1. July 2009 Statistical Reviews for OECD Accession Working Party on Trade in Goods and Services 16 November, 2009

2. 1. Rationale for OECD enlargement 2. Role for statistics in accession reviews 3. A glimpse at the A5 countries 4. Accession: Statistical reviews and integration 5. Review Process: Trade in Goods and Services 6. Benefits to accession countries and to the OECD Overview

3. 2007: OECD embarked on an ambitious program of enlargement Formal accession applications by: Chile, Estonia, Israel, Russian Federation, Slovenia Formal Roadmaps for accession process Enhanced Engagement with: Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa Reflects the OECD Mandate as a hub for discussion of global issues OECD Enlargement

4. In a globalised world, international comparisons are more important than ever. OECD is one of the worlds foremost and respected sources of internationally-comparable statistics Understanding definitions and methods is essential if country data are to be compared and analysed Why include statistics in the enlargement process?

5. No Legal Instruments pertaining to Statistics…but Roadmaps included Statistics &Statistical Systems Statistics are fundamental Statistics underpin all the critical Policy Areas Basic obligation of OECD membership: furnish the organisation with the information necessary for the accomplishment of its tasks. STD developed a structured evaluation process Leading to a Formal Review by CSTAT The Statistical Accession Process

7. Charts depicting the A4

10. Committee reviews of four countries in 2009 OECD Council decisions in early 2010 All Committee reviews of Russia were delayed Work to continue through 2010 into 2011 Accession Schedule

11. Review of Legal and Institutional Framework Review of Data Quality, Comparability, Integration Peer Reviews and Assessments Input from other Directorates CSTAT Reviewed the A4 countries on October 26 Formal Opinions to Council by December 2009 Process for Statistical Assessments

12. Laws, regulations, policies and best practices to ensure sound, professional unbiased statistics Comparability of accession to OECD countries UNs Fundamental Principles provided template Built on appraisals of other international organisations Focused discussions during Peer Reviews Legal and Institutional Framework

13. Fundamental criteria: coverage and compliance. The variables, time periods and geographic regions – required by the OECD; and – typically available from existing members Reviews by responsible staff in Secretariat In principle, covers all OECD statistics Structured reviews of all economic statistics where Statistics Directorate has full or shared responsibilities Data Quality and Comparability

14. National Accounts Business Register Business Statistics Financial Statistics International Trade in Goods and Services Balance of Payments Prices and Purchasing Power Parities Labour and Labour Compensation Indexes of Production and Demand Short-term Financial Statistics Business Tendency & Consumer Opinion Surveys Statistics Directorate Responsibilities

15. Two objectives: – Assess quality and comparability – Collect and integrate data Countries provided information on sources/methods Also filled standard data reporting forms Head of TAGS conducted fact-finding missions Trade in Goods and Services Review Process

16. Four aspects examined: Compliance Coverage Timeliness Data and Metadata Transmission Three data programmes covered: Monthly Statistics of International Trade International Trade by Commodity Statistics International Trade in Services Statistics Trade in Goods and Services Review Process

17. Several days of interviews by subject Identify any outstanding deficiencies Is country committed to resolve deficiencies? Are there realistic, funded plans in place? The Peers approved reports for CSTAT Peer Review by OECD Country Experts

18. Carl Obst, Australian Bureau of Statistics Jeff Cope, Statistics New Zealand Bente Dyrberg, Statistics Denmark Wlodzimierz Okrasa, Statistics Poland Arunas Butkevicius, Eurostat John Greenlees & Bob Eddy, Bureau of Labor Statistics, USA Paloma Seoane, INE, Spain Symon Algera, Statistics Netherlands Peer Review Teams Chile Estonia Israel Slovenia

19. Special closed sessions to reach agreement Formal Opinions are Secret…yet to be approved Views on statistical programs were positive Numerous compliance and coverage gaps remain Enhanced metadata often requested Work programs are in place Some formal Progress Reports will be required CSTAT Review

20. Considerable work by accession countries to document, understand and assess statistics Congratulations and thanks Benefits to accession countries? International comparability; Share best practices Support and guidance to improve programmes Enhanced co-ordination within country Access to additional resources Benefits to Countries

21. First time for such a comprehensive review Improved internal relations and coordination Improved clarity and organisation of OECD statistical requirements Rationalisation of special OECD requirements Jump start for effective new partner relationships And….. we have a better understanding of A4 data and metadata than we do for most OECD! CSTAT proposal on similar reviews for Members Benefits to the OECD