GASTAT says seeking to bridge data gap, make it available for investors

Konrad Pesendorfer, President of the General Authority for Statistics

Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) seeks to bridge the current data gab and make it available for decision makers, investors, and research institutions, GASTAT's President Konrad Pesendorfer told Asharq TV Channel.

He added that statistical data is essential to support the decision-making process, noting that his strategy at the authority includes providing reliable data.

The possibility of international data comparisons has become more important to Saudi Arabia, Pesendorfer said, adding that GASTAT works to ensure data quality and bridge gaps, as well as facilitate access to data, especially as nationals need to know statistics about the economy and society.

Regarding the privatization of the authority or providing data for some fees, Pesendorfer said it is important to consider that data is something that serves the public interest, so it must be presented at a high-quality level. Data should not also be exclusive to a specific group after paying for it.

He stressed that the offices and statistical bodies funded by public money should make their data available to all members of society.

The authority is currently working on building a database helping analysts review data development and delve into the structure of some statistics, to improve understanding of the economy and society, Pesendorfer concluded.