Mohammed enacts law on DSC

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has issued Law No (28) of 2015 on the Dubai Statistics Centre (DSC).

The new law aims to develop and enable the Centre to establish an advanced statistics system in the emirate.

The new law states that the Dubai Statistics Centre is the only official reference for statistics on Dubai and is responsible for collecting, classifying and analysing statistical information and data and publishing statistical reports.

Furthermore, the Centre is responsible for organising and regulating activities related to statistics and surveys in the emirate. Pursuant to the Law, any private entity is forbidden to conduct any survey without obtaining authorisation from the Centre, and such authorisation is subject to the Centre’s approved policies and procedures.

As defined by the new law, Dubai Statistics Centre participates in economic and social development in Dubai, establishing advanced and efficient statistics systems and providing support to decision makers, strategists and planners. The Centre is also responsible for organising the sector and promoting transparency in statistical reports.

Pursuant to the law, the Dubai Statistics Centre is tasked with the preparation of statistical plans and programmes that support the Dubai Strategic Plan as well as the plans, projects and programmes related to economic and social development. Moreover, the Centre is tasked with the collection of statistical data and information that are related to the Emirate, in addition to updating, classifying and protecting this information.

The Centre is also tasked with the design and implementation of population studies and social and economic statistical surveys at the Dubai level as well as building and managing a new and integrated statistical system for the collection, analysis, processing and dissemination of data and information and official statistical indices.

The Dubai Statistics Centre will provide statistical data and information for decision makers and will implement best practices in carrying out its operations as well as lay the foundation and rules for regulating statistical work in the Emirates according to systematic plans and programmes.

The Centre will be conducting statistical activities at the Dubai and UAE levels including preparing census, housing and construction statistics.

According to the law, the Centre shall provide consulting services for government entities and regulated non-government entities’ statistical activities and surveys conducted in the emirate. It may also issue necessary permits in accordance with the rules and regulations approved in this regard; and may oversee the polls and surveys conducted by authorised entities.

Data sources within government are required to provide the Centre with statistical data and information requested in accordance with the requirements and standards of the Center in order to ensure effective and accurate flow of data. The Centre will then publish statistical information and results of censuses and statistical surveys and studies, according to accepted norms.

According to the law, individuals and private entities may not conduct statistical activities prior to obtaining permission from the Centre. Public entities may also not conduct field surveys without the prior permission of the Centre.

The new law states that the Dubai Executive Council Chairman will appoint the Director General of the Centre. The law also identifies the responsibilities and duties of the Director General. According to the law, a consultative council comprised of a number of domain experts shall be formed.

According to the new Law, the Dubai Statistics Center also serves as a consulting body for Dubai Government in all matters related to surveys, statistics and statistical analysis. The Law also defines the fines and penalties that will be incurred for violations of information privacy and conducting or using, altering, modifying, publishing or distributing such information without obtaining prior written authorisation from the Dubai Statistics Center.

Law No (28) of 2015 substitutes Law No (23) of 2006 on the Establishment of the Dubai Statistics Centre. Furthermore, the new Law annuls any other legislation that contradicts or challenges its articles. This Law is valid from the date of publication, and is to be published in the Official Gazette.

 

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