KUCHING: The Statistics Department, Malaysia (DOSM) Sarawak is currently conducting the nationwide Wholesale & Retail Trade Census (WRC) 2019 until September.
The main objectives of this census which started in April are to update frame stock and the Wholesale & Retail sector’s profile up to micro level and measure the contribution of the Wholesale & Retail Trade’s sub-sector to the economy.
It is also to prepare an instrument for the adjustment of policy development and to measure the achievement of the national development plan, DOSM Sarawak said in a media statement today.
“The findings from this census will be used by governments for planning and monitoring purposes, particularly in the preparation of the Malaysia Plan.
“The WRC was first implemented in 1970 and this is the eighth census conducted. It is a key input for the formation of an economic policy that will benefit the people.”
In addition, it is also a benchmark for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other economic and social statistics in Malaysia, the statement added.
DOSM said it was estimated that a total of 31,000 companies and businesses in Sarawak would be covered in this census.
In line with the tagline of “Data Drives Business”, the role of companies and businesses is very crucial to cooperate in providing accurate information to the Department of Statistics, Malaysia.
“The quality statistics that we acquire will help the government for evidence-based decisions. Findings of census 2014 for reference year 2013 showed there were 26,948 establishments operating in Sarawak,” said DOSM.
According to DOSM, based on the findings of the census, value of gross output generated for the year was RM11.1 billion while the value added was RM7 billion.
The number of persons engaged in this sector was 111,680 persons with salaries and wages paid amounting to RM2.1 billion.
The information collected by DOSM is subject to the provisions under the Statistics Act 1965 (Revised 1989) where the information provided is confidential and is used only for the statistical purposes.
DOSM urged all parties, especially business owners as respondents, stakeholders, government and private agencies as well as communities to complement each other in supporting and cooperating fully in the implementation of this census.
More information about the census is obtainable from DOSM Sarawak or via its website at www.dosm.gov.my.
