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Forum workshop on trade stats
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Posted on Feb 23 2001
The five-day workshop on Merchandise Trade Statistics presented by the Forum Secretariat’s Trade and Investment Statistician, Mr. Ken Julian, and the Statistical Adviser to the Asycuda project, Mr. Gavin Lucas, was successfully completed last week at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
This workshop was a joint initiative between the Forum Secretariat and the UNCTAD Asycuda (Automated System for Customs Data) project.
Eighteen participants representing Customs and Statistical agencies from 12 Forum member countries were introduced to concepts and definitions relating to the compilation of merchandise trade statistics.
Also covered was the importance of adding value to trade data through the use of these practices as well as validation techniques to minimize data errors.
The workshop highlighted the need for a close working relationship between Customs and Statistical agencies, and urged more efficient transfer of Asycuda data between relevant agencies.
As a result of this workshop, the 12 participating countries will be in a better position to provide these vital statistics to their own national governments, as well as meet their obligations to International and Regional organizations.
