The Economic and Statistics Office has hired one of three people, who would be pivotal in the agency’s thrust to improve the quality of statistical information, with the appointment of Adolphus Laidlow as a senior economist. Mr Laidlow’s appointment is to be followed by a new director taking up her appointment on 3 April, and a senior statistician being employed on 16 May.

“Having staff in the ESO’s top three positions is part of an overall thrust to improve the quality of statistical information compiled and released by government,” said Deputy Financial Secretary with responsibility for Financial Management Peter Gough. He explained that ESO has for some time been short of staff, hindering much of the work that the office needs to perform.

“With Mr Laidlow’s experience, we can do more comprehensive consumer price index surveys, balance of payments reports, and compile more extensive national statistics,” Mr Gough said. He added that after the full complement of senior staff comes on board, ESO would begin planning the 2009 census. Mr Laidlow, a native of St Vincent and the Grenadines, has five years’ experience as an economist in that country’s finance ministry.

Among his duties were advising the prime minister and cabinet on macroeconomic policies and assessing their impact on the country’s development; organising work of the Economic Research and Policy Unit; and coordinating preparation of quarterly/annual reviews for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Monetary Council and the Caribbean Development Bank.

He earned a Masters of Science degree in economics from the University of the West Indies (UWI). Also at that university, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and accounting with honours. In addition, Mr Laidlow holds a certificate in business administration from UWI.