tool for burden control

Beijing, October 19, 2004 8

Statistical Business Register (2)

Use of the SBR:

• Sample selection in statistical data processing (sampling and grossing up; frame function))

• Administrative survey management

• Administrative tool for processing administrative files

• Direct source for economic demographic statistics

Resulting in optimal quality of statistical output

Beijing, October 19, 2004 9

Statistical Business Register (3)

Main challenges:• Meeting traditional goals and purposes:

(Best representation of real economic world)

• Efficient use of administrative sources• Normalisation tool in the use of administrative data for

statistics: translation from administrative, legal based, concepts into statistical concepts

• Links between units of different types

• Dealing with imperfections and frame errors• International comparability of statistical data starting with

harmonised SBR-concepts • The authority of the SBR

Beijing, October 19, 2004 10

The BR and Co-ordination of statistics

Survey by questionnaire among statistical agencies

Presentation of results