MANUFACTURING STATISTICS IN LESOTHO

04-07 MAY 2009

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

Prepared by TšepisoThabane

Outline Introduction BOS Structure Coverage (size of enterprise) Instruments of data collection Periodicity of data collection Data items Problems in data collection Problems in compilation Dissemination

Introduction

Statistics Act of 2001 provides a legal framework for manufacturing statistics in Lesotho.

Bureau of Statistics is mandated to collect, analyze and disseminate manufacturing statistics.

Manufacturing statistics give indication of the performance of manufacturing sector in Lesotho.

BOS Structure

Coverage Size of enterprise

• Small: 10-19 persons employed• Medium: 20-49 persons employed• Large: 50+ persons employed

Type of industry• Food & Beverages• Textile & Clothing• Leather & Footwear• Other manufacturing (furniture & printing,

chemical & non chemical products etc)

Instruments of data collection

A three-paged questionnaire is used to collect data

Methods of data collection include

• Emailing questionnaires

• Hand delivery

Periodicity

Data collection is done quarterly.

• Questionnaires are distributed during the 1st week following the last day of the quarter.

• Collection of questionnaires is normally done from the third week.

Data items

Employment (males and females) Wages & salaries Sales value Exports (quantities and value) Production

Problems in data collection Transport problems especially outside

Maseru Reluctance/refusal of some officers to fill

the questionnaire

Contribution to GDP

At current prices• 2005: 16.9%

• 2006: 16.9%

• 2007: 17.1%

Compilation problems

Tendency of firms to produce different items during different quarters (inconsistencies in units of measurement)

Imputations for missing responses from establishments that normally respond.

Recent trends in Manufacturing

Downward trend in employment due to closure of firms

Users of Manufacturing statistics

Researchers New Investors Planners

Dissemination of 'Performance of Manufacturing Sector in Lesotho’ Library – hard copies of reports sold to

individuals

– reports distributed to all organizations in the

mailing list Website – www.bos.gov.ls Per request (thru email)

THANK YOU