Technical Workshop on International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Focusing on goods traded under the preferential trade agreements 26 February to 2 March 2018 Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Suva The way forward Presentation by Nilima Lal Economic Statistics Advisor, Pacific Community Email: NilimaL@spc.int

Workshops

Hits and misses ..\Reference documents\2012_Regional Workshop IMTS_Outcome Doc.pdf brings to fore what was expected of countries after the 2012 Workshop. From then until 16 February 2018 – HITS AND MISSES 1. NSOs of all Countries have started compiling IMTS Some countries are not using Customs records as the source   Gaps in Customs records e.g. sales of fuel to visiting ships and aircraft 2. Compilation of 15 recommended tables None of the countries have completed the table on PTA 3. Timeliness of IMTS compilation 2017 should be released now – only Samoa has been able to do this 4. Use of HS Classification 2017 not used by many 5. Quantity of measurement Gaps exist for most of the countries USE OF RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICE IS STILL AN ISSUE More needs to be done

GOING FORWARD Recommendation 1 Table 4 on re-exports and Table 11 and its sub-components on PTAs to be completed by 30 June 2018

Recommendation 2 All countries use the Pacific Harmonised GOING FORWARD cont… Recommendation 2 All countries use the Pacific Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System (PACHS17)

Recommendation 3 Customs to GOING FORWARD cont… A] Assign procedure codes e.g. goods traded under PTA B] Document what the Variables in a SAD/Warrant mean for statisticians to understand the transactions better Tonga Customs Documents Variables   TYPES OF ENTRY FIJI Vanuatu Proceedure codes used Type Codes indicate whether it's an import, export or re-export ET 9 Export Transhipment CODE DECRIPTION Warrant # Document number containing information about the transaction EX 1 Exportation 1000 Direct permanent export TIN Tax identification number of the unit importing/exporting 2 Temporary Export 1021 Permanent export after TA for Customs outward processing Name Name of the unit importing/exporting 3 Re-export 1022 Permanent export after TA for return in unaltered state Broker Agent who transacts between the buyer/importer and a seller/exporter for a commission HS 4 Writing Off Hanging Warehouse Stock 1092 Perfecting Provisional Export Point Of Entry/Exit Name of the airport or wharf where from goods leave/arrive into the country IM Entry for home use 1474 Domestic Excise Export Location From Country of origin 5 Temporary Imports 2100 Temporary Export uder Customs outward processing procedure Location To Country of destination 6 Re-importation 2200 Temporary export for return of goods in unaltered state Aircraft/Vessel Name of the aircraft or ship 7 Entry for warehousing 3052 Reexport after customs inward processing procedure Flight/Voyage # Aircraft/vessel number carrying the goods Temporary Imports of goods for lease purposes only. 3053 Reexports after T.A. for return in unaltered state Goods Cost Price paid for the goods IT Import Transhipment 3071 Reexports after customs warehousing procedure Insurance Insurance paid for the goods for their delivery from the place of export (origin) to the place of import (destination). NT Removal of Old Tariff 3072 Re-export after W/H (Goods not entered with A++ Freight Transport costs paid for the goods for their delivery from the place of export (origin) to the place of import (destination). Warehousing of New Tariff 3080 Customs Transhipment CIF Value Cost, insurance and freight value is the sum of the price paid for the goods plus the cost of transportation and insurance for the delivery of goods from the place of export (origin) to the place of import (destination). SY Yacht Re-export after Temporary Import 4000 Direct entry home use Unit Price Obtained by deviding value by quantity Yacht Local Disposal after Temp Import

GOING FORWARD cont… Recommendation 4 Statistics for Development Division of SPC to develop the Pacific Commodity Trade (PAC Comtrade) database: collaboration needed!! PAC COMTRADE is supported by the Forum Economic Ministers (Para 49 and 50 of PIFS 2014 Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) Action Plan).

WHO DOES WHAT? Development Partners Collaboration, similar to the one we have had at this workshop need to continue for work relating to IMTS: “the best results can be obtained through different knowledge and skills working together” Training (IT, methodology etc) customs officials and statisticians to build capacity to sustain and strengthen compilation of IMTS through workshops, attachments, in-country visits, the facilitation of South-South cooperation and if need be, particularly with the smallest Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), provide capacity supplementation. Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

Point of contact needs to be established between the two. WHO DOES WHAT cont… Customs Administrations and National Statistics Offices A lot of investment in knowledge and skill upgrade has/is taking place so therefore visible outputs continue to be needed by users and donors. Customs and NSOs need to strengthen their working relationship – Regular meetings between the two where users can be invited Understand statistical requirements Point of contact needs to be established between the two.

WHO DOES WHAT cont… Users Users should continue to make their data demands known for NSOs to be able to assess the demand for external trade statistics so that within the limited resources available to them, they are better placed to plan and produce IMTS.

Thank you