AFRITAC East seminar

AuthorThomas Alexander
PositionIMF Statistics Department
Pages161

Page 161

Local experts identified and trained to meet growing demand for improved statistics

As part of a training program that was the first of its kind for the IMF, the Statistics Department conducted a five-day seminar in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during March 29- April 2 for prospective technical assistance experts . The seminar, which was organized in collaboration with the East Africa Regional Technical Assistance Center (AFRITAC East), was designed to identify and train individuals who would then help meet the region's growing demand for assistance in developing better national accounts and price statistics.

AFRITAC East retains a resident statistical advisor for this purpose, but demand has far exceeded what a single expert can provide. The IMF's Statistics Department helped out by making its panel of experts available to the center, but demand has continued to outstrip available resources. To ensure AFRITAC East's ability to respond expeditiously to its members' requests, the Statistics Department sought new ways to increase the supply of qualified consultants.

The Statistics Department, which has had extensive experience in delivering high-quality technical assistance and in training experts, proposed a seminar that would provide training in data assessment tools and project management and, at the same time, identify and train local candidates who could then train others. Participation in the seminar was restricted to individuals from the region, in keeping with the center's commitment to use the services of experts from the region and, where possible, to build expertise in the center's member countries.

In all, 15 participants from 11 countries were selected to attend the seminar, with preference given to individuals who had demonstrated strong technical skills in national accounts or price statistics during previous IMF courses or in work with IMF staff. Participants with a good command of French as well as proficiency in English were also sought because they could then also be available to provide technical assistance in the French-speaking AFRITAC West countries.

The principal focus of the seminar was on developing and monitoring technical assistance projects in real sector statistics. Using a combination of lectures and workshops...

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