Digital book on economic indicators launched

 Kathmandu, Jan. 3

The National Planning Commission (NPC) has launched a digital book on 'Pramukh Arthik Suchanka Prayog Bidhi' - using method of key economic indicators.

National Statistics Office (erstwhile Central Bureau of Statistics-CBS) at the NPC has designed the book.

The book includes topics such as using data in scientific writing, comparative studies, analysing and presenting data, writing an article with numbers, interpreting data, and paying special attention to key messages of survey reports.

Various indicators are explained in detail in the book. Sources of data, methods of preparation, things to pay attention to, methods of use, etc. are explained with examples based on real data.

It is divided into four parts. The first part describes the method of making statistics conversational, the second part the method of converting numbers into articles, the third part introduces key economic indicators, and the fourth part describes the use of statistics in public policy issues in detail. A total of 21 lessons are included in the book.

It is expected that the use of this book will ensure the scientific method to be adopted in the production and use of economic data, and will provide information about the things to be considered while disseminating economic indicators in a simple way before the citizens, said the NPC in a statement.

"We are confident that this book will have a positive impact on economic news or articles, with the belief that financial journalists will use this book more," said NPC Secretary Kewal Prasad Bhandari at a programme organised to launch the e-book.

He said that the book could be produced in a printed form in future if needed. He also said that explanation and analysis of statistics promote transparency and increase accountability.

Nebin Lal Shrestha, Chief Statistical Officer of NSO, said that the media and journalists can play an important role in decoding the meaning of the statistics and inform the public. "Statistics holds high importance in development planning, employment, public service and social security. Good statistics strengthen democracy," he said.

According to the NPC, only if the official statistics are accurate and of good quality, we can get real information about various events or facts related to the economic, social and environmental aspects of the society and the state.

"This helps meet the public expectations based on objective and need-based policies, plans, programmes at the local level, state or federal level. In addition, quality data  is needed for  monitoring and evaluation of national or international development goals," read the statement issued by the NPC. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 January 2023.