Introduction

Reliable, coherent and relevant regional statistics are a firm basis for policies intended to reduce economic and social disparities between the regions of Mozambique. Only through the use of relevant and coherent statistics is it possible to identify objectively the regions which need assistance and to measure disparities. Mozambique is developing its production
of statistics in order to respond to the information requirements of a variety of users.

The basis of demands for information stems from the fact that Mozambique is undergoing a process of growth where a package of policies for non-polarised growth requires real knowledge of the specific nature of growth in each region through the production of regional macroeconomic indicators, both of the national accounts and of other socio-economic indicators.

Regional economic statistics have an important role to play in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of regional policies, and their conjunctural or long term evolution, and in determining regional disparities. Such statistics thus form an indispensable summary framework which makes it possible to assess the impact of regional development policies, and to assess the human development dimension.

There is no tradition of regional statistics in Mozambique. But there has been an initial attempt to disaggregate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the standpoint of Gross Value Added, as a measure of the economic activity of the productive units in the regions.

The current work intends to resume the methodology previously used to disaggregate the value of the 1999 Gross Domestic Product by provinces/regions, and to update the previous estimates (1996-1998), using the INE's National Accounts as the new basis.