Organization

The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) is ultimately the responsibility of the Minister of Economic Development. A Board of Directors, appointed by the Minister, is the chief policy-making body of the institute and consists of the:

• Chief Executive Officer or his representative in the Ministry of Health;
• the Chief Executive Officer or his representative in the Ministry of Education;
• the Chief Executive Officer or his representative in the Ministry of Economic Development;
• the Financial Secretary or his representative;
• the Governor, Central Bank of Belize, or his representative;
• the President, National Trade Union Congress of Belize, or his representative;
• the President, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or his representative;
• the President, University of Belize, or his representative;
• the President, Belize Business Bureau, or his representative;
• a representative of civil society appointed by the Minister; and
• the Director-General of SIB, ex-officio.

The Statistical Institute of Belize is headed by a Director-General assisted by a Deputy Director-General. A full-time staff of 39 men and women occupy six departments each headed by a manager.

View organogram

Economic Statistics form the basis for the analysis of the health of any country’s economy. For the majority of countries, the most commonly computed economic indicators are Gross Domestic Product (GDP), prices, debt, money supply, interest rate and international or external trade. Of these, the Statistical Institute of Belize’s (SIB)-Economic Statistics Section compiles GDP, price and external trade statistics, while the compilation of the others are shared between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Belize.

The CSAS section collects data for demographic, economic and social statistics.  Data is collected through sample surveys and censuses, and from administrative sources (government departments and industries).

Main activities include the collection, compilation and analysis of data for the

• Labour Force Survey (LFS),
• Living Standards Measurement Survey (LSMS),
• Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS),
• Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES),
• Population and Housing Census,
• Visitor Expenditure and Motivation Survey (VEMS),
• any other ad hoc survey.

SIB communicates with its clients through the Data Dissemination department.  This unit releases information to the media, government, local and international agencies and to the public in general.  The publishing of reports in the form of hard copy or in electronic format is a function of this department.  Bona fide researchers can access SIB data sets through the Micro-data Access Policy which is administered and coordinated by the unit.  SIB’s website is designed to be a “one-stop” portal for all of Belize’s statistics.  This website is maintained by the Data Dissemination department.

The Systems Development and Data Processing Department provides data processing services, software development and guidance and support in the use of computer and GIS technologies to all units of the Institute. Access to the internet for all SIB staff, data processing and data quality assurance,data and information security for current and archived projects and Website development are major components of this unit’s activities. There is a strong GIS initiative of collaboration with external organizations in the furtherance of the use of GIS products and technologies for the advancement of the objectives of the SIB and those entities.

The Finance & Administration unit is responsible for the administration of the financial affairs and internal support activities for the Institute. The unit is responsible for the development and management of the budget, ensuring proper accounting and control of all finances in addition to the proper management of all assets. The unit also acts as the central point of contact between internal and external clients as it coordinates the procurement of goods and services, logistical arrangements, janitorial services and other administrative services essential to the operational efficiency of the Institute.