TIS Stats Norwegian adjustments to MSITS 2010

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Global Forum on Trade StatisticsGeneva – Switzerland 02 – 04 Feb 2011

Country perspective on adjusting to the new recommendations:

Norway

Leif KorbølStatistics Norway

TIS Stats Norwegian adjustments to MSITS 2010

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Background

• Statistics Norway is exclusively responsible for all relevant statistics in this area in Norway:

– IMTS (International Merchandise Trade Statistics)– SITS (Statistics of International Trade in Services)– FATS (Foreign Affiliates Statistics)– FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)– Travel and Tourism statistics– BoP (Balance of Payments)

BoP is an integrated part of NA– NA (National Accounts)

TIS Stats Norwegian adjustments to MSITS 2010

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IMTS (The International Merchandise Trade Statistics)• First publication in Norway: 1835

• IMTS in Norway is mainly based on customs data

• However, very important data categories (oil, gas, ships and airplanes, electricity, coal) are based on direct reporting of transaction value from enterprises

• Customs data are transferred on a daily basis

TIS Stats Norwegian adjustments to MSITS 2010

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IMTS - the overall picture

• A pretty complete and flexible system is in place

• Necessary changes due to new recommendations are in practice relatively small

TIS Stats Norwegian adjustments to MSITS 2010

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Already implemented recommendations

• One unique identification of all traders (same as in the business register and business statistics)

• Mode of transport is included• Use of customs procedures is included• We do not have FOB type import, but we calculate value of freight and

insurance for the BoP based on micro trade data • Methods for data quality reports exist and are undergoing improvement.

Norwegian requirements are aligned with general international standards

• Dissemination: we apply the recommended setup• Seasonal adjustment: we publish values monthly, indices quarterly• SITC is generally used• Reimport/reexport is covered

TIS Stats Norwegian adjustments to MSITS 2010

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Possible changes foreseen

• Export of fish caught outside Norwegian territory and delivered directly abroad - new statistics starting March 2011

• Country of consignment of exports is not covered– The Norwegian Customs is considering a possible adjustment in the

SAD questionnaire • Export declarations below NOK 5000 (~ US $800) are excluded

– The Norwegian Customs is considering adjustments to cover small values

• BoP estimated value of trade below thresholds is very low– Re-calculated of estimate is under consideration

TIS Stats Norwegian adjustments to MSITS 2010

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SITS (Statistics of International Trade in Services)• Norges Bank (The Central Bank of Norway) abolished the

ITRS-system (International Transactions Reporting System) in 2004

• The SITS is based on a quarterly sample survey established by Statistics Norway in 2005

– about 4000 enterprises in annual survey and – about 400 in quarterly survey

• The quarterly survey now has an increased sample– Quarterly sample size in 2011: 3000 enterprises

• The annual survey was terminated in 2009

TIS Stats Norwegian adjustments to MSITS 2010

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Areas in need of improvement• Repairs and maintenance of goods

– Calculation based on MITS data, poor data quality

• Processing services – Calculation based on MITS data, poor data quality

• Merchanting– Estimated in SITS, poor data quality

• FATS (Foreign Affiliates Statistics) is being established– Figures on inward FATS published in 2010– Outward FATS is under development

• Modes of supply of services– So far little attention paid to publishing modes of supply in Norway– Particularly poor data quality on Mode 4

TIS Stats Norwegian adjustments to MSITS 2010

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Visions for ITS 2020 – some comments• The presented visions should for a big part be possible to

establish in a ten year period

• Burden on enterprises must not be too high– Statistics on globalized enterprises is complicated

• Confidentiality requirements is a serious issue– In particular in small countries – Passive confidentiality is not sufficient for enterprise surveys

• It is difficult to find resources for establishing new statistics– In particular when local demand is little (like for Second partner

country data and Cost, insurance and freight)– Modes of supply, especially mode 4 will be difficult to identify