Acknowledging this, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai issued a by-law setting up Dubai Statistics Centre. Enjoying an autonomous status, the fledgling centre, as the law defines, is the sole official body authorized to collect and analyse statistical data and information in the emirate of Dubai.

H.H Sheikh Mohammed launched the website of the Dubai Statistics Centre during the “GITEX 2008” exhibition. His Highness reviewed the electronic statistical services provided by the Centre through its website to different entities, such as planners, decision makers, investors, academics, researchers, and others.

e4all met Mr. Arif Obaid Al Muhairi, Executive Director of DSC, to learn more about the centre's accomplishments and services.

Dubai Statistics Centre was established in 2006. What are its responsibilities? And what has DSC achieved in this period?

The first phase included creating a strategic plan for the centre and hiring qualified statistical technicians, from the UAE and abroad. We also set up permanent premises for the centre since we were hosted by Dubai Municipality, which offered us all the help we needed at that time.

Dubai Statistics Centre really began its operations in mid-2007. Its first task was to establish unified data storage for the entire emirate,  implement the directive of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Chairman of the centre's executive council to assume the role of the official source for economic, social and demographic statistics in the Emirate of Dubai, carrying out its technical and operational role with the highest level of proficiency.

 To meet this objective, DSC’s technical team carried out an extensive study to determine the sources of data and information to be stored. Data was classified under two categories: Records Data, which came from government registers and archives, and Survey Data, which are the result of field research, whether the comprehensive counting method, or the sampling method.

After that, we envisioned the infrastructure that can process and handle data. We can say the actual kick-off of the centre took place after we moved to our current location in March 2008.

 What was the biggest challenge DSC faced?

 The hardest part was achieving seamless electronic integration between data sources in different Dubai Government departments, in addition to the vast diversity of procedural and coordination processes among diverse departments and the highly technical processes to achieve fruitful electronic synchronization.

 How did you overcome these interventions?

 We realized that the best way to avoid duplication of routine and sophisticated technical procedures was to tie up with Dubai eGovernment which has wide experience in integrating and coordinating different government departments through ePay, Sync, etc.

 DSC was underpinned by Dubai eGovernment, which acted as an intermediary and addressed departments on our behalf to make administrative arrangements, allowing us to focus on guaranteeing accuracy of stored data and ensuring fast delivery to authorized entities. We sincerely appreciate the technical inputs and time saving that resulted from Dubai eGovernment's support in this difficult process.

 Do you follow certain international standards for gathering, analyzing and processing statistical data that is published on DSC website?

Of course, these standards are the core of our functioning. Statistics are not recognized internationally unless they meet these stipulated standards. Expert technical committees from the International Monetary Fund and worldwide organizations specialized in reviewing statistical data inspect our reports and statistics. We remain in constant contact with these bodies to approve all the data, studies and statistics that we publish on our website.

 What is the source of the reports and statistics DSC offers to all sectors?

 Our main data source is local surveys that we conduct in association with our partners and beneficiaries. We also rely on registers presented to us by local departments and technical committees in charge of implementing Dubai’s development plans. The Statistical Coordination Committee meets regularly to decide which surveys and reports are required.

 As it is recognized worldwide, a statistical centre is the final depository of statistical data. DSC publishes the overall official statistics for the Emirate of Dubai by coordinating with concerned entities. The centre carries out specialized statistical surveys in Dubai and publishes them in the form of demographic and economic indicators.

 Are these reports provided free of charge?

 All reports and statistics offered on our website are free. The Centre's mission states that the centre must gather and provide demographic, social and economic statistics to help support decision makers at all levels and meet the requirements of planning and comprehensive development processes. There is no intention to sell our data, as is done in some countries. On the other hand, we encourage the public and businesses to make use of our statistical data as all successful planning needs accurate information. Working randomly will only lead to haphazard results.

 Can you provide an organization or research authority unpublished statistics or reports?

 The center's mission is to provide accurate statistical information to all entities, official and non-official. We are willing to back investors, the private sector and different social segments by providing a fertile environment adequate for growing their businesses. Users can register on DSC website and specify

their statistical interests (economic, financial, population, or social) to receive the latest figures.

 How many eServices are currently being provided through the website?

 We offer three to four key services that allow access to scores of demographical, financial, social and economic reports, statistics, and surveys. Statistical data is published as per the requirements

of Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, such as Economic development, Social development, Infrastructure, Land & Environment and Labour. DSC is in contact with all government departments and institutions responsible for the implementation of Dubai Strategic Plan to identify first-hand their statistical requirements in the next stage and meet them.

 eServices

 Regarding the eServices offered by DSC, Tariq Yousif Al Janahi, Director, Corporate Excellence & Support, said: “The website was launched during the GITEX 2008 exhibition. It incorporates a unique array of  eServices. Whether you are a researcher, businessman or a reporter, you can avail of the latest documented statistics and demographical information on the emirate of Dubai.

The website, www.dsc.gov.ae, allows users to browse scores of statistical reports on specific topics,

such as: Population and Vital Statistics, Employment, Education, Health, Cultural and Social Statistics, Agriculture, Tourism, Commerce, Economic and Financial Statistics, etc.

 The "Statistical Projects" link features diversified reports and surveys on "Population and Social Projects" and "Economic and Finance" dating back to several years. The "Publications" link offers extensive documented statistics and information under three sections: General Publications, Economic Publications, Population and Social Publications. These publications include the Statistical Yearbook issues from 2001 to 2007. The statistical yearbook contains statistical data reflecting the activities of local departments, agencies

and authorities; federal ministries and institutions; and a number of private sector establishments in the emirate of Dubai. It also includes the latest results of comprehensive and specialized surveys on households, buildings and establishments. Among the publications featured on the website is "Dubai in Figures", which is a quarterly periodical that covers key economic indicators through statistics pertaining to Finance & Business, Foreign Trade, Exhibitions & Conferences, Demographic, Housing and Hotels & Tourism. The publication also highlights major social indicators through statistics on Transportation & Communication, Health, Education, and Environment.

Population Clock

For the first time in the country, the website provides a ‘population clock’ for the emirate of Dubai which shows the current number of residents. The site also provides quarterly statistics of the current year on various demographic, economic and social sectors.

What kind of inputs do you need from Dubai eGovernment?

Dubai eGovernment has always been a great supporter and has given us much facilitation that effectively contributed to our achievements to date. We expect this support to continue, particularly in enhancing our eServices and joining the unified contact center "Ask Dubai" and other core services.