Sub-Regional Training Workshop on Changes in SNA 2008 affecting GDP compilation

Sub-Regional Training Workshop on
Changes in SNA 2008 affecting GDP compilation
Astana, Kazakhstan
30 June-4 July 2014.
CONCEPT NOTE
Background
The ESCAP Committee on Statistics (CST) endorsed the Regional Programme for the
Improvement of Economic Statistics (RPES)1 and the Core Set of Economic Statistics2 at its second
session in 2010. The overarching goal of the RPES is to improve the soundness of economic
analysis through increased availability and effective use of, timely, reliable and comparable economic
statistics. The target is for all countries in the Asia and Pacific region to produce a core set of
economic statistics by 2020.
To meet the set target for the regional programme, the CST endorsedan Implementation Plan3 at its
third session in 2012, and tasked a Steering Group comprised ofexperts from ESCAP member
States and development partners to develop and oversee a more detailed work programme4. The
integrating framework for improving basic economic statistics is the 2008 System of National
Accounts (2008 SNA); as such, the RPES supports global, regional and national commitments to
implement the 2008 SNA.
All countries in the North and Central Asian sub-region plan to implement or have already started
implementing the 2008 SNA. One of the priority areas identifiedby assessments and surveys
conducted in the countries is the need to improve GDP exhaustiveness. To address this need,
ESCAP, through its Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP) and Statistics Division, is
organizing a technical training on GDP compilation in the implementation of the 2008 as part of
the capacity-building initiatives of the RPES. The training workshop will be conducted in
collaboration with the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Statistics, the International
Monetary Fund and the Russian Federation Federal State Statistics Service and is funded by the
Russian Federation.
Goals of the Training
The goals of the training are to enhance the capacity of participating countries to:
1
Please see http://www.unescap.org/stat/cst/2/CST2‐5E.pdf Please see http://www.unescap.org/stat/cst/2/CST2‐4E.pdf 3
Please see http://www.unescap.org/stat/cst/3/CST3‐CRP1E.pdf 4
Please see http://www.unescap.org/stat/econ/SGRPES‐Oct2013/index.asp 2
1
i.
Apply SNA 2008 concepts and definitions in the compilation of national accounts
statistics and
ii.
Expand the coverage of GDP in their respective countries such as through
incorporating non-observed economic activities.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the training, participants are expected to be able:
i.
Understand key changes in the SNA 2008 and their implications in compiling GDP
ii.
Incorporate SNA 2008 changes relating to military expenditures, research and development
expenditures and financial services in their GDP compilations;
iii.
Apply good practices and methods in estimation of imputed rent, military expenditures,
research and development expenditures; and
iv.
Identify key data sources and apply appropriate techniques to improve coverage of the nonobserved economy in GDP.
Target Countries
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan
Target Participants
Two national accounts statisticians from target countries with the following profile:
i) Middle to senior level technical staff working in national statistical agencies;
ii) Has comprehensive knowledge of the theoretical framework of national accounting;
iii) Has experience in and ability to apply different methods for compiling GDP at current and
constant prices
Working Language
The training will be conducted in Russian.
2
Main Topics and Training Design
Topic
Module 1
1.1
Major changes in the SNA 2008
~6
hrs/day
10 hrs
Overview of SNA 2008 changes
5
1.2
Military expenditures—estimation
methods
1.3
Research and development
expenditures—estimation methods
1.4
Financial Services—estimation
methods
Module 2 GDP Exhaustiveness
Training Activity


1
Lecture and discussion
Country presentations on SNA
2008 implementation (progress
and challenges)
Lectureand practice
1
Lecture and practice
3
Lecture and practice
12 Hrs
2.1
Overview of GDP scope and
coverage
1
Lecture and discussion
2.2
Owner Occupied Dwellingsestimating imputed rent
4


2.3
Non-observed Economy—
methods to improve coverage in
GDP
5


2.4
Volume Measures in national
accounts
3


Module 3 Way Forward
Lecture and practice
Country presentation—
illustrative example and
discussion
Lecture and practice
Country presentation—
illustrative example and
discussion
Lecture and practice
Country presentation—
illustrative example and
discussion
5 Hrs
3.1
Overview of Regional Initiatives
1
Presentation
3.2
Consultation sessions with experts
on specific country issues
Action Plan Development
2
Roundtable session
2
Roundtable session
3.3
3