Changes to the Statistics Act
To strengthen Singapore's statistical system, several changes were made to the Statistics Act in 1990, in response to the cumulative changes in circumstances and latest developments in statistical collection and co-ordination:
- The Chief Statistician is designated as the National Statistical Co-ordinator;
- All gazetted RSUs are required to comply with the recommendations of the Chief Statistician, with provisions for recourse to the Minister to resolve differences; and
- The Chief Statistician is empowered to direct the director of any gazetted RSU to furnish or supply to him information obtained under Section 6 of the Statistics Act and to direct any competent authorities to furnish or supply to him any particulars or information obtained from certain specified acts in the Third Schedule of the Statistics Act.
Enhancing Statistical Processes through Technological Innovation
Parallel with the legislative changes, statistical developments in Singapore have also evolved in tandem with technological developments. The 1990s saw rapid advances in information and communications technology (ICT) and widespread use of the internet. ICT innovations played a major role in streamlining and enhancing data collection, compilation and dissemination processes.
The growing importance of ICT applications in various aspects of the economy also created an emerging need for statistical measurement of electronic transactions in commerce and their contribution to the economy, leading to the launch of a new series of statistical surveys in the 1990s.
Key Statistical Developments in the 1990s
Internet submission mode (e-survey service) was first made available for businesses to submit their survey returns.
The National Dwellings Database (NDD) was enhanced to incorporate additional data items for analysis.
Estimates of Gross Domestic Product by the income approach were first published.
The Quarterly Survey of Services was launched.
The Electronic Transmission of Returns (ETR) System was introduced for online submission of returns in the Business Expectations Survey.
The SingStat DataShop was launched to enable the purchase of Singapore official statistics through credit card and cash card via the internet.
Seventh Household Expenditure Survey was conducted, with Optical Mark Reader implemented to capture data on availability of consumer durables.
The Domestic and Foreign Wholesale Trade Indices were first released.
The Survey of Debt Transactions with non-residents was launched.
Estimates of Multi-Factor Productivity Growth were first released.
The 'Monthly Digest of Statistics' and 'Yearbook of Statistics' were first produced from an automated publication system.
The Time Series Retrieval and Dissemination (TREND) System was redeveloped from the PATS Database and opened for public subscription.
The Commercial Establishment Information System (CEIS) was redeveloped from the Establishment Hub and launched for subscription by public sector organisations.
The Survey on International Trade in Services and quarterly Wholesale Trade Survey were initiated.
MTI Telelink, a telephone information service, was launched.
The DOS internet website (SingStat website) was unveiled.
The first mid-decade General Household Survey was launched.
A joint project on Tourism Satellite Account with Singapore Tourism Board was initiated.
Development of the Household Registration Database was initiated.
The Survey of Consumer Credit in Singapore was launched.
Sixth Household Expenditure Survey was conducted, with a reduction of recording period from 1 month to 2 weeks to reduce respondent burden.