"Better data, better life"

To proactively innovate and adapt, creating breakthrough momentum for statistical activities, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Statistics Department has been actively implementing solutions to ensure that statistical information is complete, comprehensive, objective, truthful, and accurate, promptly serving the development of strategies, plans, policies, and solutions for leadership, guidance, and management of socio -economic development of the province and all levels and sectors.

Officials at the Thanh Hoa Provincial Statistics Department are applying information technology in the collection and processing of statistical information.

The Provincial Statistics Department has closely coordinated with departments and agencies to compile and provide socio-economic statistical information to serve the guidance and management work of local leaders. In the two years (2020-2021), against the backdrop of the complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Provincial Statistics Department collected a great deal of in-depth information and coordinated with relevant units to forecast growth scenarios with specific solutions, providing local leaders with more information for guidance and management. In 2023, right from the beginning of the year, the Provincial Statistics Department issued a general inspection, examination, and supervision plan according to Decision No. 56/QD-CTK dated February 15, 2023. In addition to the 145 approved inspection periods, the Statistics Department established four inspection and supervision teams quarterly in 11 to 12 districts, towns, and cities. The inspection and supervision content includes: implementing professional training, selecting a team of investigators, reviewing the list of investigation units, and inspecting and supervising the investigators' performance at the investigation units...

Recognizing that information technology, digitalization, and artificial intelligence are key to all activities, especially statistical activities, both now and in the future, the Provincial Statistics Department has quickly developed and applied various software programs to improve productivity, efficiency, and quality. The collection and aggregation of statistical information by the Provincial Statistics Department has maximized the application of information technology, using software for timely data analysis and processing to better meet the statistical information needs of all levels and sectors, aiming for complete integration of relevant administrative data across sectors. In particular, in the work of surveying, collecting, and processing statistics, information technology has been fundamentally applied in all stages. This primarily involves direct interviews with electronic questionnaires (CAPI) using tablets and smartphones, and respondents filling out online electronic questionnaires (Webform). The application of information technology has brought practical benefits in improving data quality, increasing transparency and rigor in the statistical information production process, shortening the time for publishing survey results, and reducing statistical survey costs.

Mr. Ngo Ngoc The, Head of the Statistical Information Collection Department of the Provincial Statistics Bureau, stated: The application of information technology in statistical data collection and analysis has yielded positive results. The quality of statistical information is constantly improving, promptly serving the needs of Party and government agencies, sectors, and localities in planning, managing, promoting economic growth and development in the province, and addressing issues arising in socio-economic life.

In carrying out its professional duties, the Provincial Statistics Department has consistently achieved outstanding results annually. In particular, it successfully organized two major censuses in the province: the 2019 Population and Housing Census and the 2021 Economic Census. The implementation of 100% electronic questionnaires on mobile devices (CAPI) and online questionnaires using the internet (Webform) represents a significant achievement for the statistics sector in general and the Provincial Statistics Department in particular.

To meet the requirements of innovation and integration, in the coming period, the Provincial Statistics Department will direct the effective implementation of statistical surveys in the province according to the set plan and schedule, especially in the process of closely checking and monitoring input information, accurately reflecting the current situation and reality. It will continue to improve the analysis of the macroeconomic situation and major balances in the province's economy, promptly reflecting and forecasting changes in each sector and field; building a database system to forecast the socio-economic situation of the province, each sector, and each field, serving the leadership, direction, and management of Party committees and governments at all levels, and better meeting the needs of users of statistical information.

The unit also shares information with departments, agencies, and localities, contributing to gradually ensuring data consistency; coordinating the implementation of connecting and sharing administrative data between state management agencies to form a centralized, unified, seamless, high-quality, and efficient statistical information system. It trains and retrains the civil servants of the sector; enhances awareness and a sense of responsibility to better serve the leadership, direction, management, and administration of Party committees, government authorities, and other information users in accordance with the spirit of "Better data, better life".

Text and photos: Chi Pham

Source