Abstract

This paper presents the experience of Statistics Centre-Abu Dhabi (SCAD) in building and maintaining Statistical Business Registers (SBRs) using administrative data. Established since 2023, the SBRs encompasses Enterprise, Establishment, Investor, Investment, and Trade statistical registers, all derived and updated from administrative sources.

The developed methodology emphasizes an automated and systematic transformation of administrative data through a set of steps such as: classification mapping, business and technical validation rules, variable estimation, and imputations. Various administrative data have been integrated including commercial license data, employment data, rental and electricity data, and trade data. Central to these efforts is resolving the conceptual ambiguity around statistical units, particularly transitioning from establishment-centric sources to enterprise-level definitions. Documented within the methodology is an automated workflow spanning administrative, observation, and statistical layers, facilitating the seamless transformation and maintenance of the SBRs with fully alignment with international standards and best practice mentioned in UNSD SBRs guideline.

The primary objective of the methodology is to define key aspects critical to the Statistical Business Registers (SBRs). Firstly, it aims to determine the statistical status of both establishments and enterprises by using “Signs of life” method, ensuring accurate representation of economically active establishments and enterprises within the registers. Secondly, it focuses on capturing precise geographic addresses of establishments, facilitating spatial analysis and regional economic assessments. Thirdly, it aims to identify the principal economic activity conducted by the economic unit. Lastly, the methodology seeks to capture and maintain up-to-date records of employee counts associated with each establishment, enabling comprehensive analysis of workforce demographics and economic contributions. These defined objectives collectively enhance the integrity and utility of the SBR, supporting informed decision-making and strategic planning across Abu Dhabi's statistical landscape.

Initial quality assessments of the developed registers, benchmarked against SCAD's quality framework, indicate high levels of coverage and accuracy, affirming their suitability as reliable statistical sources. This paper underscores SCAD's efforts to advancing statistical methodologies according to international definitions and best practices.

Key words: Statistical Registers, Statistical Units, Workflow, Automation, Administrative Data.