Cooperation with OCEI on modernization of its information systems

(August 12, 1994).— A technical cooperation operation for US$250,000 was today granted to the Venezuelan Central Office of Statistics and Computing (OCEI) to partially finance the Information Systems Reconstruction and Modernization Program (PREMS), which includes a complete plan for institutional strengthening, improvement of statistical products, mechanisms of dissemination and creation of new services based on this type of information.

The agreement was signed in CAF headquarters in Caracas by CAF President & CEO Enrique García and the head of OCEI, Edgar Paredes Pisani.

PREMSI will supply both the State and society in general with reliable and rapid demographic, social and economic statistics. The restructuring of the existing information -- especially industrial and social -- will be used to support the updating of the directory of industrial establishments in Venezuela and facilitate the holding of high quality censuses and social surveys, in order to systematically follow-up implementation of policies in these sectors. Lastly, priority will also be given to systematizing and improving access to information on foreign trade.

The total cost of the program is US$922,000, of which CAF will contribute 27%, the National Center for Competitiveness 32%, while the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank and the Ministry of the Family will contribute the rest.

The CAF president said statistical information was important in the process of planning and formulation of economic and social policies because it gives a clear and precise direction to the efforts to respond to the demands of the population, with permanent follow-up of the actions taken in the country.

He said the program would satisfy the information needs of various national and foreign public and private institutions, along with individual users who need this type of statistical product to improve their competitiveness and efficiency.

"The PREMSI -- he said -- is part of one of CAF’s priority areas because it contributes to the institutional strengthening and modernization of Venezuela by defining policies which stimulate economic and social development and participation in the international context."