National Statistical Institute (www.nsi.bg)

Federal State Statistics Service of Russia studies the experience of NSI in eCensus

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:10:00 +0200

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.

Consumer Survey, January 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0200

In January 2012 the total consumer confidence indicator decreases by 2.2 percentage points in comparison with its level in October 2011 which is due entirely to a worsening of consumer confidence among the urban population.

Preliminary Labour Force Survey Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2011

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0200

NSI presents preliminary results from the Labour Force Survey for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Building Permits Issued and Construction of New Buildings Started in the Fourth Quarter of 2011

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0200

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the municipal authorities have issued building permits for construction of 1 194 residential buildings with 2 945 dwellings, of 56 administrative buildings/offices and of 1 563 other buildings. The construction of 640 residential buildings with 1 740 dwellings, of 28 administrative buildings/offices and of 670 other buildings has been started.

NSI website with new “Quality” section

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:25:00 +0200

Due to the need to promote the quality management activities in the National Statistical System, NSI offers to users a new "Quality" section.

Production and dissemination of high-quality and timely statistics is a priority for the European Statistical System (ESS). In the quality management the European Statistics Code of Practice principles are applied, which sets the standard for developing, producing and disseminating European statistics, and guarantees the proper functioning of the ESS.

The National Statistical System (NSS), as an integral part of the ESS, aims to provide quality statistical information and to meet the needs of different user groups. At national level, NSI plays a leading methodological and coordinating role in the development, production and dissemination of statistical information. Improving the quality of statistical information is continuously carried out, seeking the lowest possible costs and reducing the respondents’ burden.

In the quality assessment and quality documentation of statistical data, NSI produces quality reports, which are provided to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Quality reports contain information on the survey methodology, description of main quality characteristics of a given product or survey and specific quality indicators. Eurostat evaluates the quality of the data received from all Member States and publishes quality reports of European statistics.

The European Statistics Code of Practice and the main strategic and methodological documents related to quality assurance in the NSS are published in the new "Quality" section. The results of the Peer Review on the implementation of European Statistics Code of Practice, held in 2007, and the results of completed projects of NSI related to quality assessment of statistical information are presented to the attention of users. Posting on the Internet the individual quality reports developed by NSI is upcoming.

Producer Price Indices in Industry, December 2011

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0200

Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in December 2011 remained at the level of the previous month, while compared to the same month of 2010 the domestic prices grew by 4.1%. Total Producer Price Index decreased by 0.6% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2010 the prices went up by 4.0%.

Production and Deliveries of Energy Products, December 2011

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0200

According to preliminary data production of unleaded motor gasoline in December 2011 compared to November 2011 increases by 4.0%, transport diesel - by 6.2% and electricity - by 6.0%. The production of solid fuels decreases by 5.9%. There is no change in the production of liquefied petroleum gases. Deliveries of transport diesel in December 2011 compared to November 2011 increase by 34.9%, natural gas - by 8.5% and electricity - by 5.5%. Decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels by 7.2%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 9.4% and unleaded motor gasoline - by 17.9%.

Business Conjuncture, January 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0200

In January 2012 the total business climate indicator decreases by 0.7 percentage points compared to its level from the previous month which is due entirely to the drop of the indicator in retail trade.

Trips of Bulgarian Residents Abroad and Arrivals of Visitors from Abroad to Bulgaria in December 2011

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0200

In December 2011 the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents in abroad was 258.9 thousand or by 1.9% more compared to December 2010. In December 2011 the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 392.3 thousand which was by 4.8% more than in the same month of 2010.

Bulgaria and Romania signed the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of statistics

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:10:00 +0200

On 16 January 2012 in Brasov, Romania, the Presidents of the National Statistical Offices of Bulgaria and Romania, Assoc. Prof. Mariana Kotzeva, PhD, and Prof. Vergil Voineagu, PhD, signed the “Memorandum of Understanding between the National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria and the National Institute of Statistics of Romania on cooperation in the field of statistics”.

Based on a Decision of the Council of Ministers of 30 November 2011, the President of the National Statistical Institute Assoc. Prof. Mariana Kotzeva was authorized by the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria to conduct negotiations and sign the Memorandum having the status of an international agreement.

This Memorandum aims at establishing a common framework for the joint development and implementation of cooperation programmes and projects based on mutual benefit and support. Both national statistics will cooperate through:

• exchange of experience and information regarding the methodological, organizational and technological issues of statistical data production and dissemination;

• missions and study visits;

• organization of training courses and working groups;

• exchange of statistical publications and methodologies;

• implementation of joint projects in the field of statistics, including research-development projects.

The Memorandum is concluded for a period of five years and shall enter into force on the day of the last notification by means of which the parties inform each other on the completion of the respective internal procedures. Its validity will be extended automatically for a new period of five years if neither party shall notify the other, through diplomatic channels, at least six months before its expiry, about its intention to denounce it.

NSI President Assoc. Prof. Mariana Kotzeva was honoured by Prof. Vergil Voineagu with Diploma of Excellence for her remarkable contribution to the development of the bilateral cooperation and to the progress of official statistics of Bulgaria and Romania, active members of the European Statistical System.

The National Statistical Institutes of Bulgaria and Romania have common goals and mutual aspiration towards boosting the bilateral relations and further developing the cooperation in specific statistical domains. This Memorandum shall promote intensification of statistical activities of regional and European significance.

Market Price Indices of Dwellings for the Fourth Quarter of 2011

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0200

The market price index of the dwellings for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2011 was 98.5%, i.e. the average decrease of the market prices of the dwellings was 1.5%.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the National Institute of Statistics of Romania

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0200

On 16-17 January 2012, a delegation from NSI, led by the President Assoc. Prof. Mariana Kotzeva, will pay an official visit to Romania on signing the “Memorandum of Understanding between the National Statistical Institute/Bulgaria and the National Institute of Statistics/Romania on cooperation in the field of statistics”. The signing ceremony will take place in Brasov.

Based on the Memorandum, a framework for the joint development and implementation of programmes and projects of cooperation in relevant statistical domains will be established. According to the provisions of the Memorandum, Bulgaria and Romania will mutually transmit data on transit transport by inland waterways alongside the common part of The Danube, in accordance with the legislation in force.

Additional topic of the bilateral discussions will be demographic and social statistics and use of geographical information systems (GIS) in the statistical practice. During the official meetings, an overall assessment of the current development of the bilateral cooperation will be made, as well as discussions on the views of both parties to intensify activities of common interest will be carried out.

The geographical proximity and historical links between Bulgaria and Romania are a prerequisite for mutual interest and willingness to deepen bilateral relations. The common goals within the European Statistical System open up new horizons for fruitful and effective cooperation.

Inflation and Consumer Price Indices in December 2011

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0200

The consumer price index (CPI) in December 2011 compared to November 2011 was 100.1%, i.e. the monthly inflation was 0.1%. The harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP) in December 2011 compared to November 2011 was 100.3%, i.e. the monthly inflation was 0.3%.

Industrial Production Indices in November 2011