High data quality management of business statistics in Croatian Customs

The Commission provided technical support to Croatian Customs in developing and institutionalising a data quality management methodology with the objective of improving the Intrastat Department’s capacity in collecting, processing and producing high quality business statistics.

Context

The Intrastat Department is responsible for collecting and processing intra-EU trade data which is for instance used as a data source for the compilation of National Accounts and for macroeconomic analyses. Improving the Intrastat Department’s capacity in collecting, processing and producing high quality business statistics ensures a continued reliable, accurate and complete data flow to stakeholders.

The project aligns with Croatia’s ongoing efforts in improving its statistics through measures for strengthening institutional and methodological capacity to collect, produce and disseminate statistics.

The project is directly and closely linked to the European Union priorities ‘Protecting our European way of life’, ‘An economy that works for people’, and ‘A Europe fit for the digital age’. Furthermore, it will serve the implementation of EU legislation such as the European Business Statistics Regulation.

Support delivered

At the end of the 15-month project, the beneficiary authority has at its disposal:

• an analysis of how to improve the current operational, technical, technological and organisational setup, and how to move towards the desired target state regarding the collection, processing and production of intra-EU trade data;
• a data quality management methodology;
• a gap analysis and an action plan for implementing the methodology in the period 2023-2027;
• a change management plan to assist the deployment of the action plan.

Results achieved

The technical support aided Croatian Customs in establishing a high data quality management of business statistics. More precisely, the project improved the Intrastat Department’s capacity to collect, process and produce high quality business statistics.

The results of the project will contribute towards a consistently high quality of statistical data, a lower administrative burden on businesses that need to provide statistical information, and a more cost-effective and sustainable Intrastat Department.

More about the project

You can read the final report here: