Finally, I will conclude by outlining elements of a strategic vision for statistics. Session 1: The role of harmonised monetary, financial and economic statistics in monetary and other economic policies Sound monetary and economic policies require the regular monitoring and in-depth analysis of a broad set of timely and high-quality statistics.
Allan Meltzer often recalls a very interesting anecdote involving Irving Fisher, the great American economist and statistician, and Eugene Meyer, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve in the early 1930s. 5  5  Allan H. Meltzer (2000), “Lessons from the Early History of the Federal Reserve”, Presidential Address to International Atlantic Economic Society, Munich, March 17.