Functions of the Institute

(1) The functions of the Institute shall be the collection, compilation, extraction, analysis and release of official statistics relating to demographic, social, environmental, economic and general activities and conditions of Belize as specified in the Schedule I. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), the Institute shall– (a) provide on an impartial basis, quantitative and representative about the economic, demographic, gender, social and environmental situation in Belize, to all users including the National Assembly, the Government, institutions, undertakings, social and economic operators, academic institutions and bodies and the general public and where possible such data should be provided on a regional basis; (b) produce data and statistics subject to the principles of reliability, objectivity, relevance, statistical confidentiality, transparency, specificity, and proportionality, which mirror as faithfully as possible the real situation; (c) disseminate data and statistics to the public and the users thereof in a neutral and impartial way, focusing on the phenomena which are essential for decision makers and honouring the citizens’ rights to public information; (d) supply the information necessary to evaluate the quality of official statistics, and make accessible to the public the methods used for 11 their production, and how the principles, under which such statistics are gathered, are complied with; (e) provide such technical explanations of statistics produced to avoid erroneous (f) conduct research on and further develop statistical methodology and technology; (g) monitor and co-ordinate the carrying out of tasks with statistical implications imposed on other public bodies; (h) co-ordinate the production of official statistics’ systems, including necessary methodologies, with a view to ensuring timelines and standardisation of information, efficiency and to meeting users’ requirements, as well as to provide appropriate classifications and conformity with international requirements and standards; (i) collect the necessary information, compile the results at appropriate levels and break-downs, and disseminate them to users; (j) conduct censuses in accordance with the Census Act; (k) be the only authorized Institute which can approve the official status of any data or other statistical information published by any other public body; or CAP. 155. (l) have authority, for the purpose of discharging its functions under paragraph (k), to approve the processes of data collection, compilation and analysis by any public body. Schedule I.