July 2009

Statistical Reviews for OECD Accession

Working Party on Trade in Goods and Services16 November, 2009

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

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

In a globalised world, international comparisons are more important than ever.

OECD is one of the world’s 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?

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

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Trade in goods and services as percentage of GDP2007

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

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

Laws, regulations, policies and best practices to ensure sound, professional unbiased statistics

Comparability of accession to OECD countries UN’s Fundamental Principles provided template Built on appraisals of other international organisations Focused discussions during Peer Reviews

Legal and Institutional Framework

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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