The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation of the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-STAT) to initiate and facilitate collaboration and cooperation between two institutions in the area of statistics

The MoU was signed by H.E. Ambassador Musa KULAKLIKAYA, Director General of SESRIC, and H.E. Mr. Sabir Said AL HARBI, Director General of GCC-STAT on 6 November 2016 in Konya, Turkey.

The main objectives of the MoU are to:

• Enhance the capacity of quality data production, collation and dissemination;
• Contribute to the strengthening the efficiency and institutional frameworks of national statistical systems;
• Improve the development of human resources working in relevant stakeholders of national statistical systems;
• Promote best practices related to statistical systems; and
• Raise awareness towards improving official statistics

The Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (“GCC-Stat”) was established in June 2011 to provide a common official pool of statistics and data for the member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf. The establishment of GCC Stat was approved by the GCC Ministerial Council in September 2011. The Charter was officially endorsed in December 2012 by the GCC Supreme Council comprised of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.