STATISTICS ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SERVICES

1. Background Information

Statistics on International Trade in Services

The COMESA Committee on Statistical Matters approved a recommendation for the development of statistics on international trade in services (SITS) in Member states. This recommendation recognizes the international efforts at developing this statistical cluster as embodied in the work of the Inter Agency Task Force on Trade in Services whose work culminated in the publication of a methodological manual, i.e. the Manual on Statistics of International trade in Services (MSITS).

A phased approach to the implementation of the manual is recommended in a situation where the development of services trade statistics is being undertaken. The manual has ten recommendations reflecting this phased approach, of which five are considered core. These are;

• Implementation of the BPM6 recommendations on service transactions between residents and non residents;
• Compilation of BOP data according to items in the EBOPS classification;
• Collection of FDI statistics by activities of ISIC Rev3
• Compilation of basic FATS variables, broken down by activity according to IFCA and
• Compilation of statistics on trade in services  by partner country for each of the main types of services in BPM5

The manual’s statistical coverage of the modes of supply is as follows;

• Mode 1 or cross border supply is estimated using the balance of payments revision 5(BPM5) categories of; transportation(majority of), communication services, insurance services, financial services, royalties, and license fees, part of computer and information services, other business services and personal, cultural and recreational services;
• Mode 2 or consumption abroad is estimated from the BPM5 travel category(excluding goods bought by travellers); repairs to carriers in foreign ports(goods); part of transportation(supporting and auxiliary services to carriers in foreign ports)
• Mode 3 or commercial presence  is estimated from foreign affiliates trade in services (FATS) and from part of the BPM5 category of construction services
• Mode 4 or presence of natural persons is estimated from the following;
  •  BPM5 categories; part of: computer and information services; other business services; personal, cultural and recreational services and construction services
  • BPM5 where labour related flows are captured
  • FATS where foreign employment data in foreign affiliates is collected
  • Other sources;

COMESA has therefore adopted this phased approach in developing the SITS. 

2. Key Concepts, Definitions and Framework

Concepts and Definitions

Concepts and definitions related to SITS are derived from the Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services.

3. Scope and Coverage of Data

Scope

Statistics on International Trade in Services derive from a list of sources that best match the systematic presentation defined by the four service delivery modes familiar to trade negotiators. First we have the balance of payments (BOP) framework which is a systematic summary of economic transactions of an economy with the rest of the world for a particular period. The current account of the BOP includes transactions as far as service exports and imports are concerned. 

Coverage

All COMESA Member States

4. Data Sources and Methodology used in Data Collection

Data Sources

Data is sourced from Member States, specifically from Central Banks.