Republic of Korea gives 3.4 million US dollars to strengthen national data system

Belize is getting a three-point-four-million-US-dollar boost from the Republic of Korea to improve how the country collects and uses national data. The funding is being provided through the Korea International Cooperation Agency, KOICA, under the Enabling Belize’s Statistical System Project.  The partnership was reaffirmed today during a meeting involving Minister of State for Economic Transformation Dr. Osmond Martinez, Korean Embassy official Lee Donghee and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Michael Lund.  The money has already helped to strengthen the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) and the wider national statistical system. That includes new technology and equipment, staff training and better ways of collecting and using information. The project is also expected to improve Belize’s ability to measure poverty and better understand household conditions.  The project also brings together several United Nations agencies, including UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, FAO and the World Food Programme. The wider aim is to ensure that national data is put to practical use in areas such as agriculture, social services and development planning.