The UAE Ministry of Finance has partnered with the International Monetary Fund to host a specialised workshop in Dubai focused on Government Finance Statistics and Public Sector Debt Statistics, reinforcing the country's push to align its financial data systems with global standards.
The joint initiative brings together institutional and technical expertise aimed at improving how government financial data is compiled and shared, with a broader goal of enhancing data quality and tightening integration across key macroeconomic indicators.
Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Under-Secretary for Government Budget and Revenue Sector at the Ministry of Finance, said the workshop reflects the Ministry's commitment to building a more accurate and reliable financial data ecosystem that supports planning and informed decision-making. He described Government Finance Statistics and Public Sector Debt Statistics as twin pillars for strengthening fiscal transparency and offering a clearer picture of public sector financial performance.
Workshop sessions covered the Government Finance Statistics Manual 2014, including its analytical frameworks, institutional scope and reporting concepts. Participants also examined core Public Sector Debt Statistics principles, covering debt instruments, valuation methods and sectoral classification.
The agenda extended to data dissemination standards, including the Enhanced General Data Dissemination System and the Special Data Dissemination Standard, alongside discussions on fiscal transparency requirements and metadata practices.
Practical sessions drew on findings from the IMF technical mission, addressing data gaps, reconciliation challenges and proposed technical measures. Discussions also explored the importance of coherence across government finance, national accounts, balance of payments and monetary statistics.
The workshop forms part of the Ministry's wider effort to develop a coordinated roadmap for advancing government financial data compilation and strengthening evidence-based policymaking across the UAE.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
