Statistics on Cultural Industries - International Trade Centre

3. Goal and ObjectivesThe overall goal of the national data projects is to improve transparency and governance withinthe cultural industries sector and enable evidence-based policy development in support of thedevelopment of the cultural industries sector, as a strategy for poverty eradication and localeconomic development.The national projects address the need for reliable data on the cultural industries sector throughthe development of a methodology for statistical data on cultural industries including: detaileddata modules, standardized reporting formats, and regional data standards.The Jodhpur Initiatives Framework for <strong>Statistics</strong> on Cultural Industries is designed to support regionalco-operation and the sharing of resources and experience by providing a common approach tothe production of data related to cultural industries activities.National capacity building is incorporated into all objectives to ensure the long-term sustainabilityof this exercise.The policy environment is a determining factor for growth in cultural industries. The strategy ofthe Jodhpur Initiatives programme is therefore to facilitate the identification of indicators that canmeasure the strength and development of the drivers of cultural industries sector development,especially in terms of the effectiveness and need for policy support and investment.Consequently, the aim of the national data projects, based on the Framework for <strong>Statistics</strong> onCultural Industries, is to put in place the data mechanisms needed to measure activities in thecultural industries sector at the national and regional levels, and enable countries to producethe information required by cultural researchers and policy makers to identify the potential andneeds of the cultural industries sector and develop a supportive policy environment foundedon evidence-based policy development. To reach this objective, a significant amount of nationalcapacity building is needed.The project objectives are:••To enhance and improve the statistical foundation on which policy formulation takes placein order to improve policies for the cultural industries sector as a component in nationaleconomic development strategies, andTo build national capacities necessary for producing high quality statistical documents oncultural industries, including craft and heritage industries in the country.The immediate project objectives are:1)To develop or elaborate and test a methodology for collection and analysis of key (economic)data pertaining to cultural industries through establishing data guidelines and tools forcollecting and analyzing data, with particular reference to regional characteristics anddifferences.2) To develop the capacity of participating National <strong>Statistics</strong> Offices (NSOs) in participating