SB Gets Broader Access To BURS Data

Pauline Dikuelo | Monday June 8, 2015 14:50

This comes after the two entities signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last week, which will strengthen the cooperation between them. 

The MOU will facilitate the provision of timely, accurate and relevant information mainly about the business register, trade statistics, national accounts, surveys and other information that both organisations will agree upon form time to time.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Statistician General Anna Majelantle said that this partnership would help in making decisions as they are currently preparing for the National Development Planning 11 (NDP11) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).

“The information that BURS has is valuable to us for informing our NDP11, MDGs’, SDGs. This signing emphasises the need for collaboration and sharing of information. It is critical and a milestone for the country,” said Majelantle

BURS Commissioner General Keneilwe Morris said that this partnership would help in shaping the development of the economy, as it will enable SB to access critical information easily from them.

“As BURS, we are responsible for generating data that is required by SB to make accurate and timely statistics that will help in shaping our economy. 

“We also intend to have community based information centres which will enable SB to access information easily,” he said.

Morris added that to ensure that the partnership sails easily, they have set up a team within BURS that will ensure that bottlenecks that come up will be addressed immediately.

The MOU is also expected to strengthen cooperation that will provide substantial benefits to the community. 

This will be through the publication of consistent, timely and relevant statistics, users and producers through reduced reporting and administrative data provision overheads. 

The two organisations have been collaborating in data sharing, as per the provisions of the Statistics Act of 2009, which allows SB to have access to BURS Income and Tax and imports records.