Delegation of the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia (ROSSTAT) led by its head Alexander Surinov paid a two-day visit to the National Statistical Institute. The main purpose of the visit was to explore NSI’s experience in the preparation and implementation of eCensus, as 41% of Bulgarian citizens successfully took advantage of it in February 2011.

Mr. Surinov visited Veliko Tarnovo, where he met with the District Governor, Mr. Pencho Penchev and Deputy Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo Mr. Gancho Karabadzhakov and got acquainted with the Bulgarian experience in the production and usage of regional statistics in development of strategic documents for socio-economic development. In his meeting with the media the head of ROSSTAT defined the eCensus as a unique achievement of Bulgarian statistics and a modern method which helps to save money and achieve a higher quality of statistical data. Russian statisticians were keen to learn from the experience of Bulgaria, being a member of the EU, and with respect to the new European standards in the field of statistics.

New specific topics and areas for exchange of good statistical practice between NSI and ROSSTAT were identified during the visit.