1. Adding detailed higher frequency merchandise trade data Item 5(a) on the Provisional Agenda Note by UNSD Ronald Jansen, United Nations Statistics Division, jansen1@un.orgjansen1@un.org Decision 41/103 --- (continued) International merchandise trade statistics (e) Recognized the importance of the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database as the global database and information platform on international merchandise trade, and requested the United Nations Statistics Division to enhance its features and metadata; The upgrade of UN Comtrade and the establishment of the collection, processing and dissemination of monthly and quarterly merchandise trade statistics is a major undertaking Decision 41/103 --- (continued) International merchandise trade statistics (e) Recognized the importance of the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database as the global database and information platform on international merchandise trade, and requested the United Nations Statistics Division to enhance its features and metadata; The upgrade of UN Comtrade and the establishment of the collection, processing and dissemination of monthly and quarterly merchandise trade statistics is a major undertaking

2. Adding detailed higher frequency merchandise trade data Item 5(a) on the Provisional Agenda Note by UNSD Ronald Jansen, United Nations Statistics Division, jansen1@un.orgjansen1@un.org The upgrade of UN Comtrade 2010-2013 1.The work on this upgrade project has started and includes a)significant enhancement of metadata, b)inclusion of new data variables recommended in IMTS 2010 namely i.mode of transport, ii.second partner country (country of consignment) and iii.valuation of imports FOB (in addition to imports CIF). c)addition of monthly and quarterly trade data. 2.Concerning the collection, processing and dissemination of monthly and quarterly merchandise trade statistics, new and simplified procedures for processing have been successfully established. The automation of the upload of the national data to our processing system is the next and very important step as national data is provided in different formats. These automated procedures have to be developed on a country by country basis. A limited number of countries has been requested to already now provide their data on a regular basis. The upgrade of UN Comtrade 2010-2013 1.The work on this upgrade project has started and includes a)significant enhancement of metadata, b)inclusion of new data variables recommended in IMTS 2010 namely i.mode of transport, ii.second partner country (country of consignment) and iii.valuation of imports FOB (in addition to imports CIF). c)addition of monthly and quarterly trade data. 2.Concerning the collection, processing and dissemination of monthly and quarterly merchandise trade statistics, new and simplified procedures for processing have been successfully established. The automation of the upload of the national data to our processing system is the next and very important step as national data is provided in different formats. These automated procedures have to be developed on a country by country basis. A limited number of countries has been requested to already now provide their data on a regular basis.

3. Ronald Jansen, United Nations Statistics Division, jansen1@un.orgjansen1@un.org The upgrade of UN Comtrade 2010-2013 - Technical 1.Application Framework.NET framework version 4 RC with AJAX controls 2. Database application SQL Server 2008 R2 3.Web Browser Internet Explorer but compatible with Firefox, Chrome and Safari The upgrade of UN Comtrade 2010-2013 - Technical 1.Application Framework.NET framework version 4 RC with AJAX controls 2. Database application SQL Server 2008 R2 3.Web Browser Internet Explorer but compatible with Firefox, Chrome and Safari Adding detailed higher frequency merchandise trade data Item 5(a) on the Provisional Agenda Note by UNSD