The field data collection for the second National Economic Census 2082 has begun on Wednesday. The National Statistics Office held a press conference on Wednesday and informed that field data collection for the economic census has begun.

According to the spokesperson of the office and Deputy Chief Statistical Officer Dhundiraj Lamichhane, the office has been established at the district level to obtain a realistic picture of the overall economic situation of the country through statistical means with the slogan 'Economic Census for Economic Measurement'. The office has stated that the data will be processed, analyzed and the results will be made public gradually from the beginning of the fiscal year 2083/84.

How is economic data collection done?

For the purpose of determining the size of the country's economy, the overall economic activity is divided into 21 parts according to the International Industrial Classification. The contribution made by those sectors to the economy has been measured. In this national economic census, basic details of 18 different sectors out of those 21 classifications will be collected.

‘This census will be conducted in all registered and unregistered businesses/establishments, large or small, providing a large number of jobs or operating for self-employment, industries, factories, trades and businesses, non-governmental organizations, government institutions, government or private schools, hospitals, etc., across the country,’ said Spokesperson Lamichhane. ‘However, international diplomatic missions, government offices/bodies performing public administration and regulatory functions, security agencies, and bodies performing general household activities will not be included in this census.’

To complete this census, 84 (eighty-four) District Economic Census Offices have been established in 77 districts. Originally, 4,433 trained enumerators and supervisors have been deployed to the establishments/businesses for on-site data collection from 2 Baisakh 2083 to 7 Asar. Coordination, collaboration and publicity have been done by various bodies to make data collection effective.

According to the people, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has already given a video message of public appeal, while coordination committees have been formed at the center, provinces and districts. An agreement has been signed between the office and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries to form a local level coordination committee and a ward facilitation committee, support all local level and ward offices, correspondence for coordination and facilitation, mutual cooperation to make the census successful, data analysis and statistical literacy in the coming days.

The office has stated that the agreement with other bodies related to industry and business is in the final stage and interaction and discussions are being held with more than 20 objective associations.

The national economic census provides comparative data on all aspects and sectors of the economy. The main objective of this is to collect details related to the number, geographical distribution, employment, production and service delivery of industry, trade, service sector, private business, cooperatives and public institutions. The census will help in strengthening the country's GDP estimates, producing data required to change the base year of national accounts, and formulating policies and plans set by the government and measuring the goals set through the policy.

How is the preparation going?

Arrangements have been made to provide information online. The 'Escensus' webpage is operational for this. The office has also made arrangements to use digital maps to identify census areas through geographical information. A technology-based 'Daily Reporting System' has also been prepared to obtain daily information from the establishments enumerated. A control room with a 'dashboard' has been arranged at the center to immediately resolve problems encountered in field work.

Will the data be confidential or not?

The details collected from the respondents will be kept confidential as per the Statistics Act, 2079 BS. The office has stated that they will only be used collectively for statistical purposes. The office has clarified that no details revealing personal or institutional identity will be made public or made available to any body.