It is important for data users to have confidence that all stages of both the production and dissemination of official statistics are undertaken within the context of an appropriate national statistical system (NSS). This helps ensure:

• Consistency of approach towards, preparation including the adoption of appropriate methodological standards
• Effective allocation of responsibilities between agencies responsible for data preparation
• Effective dissemination
• Necessary interaction and feedback with relevant stakeholders, including both users of statistics and suppliers of information needed for their compilation

In Botswana, the main agency responsible for producing national statistics is the Central Statistics Office (CSO). However, the Bank of Botswana has responsibility for balance of payments and monetary statistics, while the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) provides government finance statistics. Necessary intra-agency coordination is provided through various working groups and a high-level Statistics Producers Committee.

Key components for the statistics framework for the Bank of Botswana:

• Statement of legal authority and governance
• Revisions policy
• Advance release calendar
• Participation in IMF data dissemination standards (GDDS and SDDS)
• Metadata
• Guidelines for survey participants