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GCC "Energy Statistics" in Riyadh Dr. Altekhaifi: We aim to unify Data producers' Standards to Serve "GCC" Citizens Media center- Riyadh The Chairman of the GCC Statistical center, the Chairman of the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Fahad Sulaiman Altekhaifi expressed his thanks and gratitude towards the leaders of the GCC countries for supporting all programs and activities of the "GCC Statistical centre", as a result of their role in supporting all decisions related to the development of GCC nations. Dr. Altekhaifi asserted that the results of the Energy Statistics' Second Regional workshop about the final consumption of energy surveys held in Riyadh city meet the needs of the national and regional policy makers of the energy sector. It will also support everything that would develop the energy sector in GCC countries. Dr. Altekhaifi also added that through this workshop, the GCC statistical centre seeks to strengthen the cooperation between energy statistics producers, and unify the efforts in the used technical standards. In addition, it seeks to implement International standards by all data producers in member countries. Dr. Altekhaifi revealed that the most important role of data producers in this meeting is to reinforce the understanding of the international standards related to energy statistics in the statistics system. In addition, it aims to explain the links between energy data groups and discuss  the user's needs by enhancing the data and its publishing. Moreover, it aims to unify the efforts to raise the awareness about the methodologies needed in preparing energy statistic in the region. Furthermore,  it aims to deepen the participants' understanding of international standards that support energy statistics. Also it clarifies the importance of the final consumption surveys' system. In this workshop the participants reviews the national experiences of the member countries and the importance of the energy final consumption surveys. In addition, the participants visits several energy sector related entities in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This workshop continues until  22 March, 2016. It is worth mentioning that The GCC Statistical Centre was established in June 2011 to provide a common official pool of statistics and data for the member states of the GCC. It was also established to support the statistical work of national statistical centers and planning entities in GCC countries.. The Charter was officially endorsed in December 2012 by the GCC Supreme Council (comprised of heads of member states: United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, State of Qatar and State of Kuwait).

Updating the general framework of population and housing paves the way for a new labor force survey "statistics" the accurate information provided by citizens is essential for governmental resolutions and projects Media center- Riyadh Supporting the resolutions of nationalization and reduction of "unemployment",  the General Authority for Statistics ( GaStat ) stresses the importance of information accuracy provided by citizens in the activities of  labor force surveys as these information are essential for the development resolutions and can determine many national programs and projects. During his participation in the first Saudi conference for job creation held in Riyadh, GaStat chairman, dr. Fahad Altukhaifi stated that the citizen is considered the base for  development building , that is through the information that he/she provides during the process of conducting surveys done by GaStat crew. As for the survey of labor force, dr. Fahad confirmed that it is one of the most important household surveys conducted by GaStat . it provides fundamental data about the labor force and its characteristics, which helps in setting the plans to develop the labor market in Saudi Arabia, analyzing and evaluating the economic policies, and helping the decision makers in setting the labor market policies with all the related issues such as unemployment and training. The labor force survey results are very important too as they collaborate in building a data base for the Saudi labor market in order to cope with the interest and anticipations of the labor force statistics nationally, regionally, and internationally. The results also support all tendencies and efforts exerted by the public and private sectors  in the process of nationalization. Moreover, they give an opportunity to collaborate in building a base for these information  that can be beneficial in preparing and planning the future economic and social development programs. The authority conducts this survey every six months , it intends to conduct it every three months in 2016 according to the latest international standards and methodologies. The authority chairman added that providing detailed data about the national and non-national labor force ,classified by their economic, social, and demographic characteristics, is one of the main objectives of the survey, in addition to its role in measuring the averages of economic collaboration, economic support, and employment and unemployment by many variables. It should also provide data about some training programs for job seekers, and be familiar with the vocational structure and the economic activity of employed people by  a number of variables and the average of their salaries. Dr. Altukhaifi thanked all governmental entities who work with GaStat . he assured that the authority is working with all governmental entities which are related to the Saudi labor market ( ministry of labor, human resources development fund, general organization for social insurance, ministry of civil services, and the national information center in the ministry of interior) in order to develop the survey on one hand and benefit from its results on the other hand. The authority is working with them also to unify the efforts so that they can get accurate data of the most important indicators in the Saudi labor market. It is worth mentioning that the labor force survey results depend on the data and information of (33.500) households, distributed among all Saudi administrative regions, as a sample that represents the society. The households are chosen according to international and scientific fundamentals applicable in the population and housing censuses all over the world . GaStat has started preparing for the next survey after updating the general framework of population and housing which depends on the 1431 framework as it is considered the main source from which samples are collected to conduct  future researches.

The GCC Statistical Centre Launches the General Consumer Prices Index In pursuit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to find a number of coordinating and corrective procedural policies that will help in reducing the phenomenon of rising prices in the GCC countries, the GCC Statistical Centre launched the project of  "GCC Consumer prices index", and "the statistical centre data portal" in Muscat, Oman, under the auspices of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid Almarhoon, the Minister of Civil services in Oman. The chairman of the General Authority for statistics in Saudi Arabia, the chairman of the GCC Statistical center in its current cycle, Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi, asserted that the index number is considered to be an important tool to support decision makers in all private and public sector entities in GCC countries to prepare coordinating and corrective procedural policies that contributes in reducing the phenomenon of rising prices in the GCC countries. It is also considered to be an economic phenomenon with social dimensions. In addition, the new indicator will provide a unified prices statics data base with all its details, which will help the beneficiaries to use the information in various related fields. Talking about the statistical centre data portal, Dr. Altekhaifi added that the goal of inaugurating the portal is to enable the observation of statistical data and documenting achieved advancements in the indicators of the GCC countries in different economic, social, and energy sectors. In addition, its goal is  to provide information services that contributes in raising statistical awareness. On the other hand, in the speech of Dr. Altekhaifi, he asserted on developing and supporting the statistical and institutional abilities, to keep pace with the statistical requirements on the GCC countries' level and internationally. He also asserted that this is one of the most important common goals on the strategic level of the GCC countries. He also added that the authorities and Gulf statistical centers are seeking to continuously reinforce and enhance the quality and quantity of statistical services, and develop, expand and market the statistical publishing. Also, it seeks to show the GCC countries' region as a unified social and economic region through unifying the national statistical strategies in the GCC countries with the combined statistical programs needs according to the best international practices. Altekhaifi also explained that everyone is working on building statistical culture and raising statistical awareness, in addition to reinforcing the actual and correct use of statistical data and information in decision making and policy making in GCC countries. Altekhaifi also revealed about ten of the most important projects that are considered to be the top statistical priority determined by the GCC statistical centre, which are: the national  accounts, environment and energy, financial executive statistics, balance of payments, development, progress and sustainability indicators, short term prices and indicators, unified registered population census (year of 2020), foreign trade, administrative data, job market, and the statistical standards, categories, methodologies, and data quality. It is worth mentioning that the GCC statistical centre was established in September 2011, and its organization was approved in 2012 by the supreme council of the GCC to be the official source of statistical information and data related to GCC countries. It was also established to reinforce statistical and informational work of the national statistical centers and planning in GCC.

Minister of economy launches the general authority for statistics and its electronic portal The authority of statistics signs 4 agreements with private and public sectors Media center- Riyadh Minister of economy and planning, chairman of the general authority for statistics, Eng. Adel bin Mohammed Faqeeh, launched the first day of working in the statistical field with a new structure and identity. This was an implementation of the supreme decree issued on 26-12-1536 H which states transforming the central department of statistics to be a general authority called ( the general authority for statistics). The authority is financially and administratively independent. In his speech that was declared in the launching event which was held in Marriot hotel, the minister expressed his gratitude and thanks to the custodian of the two holly mosques, king Salman bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, may God protect him, for his approval to transform the central department of statistics to be an independent authority. He confirmed that the work will start officially in the general authority for statistics as a result of many supreme directives, orders, and resolutions that support and enhance a lot of governmental sectors by transforming them into independent authorities that provide services compatible with the rapid changes and developments. On his part, the authority's general director, dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altukhaifi, in his name and on behalf of all the staff of the central department of statistics , and all those who work in the statistical sector , he expressed his gratitude and thanks to the custodian of the two holy mosques for his supreme approval to transform the central department of statistics to a general authority. Dr.Fahad said that this transformation process has been done through six fundamental tracks which can be briefed in a working strategy that is all about the authority’s clients and partners to fulfill the actual need of statistical products, then developing these products and services and improving statistical and data methodologies and procedures. In addition, it focuses on upgrading the level of information technologies and digital infrastructure in order to give the products the ability to start from a very tough base that can cope with all technological changes. It also concentrate on raising awareness and literacy in the statistical field, and finally structuring the authority’s different tasks and departments. He assured that the general authority for statistics’ role has become more important as long as there are national transformation projects as it is very crucial to provide accurate statistical data and effective indicators besides developing the measurement tools. On the first working day and after the transformation process, the authority’s general director has announced that the first of Muharram of the next year will be the day in which the information bank will be issued. This bank is one of the statistical development national strategy’ aspects, which aim to organize statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia, to guarantee providing the governmental sectors and individuals with statistical information and indicators through an easy and accurate technique. This is to support the development decisions via collaborative system, which starts with electronic linking between all data resources in many related sectors. Furthermore, minister of economy and planning Eng. Adel bin Mohammed Faqeeh has launched the electronic portal of the general authority for statistics. In this portal, the users can get all the needed information in very easy and direct ways through many windows and according to the international statistical and technical standards. On the first working day, four agreements have been signed with different private and public sectors. The authority has signed two agreements with the national information center in the interior ministry and e-government program (yesser). These agreements have been signed to develop the techniques of collecting, exchanging, and integrating data. The third agreement has been signed with the national center for communication, aiming to develop the mechanisms of communication with disabled people. It also aims to provide statistical content in sign language. On the other hand, the central department of statistics and information ex-directors and retired employees were honored. After the launching event, the authority held an introducing workshop with many partners from both the private and public sectors. This workshop aimed to introduce the authority and its roles. The participants watched a detailed presentation about the products and services in addition to the interactive statistics window and a brief of the statistical awareness. The minister of economy and planning revealed that the statistical sector partnership with the private and public sectors will open many opportunities for the statistical sector to be constantly developed and improved in order to be able to effectively collaborate in supporting any developmental decision taken by any private or public sector in all fields of national development. It is worth mentioning that the ministers’ council resolution issued on 13/1/1437 H included the approval of general authority for statistics structure, and made it the only authorized entity that technically and structurally supervise the statistics sector. It also made it the only responsible authority for creating thorough national statistical databases in different fields. Moreover, it made it the only responsible entity for managing the authority affairs and creating its own board of directors

More than 450 Statisticians Started this morning GaStat Launches the “Statistical Calendar” for 1438H Hajj Season Through its official website www.stats.gov.sa, the General Authority for statistics (GaStat) launched the statistical calendar for the 1438H Hajj season. It shows the publishing dates of services provided by the Kingdom to pilgrims, in addition to the statistics of domestic and international pilgrims. GaStat official spokesman, Mr. Taiseer Almofarrej, explained that the statistical calendar with its content, from statistics and numbers, aims to show the efforts made to pilgrims from more than 45 public and private entities. On the second day of the current month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the statistics of services provided to pilgrims from health and medical services, public services, transportation sector services and telecommunication services will be announced respectively. Then, the number of domestic and international pilgrims arriving to Makkah will be published and updated daily until the evening of the 9th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah when the total number of pilgrims will be announced. Mr. Almofarrej added that GaStat will issue the detailed bulletin of Hajj statistics the morning of Eied day (10 Dhul Al-Hijja ), he also added that all information will be available at GaStat official website on schedule.  On the other hand, GaStat official spokesman explained that the enumeration of pilgrims coming to Makkah has started the morning of Wednesday (1st of Dhu Al-Hijjah), by more than 450 statisticians, administrative and technicians from GaStat. They are distributed on all main centers in Makkah, Medina, Jeddah and Alta’if, and they work 24 hours until the sunset of Arafah day, next Thursday (9th of Dhu Al-HIjjah). GaStat called all pilgrims coming to Makkah for Hajj to provide the necessary statistical data required in all Pilgrims enumeration centers this year which are (Makkah/Jeddah Highway) Road , (Makkah/old Jeddah)Road, Altan’eim center(the connection road between Medina and Makkah), AlShrai’e center (the connection road between Makkah city and Alta’if city through AlSail), Alkar center (the connection road between Makkah and Alta’if through Alhada), and the Southern center ( Allaith -Jazan road  near Als’adeiah village) in addition to the Hajj statistics supportive centers in Jeddah at King Abdulaziz international airport, mass transportation stations, and other locations in Jeddah, Medina center (Abiar Ali and ‘Ashirah), and Alta’if center (Alsail Alkabeer).

GaStat: An Increase in Exports and a Decrease in Merchandise Imports of Saudi Arabia (1st quarter-2017) The value of merchandise exports of Saudi Arabia during the first quarter of 2017 amounted to (206984) million riyals compared to (140186) million riyals for the same quarter last year, with an increase of (66799) million riyals (47.7%). While non-oil exports amounted to (44849) million riyals during the first quarter of 2017 compared to (43029) million riyals for the same period last year, with an increase of (1820) million riyals (4.2%). The value of Saudi Arabia's imports during the first quarter decreased by (12.3%) to reach (125558) million riyals with a decrease of (17542) million riyals compared to same quarter last year which recorded (143100) million riyals. According to the quarterly report issued by GaStat for the first quarter of 2017, the value of Saudi merchandise exports recorded an increase of (5.2%) compared to the last quarter (4th quarter 2016) which recorded (196842) million riyals. While non-oil exports recorded a decrease of (4.5%)compared to the last quarter (4th quarter 2016) which recorded (46964) million riyals. The Saudi imports recorded a decrease of (0,05%) compared to the last quarter which recorded (125616) million riyals. The ratio of non-oil exports to imports reached (35.7%) in the first quarter of 2017 compared to (30.1%) for the same quarter last year, but this percentage was lower than the previous quarter (fourth quarter 2016), which recorded (37.4%).   The report shows that 20.4% of the imports were capital goods, 39.3% intermediate goods and 40.3% imports were goods for final consumption. The increase in the value of non-oil exports in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same quarter of last year was the result of the rise of the most important sections of merchandises exported, mainly plastics, rubber and their products, which rose by (9.8%) to the value of (14570) million riyals. The products of chemical industries and related industries increased to (13355) million riyals compared to (11361) million riyals in the first quarter of 2016, which means an increase of (1993) million riyals (17.5%). Base metals and its products increased to (3703) million riyals Compared to (3636) million riyals in the first quarter of 2016, which means an increase of (66) million riyals (1.8%). The exports of Saudi Arabia in the transport equipment and its parts, machinery, and electrical appliances and equipment section reached (6204) million riyals which form (13.8%) of the Saudi non-oil exports in this period. Regarding imports, the machinery, electrical appliances and equipment and thereof decreased by (19.3%) to reach (30191) million riyals in the first quarter of 2017 compared to (37397) million riyals in the first quarter of 2016. The imports of transportation equipment and thereof decreased to (20529) million riyals compared to (25377) million riyals (19.1%). While imports of chemical products and related industries decreased by (4.7%) to record (12638) million riyals in the first quarter of 2017 compared to (13268) million riyals for the same period last year. The report pointed out that the total volume of non-oil exported merchandise increased to (13248) thousand tons in the first quarter of 2017 compared to (13103) thousand tons in the first quarter of 2016, which means an increase of 1.1%. The volume of imports in the first quarter of 2017 also decreased to (17130) thousand tons compared to (20561) thousand tons for the same quarter of last year with a decrease of (16.7%).  On the geographical distribution of Saudi Arabia's exports of non-oil merchandise, the report pointed out that exports to Asian countries, excluding Arab and Islamic countries, are at the top of the groups that have been exported to, recording a rise of (32.1%) to register (14246) in the first quarter of 2017 compared to (10781) million riyals in the first quarter 2016. Exports to the GCC countries decreased by (4.9%) to reach (11934) million riyals, while the rest of the groups decreased to (5.3%) to register (18669) million riyals. UAE is the top country for exports in the first quarter of 2017: The United Arab Emirates, China, India, Singapore and Kuwait are the top countries for exports, as their exports formed (41.7%) of the total non-oil exports compared to (36.6%) in the first quarter of 2016. China is the top country for imports in the first quarter of 2017:  The United States of America, China, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Japan are the top countries of imports, as their merchandise imports formed (45.9%) compared to (46%) in the first quarter of 2016.

Based on record data from the Ministry of Justice GaStat Issued the Real Estate Price Index for the 2nd Quarter- 2017 On Monday  1 Dhu al- Qa’dah, 1438H (July 24, 2017), the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) issued the Real Estate Price Index in Saudi Arabia, which is based on record data available at the Ministry of Justice about real estate transactions. GaStat described the Real Estate Price Index as an important tool to support stakeholders in making economic and statistical decisions regarding the movements of real estate prices and future forecasts during different periods of time. The index includes three main sectors consisting of several types of real estate: Residential sector consisting of the following types (land, Apartment and house), commercial sector consisting of (land, building, showroom/ store or commercial centre), agricultural sector consisting of one type which is agricultural land. The Real Estate Price Index showed a decline in real estate prices for the second quarter of 2017, which reached 0.6% compared to the previous quarter (1st quarter 20170) . the index also recorded a decline of 8.6% in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same quarter last year (2nd quarter 2016). The report, which was published today, attributed the decline in Real Estate Price Index for the 2nd quarter of 2017 compared to the previous quarter (1st quarter 2017) to the decline witnessed in two of the main sectors comprising the index: the commercial sector 2.2% and the agricultural sector 0.2%, while The housing sector rose 0.2%. The decline in the Real Estate Price index for the second quarter of 2017 compared to the previous year (second quarter 2016) is the result of the decline in all the main sectors comprising the index: the commercial sector 10.9%, the residential sector 7.9%, the agricultural sector 1.0% . As part of its duties as an official reference for statistics in Saudi Arabia and as a supervisor and organizer of the statistical sector, the General Authority for Statistics has taken care to monitor the movements of the prices of the constituent units of the real estate sector and monitor the value of their transactions in various regions of the Kingdom and follow the changes that occur from time to time through the statistical product “Real Estate Price Index” which is prepared based on data  provided by the Ministry of Justice in this field, within the framework of integration and cooperation between the various governmental bodies aimed at advancing sustainable development in the Kingdom. This product aims at finding unique real estate indices that measure the performance of real estate market in the Kingdom and fill the data gap in this sector. It is an important tool to support economic decision makers. Its data benefit individuals interested in the economic and statistical analysis of real estate movements and future forecast during different periods of time.

First: Recommendations to improve efficiency of statistical entities: Second: Recommendations to improve efficiency of statistical products: Third: Recommendations to follow up indicators of sustainable development: Fourth: Recommendations to activate statistics technology use: Fifth: Recommendations to raise statistical awareness: Sixth: Recommendations to improve private sector efficiency: Seventh: Recommendation to develop inter-Gulf statistical work:

Including data of more than 57 entities GASTAT issues the 2016  annual book    The general Authority for Statistics GASTAT issued its annual statistical book (52) of the year 1437/1438H (2016).  This book is considered one of the most important statistical products that GASTAT issues to register and document all statistical data and information and present the public and private sectors’ activities. Moreover, it reflects the growth and development rates in demographic, social, and economic fields. The statistical book, which has more than 460 pages, includes the most important data and information of many developmental sectors. Furthermore, it includes the results of the statistical works conducted by GASTAT over one year, in addition to what GASTAT receives from the governmental statistical departments. The data and information have been distributed among 15 chapters. the book also specified 289 tables that contain data and information of more than 57 government entities.  The statistical book data includes statistics of population, education and training, health. Social services, social insurance, transportation and telecommunication, water and energy, labour market, prices and indices, financial and monetary affairs, national accounts, industry, agriculture and hunting, local and foreign trade, and cooperation council. In addition, it includes statistics about natural conditions, thermometers readings, some natural phenomena such as dust, rainstorms, fog, rain quantity, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed.

To develop the statistical sector and follow up the sustainable development goals Saudi Arabia participates in the (48) round of the UN statistical commission Saudi Arabia participates in the 48th round of the UN statistical commission which is currently held in the UN headquarter in New York. The commission works will continue till Saturday 10th of March 2017. The Saudi delegation is headed by Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi. Dr. Fahad said that the participation represents part of the general authority for statistics strategy in establishing international collaborations and benefiting from the best statistical practices, so that they can be reflected on the development of the statistical sector in Saudi Arabia. He added, with this participation, Saudi Arabia aims at following up all the developments regarding the sustainable development agenda and the measurement indicators that are approved by the UN statistical commission to measure the progress in achieving economic, social, and environmental goals. In addition to the effective participation that reflects the important role of Saudi Arabia in the international statistics map. The Saudi delegation will also discuss the proposed mechanisms to develop the national statistical systems and methodologies, prepare statistical policies that affect the development process to support decision and policy makers, in addition to the exchange of experiences provided by statistical, developmental, and economic international organization.  On the other hand, Dr. Fahad clarified that this round will discuss many essential topics related to the role of statistical data in the development process, and developing its methodologies and data sources and the way they are published to be available for users on the proper time. Moreover, the round will discuss the agenda of official statistical systems transformation to enable countries to update the statistical process in order to support sustainable development agenda. GaStat will participate in discussing all issues related to prices, national accounts system, economic-environmental accounting, statistical classifications, international trade, weather statistics, disability statistics, IT and telecommunication statistics, big data as a new source of official statistics, and other topics related to quality assurance, official statistics fundamentals, the preparations for the coming HH surveys, and many other topics.  It is worth mentioning that Saudi Arabia has been selected with other (11) countries from all over the world to be a board-member in the international comparison program (ICP) in the United Nations (round 2017-2019). It has been nominated by the UN statistical commission and the data development group in the world bank to represent West Asia countries. Saudi Arabia has been selected for the positive role of the general authority for statistics (GaStat) in the different statistical programs organized by the united nations. The ICP structure includes: UN statistical commission, board of directors (with GaStat membership), and the mutual team works from different agencies and coordination committees and technical consultations. In addition to the international implementing entity (the world bank), the regional offices, Eurostat, OECD, and the national offices and organizations.

Within the activities of the first Gulf Statistical Forum in March GCC-STAT is launching the Statistical research competition for young statisticians… Cash prizes for the first three winners The Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) has launched the statistical research competition for young statisticians 2017 which will be held within the activities of the first Gulf Statistical Forum that will take place from March 20th till March 22nd, 2017 in Riyadh city. The competition aims at reinforce statistical research value, raise the spirit of competition among young statisticians in the GCC countries, discover the statistical abilities and talents of Gulf youth, produce new statistical subjects and methods that keep up with the needs of Gulf societies. The competition targets young statisticians working in the statistical sector who are GCC citizens, whether working in national statistical centers or in statistical official government institutions. The competition also targets students (GCC citizens) from different Academic institutions such as colleges and universities (public and private). The statistical center has set two subjects to chose from, the first addresses a new methodology or new statistical methods in official statistics, this includes technical applications that helps in statistical work (such as new methods to collect and disseminate data), while the second subject revolves around the extent of official statistics' contribution in achieving development progress in one of the countries in the region.  To be eligible, the submitter must be a citizen of GCC countries under the age of 35 on February 20, 2017. The submitter must also be working in government official statistical sectors in GCC, including national statistical centers and other official bodies producing statistics, or a student in public or private educational institutions in the GCC countries such as colleges or universities. The applicant has the right to form his own team , each team is a maximum of three members, the research paper must be new and prepared specifically for the forum competition, and has not been previously presented in another competition or forum or has been published anywhere. It also must be within the subject of the competition and has the specific technical requirements. The applicant must attach a copy of his/her passport  and ID. February 20, 2017 is the last day for submission, and the first three winners will be awarded with cash prizes. Applicants can send their entries to the email: Competition@gccstat.org . The first statistical forum is held by the General Authority for Statistics and The Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf, under the title "Enhancing the Statistical Partnership to Support Economic Policies and Sustainable Development in the GCC Region", under the high patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – May God Protect him.  The forum will focus on main aspects;  requesting statistical data and information from national growth  tracks, sustainable development agenda and emerging international economic issues, negotiating the provision of statistical products and services to support the national growth  tracks and sustainable development agenda in GCC countries, and discussing the enhancement of statistical collaborations between data users and producers to support the economic policies and sustainable development agenda in GCC countries. GCC Statisical Forum Click here

7 sections has decreased, and an increase in the manufactured commodities and fats & oils  Gastat: the Wholesale Prices Index decreases by 0.7% On Tuesday 21 Rabi'e Al-awwal, 1438 corresponding to December 19 2016, GaStat issued its monthly indicator of the Saudi Wholesale Prices Index of November. It is now published on its official website www.stats.gov.sa. The indicator recorded (160.7) with 0.7% decrease in November 2016, compared to last month (October) in which it recorded (161.8). The indicator includes ten main sections; Food and living animals section, beverages and tobacco section, raw materials except fuel, mineral fuel and related products section, Fats and oils section, chemical materials and related products, manufactured commodities classified by material section, transportation equipment and machines section, diverse manufactured commodities section, and other commodities section.  The report attributed the increase of the wholesale prices index in November to the decrease of the 6 main sections that constitute this indicator: other commodities by (3.2%), Food and living animals section by (1.8%), transportation equipment and machines section by (0.8%), chemical materials and related products by (0.4%), miscellaneous manufactured commodities section by (0.3%), beverages and tobacco section by (0.1%), raw materials except fuel by (0.1%),. On the other hand, 2 of the main sections have increased: manufactured commodities classified by material section by (0.2%), fats and oils section by (0.1%), whereas the mineral fuel and related products section remained the same without any changes. The authority indicated that the Saudi wholesale index measures the average of change in the prices of commodities and services that are sold in the primary markets. What matters here is the price change only. Therefore, the changes that result from the differences in quality, quantity, shipping method, or any other influencing factor in order to get the net price are excluded. This index is provided to everyone, and conducted all over Saudi Arabia.  It is worth mentioning that the wholesale price index is used to record any change in the prices of local or imported commodities. In addition, it monitors the price trends and the status of markets and costs of living. Furthermore, it is used in preparing the national accounts by protecting the income and national aggregates from the influence of price change.

(6) sections decreased, and (3) rose "GaStat" : The indicator of the Cost of Living Index decreases in November by (0.2%) On Monday 20th of Rabi'e Al-awal , 1438 corresponding to December 19, 2016 the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) issued the monthly indicator of Saudi cost of living index  for the month of November. It is now published on its website www.stats.gov.sa . The index recorded a decrease of (0.2%) compared to the previous month (October 2016). The monthly report indicates that the Saudi cost of living index has reached (137.5) in November 2016 compared to (137.8) in last October , recording a decrease of (0.2%).  The report attributed the monthly decrease to the decline of the six main sections that constitute this indicator: food and beverages by (0.6%), clothes and shoes section by (0.6%), furniture, appliances, and maintenance by (0.5%), culture and recreation by (0.4%), health by (0.2%), finally, communication section by (0.2%). On the other hand, 3 of the main sections have witnessed an increase, which are: the transportation section by (0.2%), restaurants and hotels by (0.1%), and the commodities and commodities and miscellaneous services by (0.1%). Whereas, the sections of tobacco, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other types of fuels , and education remained the same with no any relative changes to mention. The cost of living general index issued monthly by GaStat aims at providing data about the prices of commodities and services that are in the consumer basket. It also aims at providing data about the cost of living indices within a time series. (The consumer basket) refers to the actual group of commodities and services that are recorded during the household expenditure and income survey. The relative distribution of the commodities and services consumption inside the consumer basket is extracted to make it the base stone in the process of indices calculation. The cost of living indices are used to measure any change in the prices of commodities and services that are purchased by consumer. Moreover, it is used as an accurate indicator that measures the economic inflation and recession. It is also used in statistical and economic analyses that are associated with prices movement and anticipations in different times. Data are collected by conducting interviews. The sources addresses are clarified to the interviewers to facilitate their task. The sources distribution in one city must cover all available commodities and services with all levels.

Issuing an indicator about the numbers of sports federations, clubs, stadiums, matches, and sports teams GaStat: 1125 teams played 4220 matches in 2015 On Monday, 6 /Rabe'a First/ 1438 corresponding  5/ November /2016, GaStat issued an indicator about the numbers of sports federations, clubs, stadiums, matches, and sports teams (2011-2015) classified according to Saudi Arabia's administrative regions  and their sports federations, ordinary clubs, and disabled and deaf people clubs. The indicator clarifies the number of matches of all individual and group games, in addition to the number of stadiums for each kind of games including closed area stadiums. It also clarifies the number of sports teams.  The indicators states that the number of sports federations in Saudi Arabia has increases from 30 federations to 35 federations in the period (2011-2015). However, the number of clubs including disabled people clubs reached 188 clubs with 1125 sports teams. 4220 matches have been played in 387 closed and open stadiums.  Riyadh region registered the highest numbers in the indicator results with 35 sports federations, 47 clubs, 722 individual and group matches, 99 stadiums for all kinds of games, and 285 teams in 2015.  In its published indicator, GaStat said that sports statistics are one of the most important cultural indicators locally, regionally, and internationally. GaStat started collecting sports data from their official reference.  Furthermore, it revealed that the indicator presents all changes in the numbers of sports clubs ,federations, and teams, in addition to the developments in stadiums during the last five years.  It is worth mentioning that this indicator was launched as part of the 45 statistical products announced lately by GaStat. Their launching constitute the first stage of the new products which include economic, social, demographic, Omrah, and labor market statistics. In addition to other statistics related to energy, knowledge, environment, culture, sport, entertainment, security, and safety.

GaStat: The cost of oil exports in September 2016 is 43.5 billion SAR On Wednesday, the 1st of Rabe'a first 1438 corresponding 2016/11/30, GaStat has issued two indicators; (oil exports in September 2016) and (The percentage of non-oil exports to non-oil GDP in the second quarter of this year). The cost of Saudi oil exports reached 43.5 billion SAR in September. Therefore, Saudi oil exports have increased by (6.2%) compared to the same month of last year ( September 2015). In this way,  oil exports constituted (81.5%) of all exports. According to the indicator descriptive data, oil exports include mineral fuel, mineral oil, distillation products, bituminous materials, and mineral waxes. The exports are composed of local commodities exports ( national exports) and foreign commodities exports ( re-export).  (oil exports) indicator showed that national exports refer to all commodity exports that are locally produced and manufactured, or those which undergone manufacturing procedures that changed their shapes and cost. However, the (re-export) indicated in  the ( oil exports) indicator means exports of previously imported commodities without any clear modifications.  As for the indicator of non-oil exports to non-oil GDP, GaStat revealed that non-oil exports constitute (10.0%) of non-oil GDP in the second quarter of 2016, compared to (11.2%) in the same period of last year. This decrease is attributed to the decrease of non-oil exports (9.8%) compared to the increase in non-oil GDP (1.0%) during the same period.  The published report defined non-oil exports as all exports excluding oil commodities exports. According to the same indicator, non-oil GDP is defined as part of GDP resulted from non-oil sector using current prices, it does not include import taxes. On the other hand, the annual change mentioned in the same indicator means growth on an annual basis. It measures the statistical change during a ( month or quarter) compared to the same period of last year. It is worth mentioning that these indicators were launched as parts of the 45 statistical products announced lately by GaStat. Their launching constitute the first stage of the new products which include economic, social, demographic, Omrah, and labor market statistics. In addition to other statistics related to energy, knowledge, environment, culture, sport, entertainment, security, and safety. Download ( Excel  | PDF ):   Oil Exports, September 2016 Download ( Excel  | PDF ):   Ratio of Non-oil Exports to Non-oil GDP, 2nd Quarter 2016 See more new indicators please click here

Issued its two indicators "exports and imports 10 key partner countries" and the "balance of trade" of Saudi Arabia "China" the main destination for Saudi exports with a value of SAR (6693) million On Tuesday Safar 29, 1438H, corresponding to November 29, 2016 the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) has issued its two indicators: (Trade directions of the top 10 partner countries for exports and imports of Saudi Arabia) and the (balance of trade) until the end of September 2016 on its official website www.stats.gov.sa. The country direction's report considered China as the main distention for exports in Saudi Arabia as the value of Saudi exports to China has reached (6693) million riyals. On the other hand, the (balance of trade) indicator showed a surplus in the Saudi balance of trade in the amount of (22470) million riyals. The results of the foreign trade directions for the top 10 partner countries in Saudi exports and imports indicator showed that Chins is the main distention for exports in Saudi Arabia as the value of Saudi exports to China has reached (6693) million riyals, making it the main distention for exports, followed by Japan and South Korea with a value of (5913) million riyals and (5106) million riyals, respectively. Unites States, India, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Taiwan, Netherlands and Bahrain are within the 10 top export destinations. The total amount of Saudi exports to those 10 countries has reached (37709) million riyals, representing (70.6%) of total exports. In September 2016, the value of imports from the United States has reached (5273) million riyals which makes it in the first place for Saudi imports, followed by China and United Arab Emirates with a value of (4540) million riyals and (1842) million riyals, respectively. Germany, Japan, South Korea, India, Italy, France and Brazil are amongst the top 10 import destinations. The Saudi total imports from these countries has reached (20227) million riyals, representing (65.3%) of total imports. In its report issued today, GaStat has mentioned the lists of the top 10 exports and imports has been prepared separately, and the top 10 exports/imports countries are the countries with the highest exports/imports values determined by the descending order of countries by the value of exports/imports for the period of study. In its report, GaStat noted the metadata and used definitions. The report showed that the total exports means the local commodity exports (national exports), and the foreign commodity exports (re-export). The assessment is based on free on board (FOB). The national exports are export of all commodities which has been produced or manufactured locally or has been gone through industrial processes that has changed its shape and value. And re-export concept refers to the exports of formally imported commodities without any obvious amendments. Finally, imports refer to all commodities entering Saud Arabia to meet the local needs after going through customs. Import of services is not included. The assessment is based on the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF). According to GaStat balance of trade, in 2016, the Saudi exports and imports have reached (53423) million riyals and (30953) million riyals, respectively. This led to surplus in the balance of trade in the amount of (22470) million riyals compared to the same month last year (September 2015) which was (6323) million riyals. In its report of metadata and used definitions, GaStat clarified that the term balance of trade means net exports, which is the difference between exports and imports of the country in certain period of time. This shows if the country has a surplus (exports greater than imports) or a deficit (imports greater than exports) in its foreign trade. It is worth mentioning, that launch of the two new indicators by GaStat comes within the framework of supporting national development. GaStat announced earlier the launch of more than 45 new statistical products which included: economic, social, demographic Umrah, labour market, energy, knowledge, environment, culture, sports, entertainment, and Security and safety statistics.

GaStat: Gross savings rate to GDP in the second quarter of 2016 is (27.46%) On Thursday 1438 -Safar-24, corresponding 2016-November-24, GaStat has issued the indicator of ( Gross savings rate to GDP) of the second quarter of 2016. It has been published on GaStat official website www.stats.gov.sa. The gross savings rate to GDP of the second quarter recorded an increase of (4.02%) registering (27.36%) compared to the same period of last year in which it registered (26.40%). Download:Gross Savings for 2nd Quarter 2016 Please click here

Targeting (33500 HH, (15600 establishments), and lasting for (37) days GaStat begins five statistical works to support social and economic development On Sunday 13 Safar 1438 H corresponding 13 November 2016, GaStat starts visiting households and establishments all over Saudi Arabia to implement a number of field works associated with five statistical surveys.  Therefore, GaStat asks all citizens and residents either individuals or institutions to cooperate with the statisticians who work in the field in all (13) Saudi regions including cities and governorates. The statistical works will last until 20 Rabe'a first 1438 H corresponding 19 December 2016. These works are targeting more than (33500 HH) and (15600 establishments), and conducted by (650 statisticians). Taiseer Almufarrij, GaStat spokesman  said that the first work will be the labor force survey of the fourth quarter of 2016. This survey will last for 24 days aiming at providing detailed data about the national labor force, measuring the employment and unemployment rates, providing data about the employed and unemployed persons, identifying the employed persons' monthly wage average, in addition to providing data about the employed persons' actual weekly working hours by occupation and economic activity, and data about regular and irregular laborers. The results of these works are essential in making developmental resolutions. However, (Omrah) survey works will begin at the same time of labor force survey works. They aim at building a database about the numbers of Omrah performers, providing accurate statistics about Omrah performers from Saudi Arabia along with foreign Omrah performers to support the 2030 Saudi vision indicators and the developmental resolutions associated with the two holly mosques. As for the economic statistical works, GaStat spokesman revealed that the economic indicators research works will start during this week. It targets the non-profit public and private establishments. Moreover, the establishments' industrial production research will start, targeting the establishments that work in manufacturing and extractive industries, electricity, gas, and water. This research aims at providing detailed economic data about all establishments. In addition, the direct foreign investment survey will begin, targeting the foreign investment establishments for the purpose of providing detailed economic data about public and private establishments which help in identifying the direct foreign investment indicators in Saudi Arabia. GaStat confirmed that all data are treated as informational base that developmental resolution makers in all related governmental entities can rely on. It is important to note that all statisticians are holding official cards and are officially charged with collecting data, so that they can be saved and treated with total confidentiality according to the general statistics system issued by the ministers cabinet. Through its website www.stats.gov.sa, the authority  gives everyone an opportunity to view the field research forms, depending on which data are going to be collected. All households and establishments are welcome to call us on 8001240440 for any enquiry about these works or any other work. It is worth mentioning that GaStat are following certified international standards in selecting samples of all its statistical works as they are considered part of the selected statistical community. These samples must represent the studied community. They also must have the community features, so that their results can be published as official statistics on the authority official website.

5 new features enable the authority clients to get statistical products using Arabic and English languages GaStat launches the second version of its electronic portal GaStat  launched the second version of its electronic portal www.stats.gov.sa . 5 new features were added to enable the clients from both public and private sectors, decision makers, and researchers to get statistical data, bulletins, and reports issued by the authority in Arabic and English. The authority asserted that the second version is one of the authority's developmental efforts in providing updated, accurate, comprehensive, and credible statistical products and services that have an added value according to the best international standards and practices. Through its portal, the authority presents its statistical products and services, so that it becomes a digital database for a lot of developmental fields. The statistics and data come in multimedia and templates that help in supporting the developmental decisions, provide those who are interested in statistics with proper knowledge, and help media in raising the statistical awareness using many interactive windows. The second version was developed to facilitate reaching the indicators and information by focusing on five new features. In this version, there is a new interface for the statistical library which displays the statistical products classified by the product issuance period and issuance periodicity ( monthly, quarterly, or annual). The second feature is the possibility of displaying 35 statistical products. However, the third feature aims at providing statistical products issuance methodologies and field survey forms, so that clients, specialists, academics, and researchers can overview the forms used in the field surveys. As for the fourth feature, it provides a separate section for the statistical products and bulletins' dates of releases. This collaborates in achieving the authority values which include independency and transparency. The fifth feature is the ability to download the products in "Excel"  and "PDF" format, so that decision makers, specialists, and researchers can download and use the files to select the appropriate indicators. It is worth mentioning that GaStat official website was designed in a way that enables everyone to browse it using computers, laptops, tablets, and smart phones.