Madayn’s Industrial Census Case Study – Oman

The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), established in 1993, oversees more than 13 industrial cities in Oman. It focuses on developing and managing industrial cities, promoting industry, and encouraging private sector contributions to economic development. With the growing importance of accurate data in planning and decision-making, Madayn identified the need for a comprehensive industrial survey of its industrial cities. The objective was to provide precise and comprehensive indicators that accurately represent the economic and industrial situation. This required adopting modern data collection methods, ensuring thorough coverage of all establishments, and using the best methodologies and technologies to guarantee data accuracy and credibility.

To overcome the challenges and ensure accurate and reliable data collection, Madayn collaborated with its technical partner, RealSoft, which has over 20 years of experience in conducting economic surveys. RealSoft implemented advanced solutions, including:

1. Adopting the 2008 System of National Accounts (SNA2008): This served as a comprehensive framework for analyzing and estimating indicators, enabling precise calculations of value-added and its distribution across various industrial activities. The survey also adhered to the National Classification of Economic Activities (ISIC4).
2. Leveraging advanced technologies: This included designing electronic forms, developing communication systems with economic establishments for data collection and follow-up, and utilizing automated auditing tools to ensure consistency and logic for high data quality.
3. Developing a survey manual: This included definitions and terms specific to the survey, alongside training field researchers to ensure a full understanding of methodologies and digital tools for managing the fieldwork from the central headquarters.
4. Ensuring comprehensive coverage: A plan was developed to target all productive establishments, with a focus on large-scale establishments due to their significant impact on key indicators.

The 2022 industrial census across Madayn’s cities achieved several key objectives, supporting decision-making and policy planning through the use of advanced digital systems and methodologies. Key outcomes included:

1. Compliance with approved methodologies: The use of locally recognized and internationally aligned standards enhanced the accuracy and integration of economic indicators with national economic data.
2. Organized and automated fieldwork: The census covered all industrial cities under Madayn’s supervision. A system was developed for automated data collection, transmission to a central system for review and analysis, and monitoring of fieldwork quality through a centralized system to ensure targeted establishment coverage.
3. Statistical estimation of missing data: Advanced statistical tools were employed to estimate missing data for non-responding establishments, considering their size and economic classification. These tools effectively compensated for non-responses with accuracy and efficiency.
4. Integration with relevant entities: Madayn achieved system integration with other governmental systems, facilitating data exchange and enhancing the accuracy of analyses, enabling decision-makers to rely on comprehensive and trustworthy data.
5. Real-time analysis and availability of aggregated data: By utilizing advanced systems for data collection and analysis, Madayn extracted key indicators immediately after completing the census, enabling strategic planning and industrial policy formulation.

The project demonstrated the effectiveness of using digital systems and advanced statistical methodologies in improving the accuracy and efficiency of the census process. The comprehensive and reliable data produced serves all stakeholders and reflects Madayn’s commitment to adopting technology and digital systems in industrial census activities. These efforts underscore Madayn’s role in supporting sustainable economic and industrial development in Oman.