UNSD International Merchandise Trade Statistics Data Collection, Processing and Dissemination Marjorie Imperial-Damaso EGM on Intra-African Trade Statistics 5-7 October 2011

UN Comtrade -The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) maintains a detailed merchandise trade statistics database as mandated by the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) -The database is called UN Comtrade and it contains annual trade data (imports and exports) by reporting country or area, commodity and partner country, for most countries of the world

Our Users Internal Users –World Export Matrix for Monthly Bulletin Statistics (MBS) tables –World Pocket; Country Fact Sheet –UNdata Re-dissemination Users –World Bank: WITS (World Integrated Trade System) –ITC: Market Access Map, Product Map,etc –OECD –CEPII: BACI; MIMAS via proxy server; Wiser Trade; GTIS; Quatrax; etc Other Users –UN member states; various international/regional organizations –Governments, Academics, Research Institute, Private Companies

Work Process Data Collection Data Processing Data Dissemination

Data Collection Joint data collection with OECD Data Request Letter sent out to countries beginning of each year (with exception of OECD countries) reminders and follow-up letters are sent throughout the year for non-responding countries Data sharing from FAO, ITC, UNCTAD, Economic and Regional Commissions As of September 2011, we received and processed detailed data for 110 countries representing 88.2% of world trade of 2010 (28 African trade data to date) Countries are requested to forward us the latest data, as well as monthly or quarterly, If available. To improve accuracy of our database, official annual totals are also requested for years (latest) and confirmation of metadata on file for their country.

Data Processing Data processed at the most detailed level. New processing system called CoprA to replace previous mainframe. Went live beginning CoprA is a web application based on.NET platform that uses MS SQL server to store and access the data. MS Access us used as intermediate format between original format and SQL Server table

Four main parts in data processing Data preparation and import Data Normalization

Four main parts in data processing Data preparation and import Data Normalization Data Aggregation and checking Data Conversion

Challenges/Difficulties in Data Processing Non-compatible format with MS Access –PDF –Word Annual Totals –Totals are not aligned with country series Non-oil Exports data for oil producing countries No data lay-out No Quantity Unit (QU) description High level processing –Presence of confidential data High incidence of invalid commodity codes resulting to big memorandum items (MI) Incomplete metadata/explanatory notes –Trade system, cif/fob, partner country attribution

Data Dissemination UN Comtrade Publications - International Trade Statistics Yearbook - Monthly Bulletin of Statistics - Statistical Yearbook - World Statistics Pocketbook UNdata