CENTRAL to its efforts that aim to enhance the statistical and institutional capacity across the GCC member states in order to meet the statistical requirements on regional and international levels, the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) recently held the first meeting for training directors from the respective GCC statistical departments. The meeting held in Muscat discussed a number of topics, including the agenda of activities and events for 2015, training programs and plans for next year, as well as training requirements, needs and priorities within the framework of an integrated training scheme for 2016. Addressing the meeting, Hessa Al Janahi, consultant at GCC-Stat, said: “Part of GCC-Stat mandate is to coordinate and administer training, and set training needs and requirements, in addition to setting up integrated training plans. This will maximize the benefits of training and allow participants to exchange knowledge, share experiences and contribute to the development of the statistical sector in the GCC region.” “The intensive and comprehensive training programs and workshop sessions administered by GCC-Stat aim to reach out to the largest target segment within the GCC statistical offices who are given the chance to gain experience and knowledge through interacting with world experts from local, regional and international statistical institutions,” she added. GCC-Stat conducts various workshops and specialized training sessions that contribute to the advancement of the statistical work in the GCC regions. The center plays an essential role in putting together collaborative efforts by national GCC statistical offices in various fields towards comprehensive and integrated statistical information and database that represent the GCC region as a unified body. Training programs are conducted across the six GCC countries to make the most of benefit they bring and to pave the way to implement GCC-Stat's strategic plans and to help it achieve its strategic objectives. — SG
