ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION DE COOPÉRATION ET DE DEVELOPMENT ÉCONOMIQUES OECDOCDE 1 The OECD ITCS database in the UNSD/OECD joint trade data collection and processing system STATISTICS DIRECTORATE – INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS Trade data issues

STATISTICS DIRECTORATE - INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 2 OECD/UNSD co-operation gradually deepened and extended in the last 5 years Starting from 2006: mirror databases for OECD and non-OECD member countries : co-operation in trade data collection (MoU) but differences remain because of statistical treatments (country breakdown, use of special commodity codes, revision of exchange rates, …). Progressive coverage of OECD countries 2004: extension of the MoU, UNSD cease to collect OECD member countries’ data : data reconciliation for some countries, development of common statistical practices

STATISTICS DIRECTORATE - INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 3 Harmonization of statistical practices Country codes Commodity codes Conversion to older classifications Quantity units and estimates Processing of HS 2-digit data Metadata Exchange rates

STATISTICS DIRECTORATE - INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 4 Country codes UNSD and OECD currently use different codes, labels and statistical territories Most detailed level of country codes Harmonization of labels and processing codes Aggregated countries/territories will match the different needs Need for harmonizationNeed for differentiation

STATISTICS DIRECTORATE - INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 5 Commodity codes UNSD and OECD currently use different non standard codes Use of Memorandum Items (MIs) Harmonization of labels and codes Aggregated MIs will match the different needs Need for harmonizationNeed for differentiation

STATISTICS DIRECTORATE - INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 6 Conversion to older classifications Changes in OECD practices: - Use of UNSD conversion tables between all classifications - Conversions at HS 2 and 6-digit levels only Change in UNSD practice: when the correlation is too bad, conversion is done at the immediate higher level and footnoted Starting from 2006, the same conversion rules and tables will be used

STATISTICS DIRECTORATE - INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 7 Quantity estimation yes Quantities will be shown at HS 4, 6 digit levels and SITC 3, 4, 5 digit levels Direct conversion to kg or WCO unit FAO conversion factors no At least 20% of the value has the desired qty unit Average unit price basis Standard Unit Value yes no

STATISTICS DIRECTORATE - INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 8 Confidential data reported at HS 2-digit level Possible discrepancies between HS 2-digit reported data and lower calculated levels: - Confidential country is lower at 2-digit than at detailed levels: use of footnotes - Confidential trade lower at 2-digit than at detailed levels In accordance with the 2004 UNSD-OECD request, some countries provide HS 2-digit data with a complete partner country breakdown

STATISTICS DIRECTORATE - INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 9 Metadata and MetaStore MetaStore: general toolkit for managing, accessing and publishing metadata for: - Trade Client application - OECD.stat - OECD Internet site - Electronic and paper publications MetaStore avoids duplication of effort in metadata preparation UNSD is studying the possibility to implement MetaStore

STATISTICS DIRECTORATE - INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 10 Exchange rates Because of the large amounts of data in trade statistics, even slight revisions have a significant impact UNSD and OECD currently use the same exchange rates initially sourced from IMF but revisions create differences in values In case of significant revisions, values will be automatically recalculated UNSD and OECD will use the synchronized and up to date exchange rates

STATISTICS DIRECTORATE - INTERNATIONAL TRADE & STRUCTURAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 11 UNSD-OECD databases synchronization Starting from 2006, UNSD and OECD mirror databases will be permanently synchronized Trade statistics will be compiled in accordance with the UNSD/OECD common trade data processing standards (Country codes, commodity codes, conversion to older classifications, …) - By OECD for its member countries - By UNSD for non OECD member countries