IMF | SARTTAC

Target Audience

Government officials of SARTTAC Member States (compilers from central banks, statistical offices and intensive users of trade statistics) who would benefit from gaining new insights on the concepts, principles, sources, and methods used to compile balance of payments and international trade statistics. Participants should be familiar with the methodology of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, sixth edition (BPM6).

Qualifications

Participants are expected to have a degree in economics or a related field, engage in regular compilation of balance of payments and/or international trade statistics, and have proficiency in Microsoft EXCEL and WORD.

Course Description

This course, presented by the IMF Statistics Department, is intended to provide a thorough understanding of the necessary concepts and offer practical advice on data sources and techniques for compiling statistics on the international trade in goods and services. The course is mainly based on the 2014 BPM6 Compilation Guide and the Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services 2010 Compilers Guide (MSITS 2010 CG). The course consists of a series of lectures, workshops, and plenary discussions on country practices that cover concepts, sources, and methods for compiling statistics associated with international trade in goods and services. Recognizing the challenges in compiling statistics for certain categories, such as manufacturing and merchanting, insurance, financial services, and construction, the course will emphasize specific aspects of their treatment and how they are recorded in the balance of payments. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss compilation problems they have encountered and gain insights into the analytical uses of statistics on the international trade in goods and services.

Course Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:           

• Display knowledge and skills associated with the compilation of the international trade in goods and services accounts related to balance of payments according to the techniques provided in the 2014 BPM6 Compilation Guide and the MSITS 2010 CG.

• Identify potential new data sources to be used to improve the compilation of the international trade in goods and services statistics.

• Discuss appropriate statistical techniques to deal with complex methodological and compilation issues.

• Extract lessons from the experiences of other compilers (through peer learning opportunities).