## 2. Action Plan ## Source details **Canonical URL:** [2. Action Plan](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/cr/2020/english/1tgoea2020002.pdf) ## Other formats - [Markdown version](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2020/english/1tgoea2020002.pdf.md) - [Structured JSON version](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2020/english/1tgoea2020002.pdf.json) --- ### Summary of mission outcomes and priority recommendations - Mission: TA mission led by Mr. Fahd Ndiaye, Resident Adviser in Real Sector Statistics for AFRITAC West, visited Lomé from January 27 to 31, 2020, to assess the national accounts for the new base year 2016 with INSEED. Proceedings took the form of a workshop with representatives of the World Bank, ECA, AfDB, AFRISTAT, WAEMU Commission and BCEAO. Report based on the aide-memoire signed with the country and partners. - Main recommendations and context: - INSEED should wait until it had the accounts for the year 2017 in addition to those for the base year 2016 before releasing estimates. - Transition to a new base year and development of high-frequency indicators (HFIs) are essential for improving quality of Togo's national accounts and implementing the 2008 SNA. Last base year under 1993 SNA is 2007. - New sources collected include household consumption, the agricultural census, the business census, the informal economy, trade, among others. - COVID-19 (2019 Coronavirus pandemic) was adversely affecting NSO work; IMF Statistics Department prepared recommendations to assist countries. AFRITAC West remains willing to support INSEED. - Mission focus (two lines of work): - The SUT of the base year 2016: noted INSEED's mobilization of data sources and methodologies; recommended improvements on treatment of non-financial corporations, integration of latest household consumption data, refinement of trade margins and calculation of intermediate consumption (IC). A list of recommendations was agreed; corrections left to national accountants. - The 2017 accounts and outlook: recommended preparing the 2017 accounts before validating calculation methods and results; back casting to be handled by INSEED. Regular production of HFIs for QNA stressed. - Priority Recommendations (as agreed): - June 2020 — Carry out checks and finalize the accounts for the base year 2016 (Agency: INSEED) - June 2020 — Prepare and release the 2016 and 2017 final accounts with documentation (Agency: INSEED) - December 2020 — Begin back casting the National Accounts series over the period 2007-2015 (Agency: INSEED) - June 2021 — Identify available quarterly data sources for the compilation of QNA (Agency: INSEED) ### Detailed technical assessment and recommendations (Action Plan) - Action plan aligns with the 2017-2022 Cycle validated in February 2017 by the AFRITAC West Steering Committee and mission recommendations. - Priority Actions and target completion dates (outcomes and milestones): - Outcome: The data sources are appropriate for the transition to the new base year 2016. - M — Take into account the latest censuses and surveys in the base year revision exercise — June 2020 - Outcome: A new dataset is compiled and disseminated in accordance with the 2008 SNA - H — Finalize the 2016 accounts, in accordance with the 2008 SNA [Priority recommendation] — June 2020 - M — Implement the relevant techniques of the 2008 SNA — June 2020 - H — Finalize the 2017 accounts, in accordance with the 2008 SNA — June 2020 - H — Finalize back-extrapolated series in accordance with the 2008 SNA — December 2020 - H — Document methodologies and work processes — June 2020 - M — Have at least two managers who can compile national accounts — September 2020 - Outcome: Quarterly national accounts in line with the 2008 SNA are compiled and regularly published. - M — Train managers to develop reliable QNA — April 2020 - H — Identify available quarterly data sources for the compilation of QNA — June 2021 - H — Collect QNA indicators — June 2021 - M — Produce and release QNA in a timely manner — June 2022 ### A. The 2016 SUT — findings and recommended measures Findings: - INSEED incorporated recommendations from the September 2019 mission which focused on integration of surveys on household final consumption, trade margins, and the informal sector. - Several sources can be used: the 2018 Integrated Regional Survey of Employment and the Informal Sector (ERI-ESI), the 2018/2019 Harmonized Household Living Conditions Survey (EHCVM) (second phase results available), and the 2015 Unified Basic Welfare Questionnaire (QUIBB) for HFCE. - Recommendations could change GDP level; main areas: Statistical and Tax Declarations (DSFs), household consumption, informal sector, intermediate consumption, trade margins and employment. - Treatment of DSFs improved with the General Census of Enterprises, but inconsistencies remain in industry accounts: - DSFs source production rose from CFAF 1688 billion to CFAF 1709 billion. - Roughly CFAF 421 billion (20 percent) more production was added to the formal non-financial corporations’ sector thanks to the general census of enterprises. - It is advisable to document the proportion of new units or existing units that do not file DSFs that account for this increase, and to specify the overlap with the scope of units known by the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR). - Inconsistencies pertain to undeclared employees with no wages, very high average wages or very low wages; total number of employees and total wage bill are correct but distribution of the wage bill has not been done correctly and should be corrected. - Household final consumption: - QUIBB and EHCVM show significant differences for some products. - Prefer the source most consistent with other data; for products with differences of more than CFAF 20 billion (excluding agricultural products), use final results from the EHCVM instead of provisional results. - Prepare a table summarizing adjustments by product (QUIBB, EHCVM, CN). For products where SUT in physical quantities is possible, examine per capita consumption ratios to confirm plausibility. - Informal sector: - Additional investigations recommended to assess the impact of ERI-ESI. Assuming no change in inventories, measurement of trade margins and purchases of raw materials is affected. - Previous mission noted potential discrepancy between purchase and sales period, partly explaining the relatively low ratio of goods purchased to goods sold (33 per cent). - Suggest comparing current results with overall margins (turnover*margin rates) where margin rates come from the margin survey and turnover from the general census of enterprises. - For some sectors (transport, restaurants, financial services, etc.), compare productivity from ERI-ESI with that from corresponding sector accounts after adjustments or using alternative data. - Prepare a note on main sectors behind adjustments to ERI-ESI source data. - ERI-ESI source data estimated production of 1,624 billion FCFA. Total estimated output of the informal sector is CFAF 2,846 billion for the new base compared to CFAF 1,749 billion for the old base. - Trade margins: - Review recommended. Trade margin rates should be applied only to the marketed portion of jobs. - Exclude businesses that directly import their machinery from margin application to GFCF. - For agricultural products, separate direct transactions between producers and intermediate and final consumers; no margins on production for own final consumption. - Employment data by industry need improvement to support industry accounts. Use results of first phase of ERI-ESI related to the employed workforce as a whole. In absence of hours worked, use full-time equivalent to avoid confusion across surveys. - Methodological documentation: prepare notes on methodological work for the current year (preparation of sources, adjustments made in the ERE). Record notes in parallel to avoid loss of decisions and ensure processing traceability. Break down GDP revision rate by conceptual, statistical, methodological factors and quantify revisions due to changes in data sources and better coverage. Recommended Measures: - Finalize the accounts for the base year 2016 — June 2020 - Draft the methodological note for the base year — June 2020 - Prepare a detailed analytical note on the 2016 National Accounts — June 2020 - Conduct audits on the 2016 accounts — June 2020 ### B. The 2017 Accounts and Outlook - Back casting the National Accounts is the next step after compilation of the 2016 and 2017 accounts. INSEED plans to retrospectively extrapolate the National Accounts series. Recompilation, rebasing, and national accounts backlog - The 2007-2015 series could be recompiled for users who require long series, in particular for the compilation of QNA. - INSEED has recovered its backlog with respect to the former series. With the current rebasing, the final 2018 and provisional 2019 accounts are expected in 2020. - Catching up with backlog is essential to maintain usefulness of national accounts statistics. - INSEED encountered difficulties obtaining detailed government finance statistics, particularly the budget execution statement; this information is important to improve processing of public investment transactions. - For several projects, the data communicated make it difficult to identify national accounting operations or products concerned. - The 2008 SNA recommends changing the base year on a regular basis. - WAEMU countries committed in Ouagadougou in 2018 to change the base year every five years. Recommended Measures: - Prepare the accounts for the initial current year of 2017 before results are disseminated — June 2020 - Simultaneously publish documentation on data sources and methods for compiling national accounts — June 2020 - Initiate work on the back casting of national accounts — December 2020 - Ensure regular and up-to-date preparation of national accounts and publish them on the Internet — December 2020 - Take necessary steps to ensure the regular production of cyclical activity indicators — December 2020 - Establish and maintain a business register for statistical purposes — December 2020 - Identify available quarterly data sources for the elaboration of QNA — June 2021 ### Business register and enterprise data - Establishment of a business register is desirable. - The general census of enterprises produced a snapshot of companies operating in Togo in 2017; over time this snapshot loses relevance. - INSEED should use the 2017 census to set up a business directory and establish management rules to keep it up to date. - The register can be used to extrapolate the sample of collected DSFs and for all statistical operations involving businesses. - INSEED should consider mechanisms to streamline and harmonize business data collection to reduce respondent burden. ### Cyclical activity indicators and QNA support - Regular production of cyclical activity indicators is recommended to support QNA implementation. - Previous mission (September 2019) recommended addressing delay in release of the Harmonized Industrial Production Index (HIPI) rebased to 2007. - INSEED should accelerate implementation of the HIPI, the Industrial Renewal Production Price Index, and the Turnover Index. - The mission recommends INSEED regularly collect OTR's monthly turnover figures pursuant to a data sharing agreement. ### Continuity of national accounts activities and COVID-19 operational guidance - Although mission occurred before the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis requires rapid action by NSOs; AFRITAC West available for remote assistance. - Detailed practical and methodological recommendations for macroeconomic statistics collection, preparation and dissemination are available via IMF COVID-19 special notes. - Outbreak and containment measures could impact compilation and regular dissemination: higher non-response rates, temporary business closures, delays in providing data, and movement restrictions. - NSOs should develop plans to ensure continuous dissemination of national accounts and integrate teleworking arrangements where necessary. Operational issues and suggested practices: - Computer access: staff need desktop laptops or personal computers to work remotely; - Software: laptops must be equipped with necessary software and documentation to support compilation; - Data security: develop protocols to ensure data security and confidentiality; - Management of computer capacity: prioritize publications and allow only essential staff on the network; - Designation of key personnel (in limited numbers) needed to access the head office to process and publish the indices; - For countries that compile national accounts using Excel: ensure final spreadsheets are shared with more than one staff member; - Establish communication channels, e.g., organize a WhatsApp group for staff to communicate; - Data Dissemination: develop procedures for remote approval and dissemination of data. ### National accounts source data collection and compilation during disruptions - National Accounts staff should contact providers of main data sources to monitor delays and declining response rates. - Where source data are collected via administrative processes, e-mail, telephone or the Internet, data collection may continue but respondents may have reduced reporting capacity and follow-up may be more difficult. - National accountants should request only essential information required for key aggregates and consider alternative imputation techniques. - Collection should focus on key respondents and the impact of COVID-19 on major industries. - Alternative: contact key respondents by telephone and accept estimates (for example percentage declines in sales) to estimate current period values by applying the percentage to previous period sales. - Track and publish metadata on the number of missing respondents to improve transparency and user confidence. Compilation priorities and communication: - Consult key users on priorities if delays are likely; delays should be discussed and notified in advance. - Prioritize key variables and parameters; provide analytical information later. - QNA and other monthly and quarterly indicators may be in strong demand to indicate economic slowdown and recovery. - Make users aware of any increase in confidence intervals and highlight problems in data sources via press releases and metadata; identify potential bias or error. - National accounts statisticians can assist users to quantify COVID-19 effects; affected activities such as health and tourism could be monitored. - Seasonal adjustments will be used to identify the irregular component of quarterly data, though separation of trend and irregular components for the last quarter is subject to uncertainty and any estimate would have a high degree of uncertainty. ### Lists of officials and international organizations met - Selected INSEED officials met: KOUASSI Koame Managing Director / INSEED; HEVI Kodzo Dodzi Director of DCNEE; ADOLI Koffi Mepanou National Accountant / INSEED; DUYIBOE Abravi National Accountant / INSEED; OTCHAKPA Amey National Accountant / INSEED; NATOR Kodjovi Djigbodi National Accountant / INSEED; FAROUH P’lanam Germain National Accountant / INSEED; DJENGLE Wiyao National Accountant / INSEED; TAZOU Dadja Tassondi National Accountant / INSEED; ASSOGBAVI Komlan Dodji National Accountant / INSEED; AMEDODZI Mawufe National Accountant / INSEED; TOKI Sinam Hyppolite National Accountant / INSEED. - Selected international organizations represented: Eric Metreau Senior Economist, World Bank; Charles Sessede African Development Bank; Emmanuel Ngok United Nations Economic Commission for Africa; Ibrahima Sory National Accounting Expert, AFRISTAT; Adama Seck National Statistics and Demography Agency of Senegal / AFRISTAT; François Ramdé National Institute of Statistics of Burkina Faso / AFRISTAT; Abraham Biaou National Institute of Statistics of Benin / AFRISTAT; Namaro Yago Head of the WAEMU Statistical Center; Ayi Kouevi Selom Statistician, BCEAO National Directorate of Togo. *Source: 2. Action Plan — IMF mission report (INSEED assessment and recommendations).* ### 2. Action Plan _____________________________________________________________________________________ 7 ### 2. Action Plan ### Summary of mission outcomes and priority recommendations - A technical assistance (TA) mission led by Mr. Fahd Ndiaye, Resident Adviser in Real Sector Statistics for AFRITAC West, visited Lomé from January 27 to 31, 2020, to assess the national accounts for the new base year 2016 with the National Institute of Statistics and Economic and Demographic Studies. (INSEED). These accounts were prepared in accordance with the System of National Accounts 2008 (2008 SNA). The proceedings took the form of a workshop with representatives of the World Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Statistical and Economic Observatory of Sub-Saharan Africa (AFRISTAT), the Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). This report is largely based on the aide-memoire signed with the country and partners. - The mission recommended that INSEED wait until it had the accounts for the year 2017 in addition to those for the base year 2016 before releasing estimates. The transition to a new base year and the development of high-frequency indicators (HFIs) are essential for improving the quality of Togo's national accounts and implementing the 2008 SNA. The current data revision concerns the new base year 2016, the year 2017 and back casting. New sources collected include household consumption, the agricultural census, the business census, the informal economy, trade, among others. The last base year of the National Accounts (NA) according to the 1993 System of National Accounts (1993 SNA) is 2007. - The rapidly developing 2019 Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) at the time of writing was adversely affecting the work of national statistical offices (NSOs) around the world because of containment measures or restrictions hampering the work of statisticians at a time when data needs were increasing in order to measure the impact of this major global crisis. The IMF Statistics Department prepared recommendations to assist countries in responding to this exceptional situation. A summary of these measures is provided in this report. In addition, AFRITAC West remains willing to support INSEED through this period. - The main objective of this mission was to review the SUT of the 2016 base year of the National Accounts (NA) and the improvements to be made. INSEED already had an SUT compiled at an aggregate level that was reviewed during the September 2019 mission. INSEED has consolidated these results by shifting the trade-offs to a more detailed analysis within the supply and use balances (ERE). INSEED has also implemented recommendations from the September 2019 mission. - The mission focused on two lines of work that should contribute to the finalization of a new set of national accounts (NA): - The SUT of the base year 2016: noted INSEED's efforts to mobilize data sources and prepare appropriate methodologies. Recommended improvements concern the treatment of non-financial corporations, the integration of the latest data on household consumption, the refinement of trade margins and the calculation of intermediate consumption (IC). A list of recommendations to be implemented was agreed with INSEED and technical partners. Proposals for corrections have been left to the national accountants. - The 2017 accounts and outlook: recommended that INSEED prepare the 2017 accounts before validating the calculation methods and results obtained. The issue of back casting of the national accounts’ series will be handled by INSEED. Discussions also insisted on the regular production of high-frequency indicators for the compilation of quarterly national accounts (QNA). - Priority Recommendations (as agreed): - June 2020 — Carry out checks and finalize the accounts for the base year 2016 (Agency: INSEED) - June 2020 — Prepare and release the 2016 and 2017 final accounts with documentation (Agency: INSEED) - December 2020 — Begin back casting the National Accounts series over the period 2007-2015 (Agency: INSEED) - June 2021 — Identify available quarterly data sources for the compilation of QNA (Agency: INSEED) ### Detailed technical assessment and recommendations (Action Plan) - The action plan includes the work plan for the 2017-2022 Cycle validated in February 2017 by the AFRITAC West Steering Committee and the recommendations of this mission. - Priority Actions and target completion dates (outcomes and milestones): - Outcome: The data sources are appropriate for the transition to the new base year 2016. - M — Take into account the latest censuses and surveys in the base year revision exercise — June 2020 - Outcome: A new dataset is compiled and disseminated in accordance with the 2008 SNA - H — Finalize the 2016 accounts, in accordance with the 2008 SNA [Priority recommendation] — June 2020 - M — Implement the relevant techniques of the 2008 SNA — June 2020 - H — Finalize the 2017 accounts, in accordance with the 2008 SNA — June 2020 - H — Finalize back-extrapolated series in accordance with the 2008 SNA — December 2020 - H — Document methodologies and work processes — June 2020 - M — Have at least two managers who can compile national accounts — September 2020 - Outcome: Quarterly national accounts in line with the 2008 SNA are compiled and regularly published. - M — Train managers to develop reliable QNA — April 2020 - H — Identify available quarterly data sources for the compilation of QNA — June 2021 - H — Collect QNA indicators — June 2021 - M — Produce and release QNA in a timely manner — June 2022 ### A. The 2016 SUT — findings and recommended measures Findings: - INSEED took into account recommendations of the September 2019 mission based on the first version of the 2016 SUT. The September 2019 IMF and World Bank mission had focused on integration of surveys on household final consumption, trade margins, and the informal sector. - Several sources can be used: the 2018 Integrated Regional Survey of Employment and the Informal Sector (ERI-ESI) and the 2018/2019 Harmonized Household Living Conditions Survey (EHCVM), for which the results of the second phase are now available. The 2015 Unified Basic Welfare Questionnaire (QUIBB) is another source for Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE). - Recommendations given to INSEED could change the GDP level; they mainly relate to Statistical and Tax Declarations (DSFs), household consumption, the informal sector, intermediate consumption, trade margins and employment. - Treatment of DSFs improved with the General Census of Enterprises, however inconsistencies are noted in the industry accounts: - DSFs source production rose from CFAF 1688 billion to CFAF 1709 billion. - Roughly CFAF 421 billion (20 percent) more production was added to the formal non-financial corporations’ sector thanks to the general census of enterprises. - It is advisable to document the proportion of new units or existing units that do not file DSFs that account for this increase, and to specify the overlap with the scope of units known by the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR). - Inconsistencies within industry accounts pertain to undeclared employees with no wages, very high average wages or very low wages. While total number of employees and total wage bill are correct, the distribution of the wage bill has not been done correctly. These inconsistencies should be corrected. - Household final consumption: two data sources (QUIBB and EHCVM) show significant differences for some products. Prefer the source most consistent with other data; for products with differences of more than CFAF 20 billion (excluding agricultural products), use the final results from the EHCVM instead of provisional results. Prepare a table summarizing adjustments by product (QUIBB, EHCVM, CN). For products where SUT in physical quantities is possible, examine per capita consumption ratios to confirm plausibility. - Informal sector: additional investigations recommended to better assess the impact of the ERI-ESI. Assuming no change in inventories, measurement of trade margins and purchases of raw materials is affected. - Previous mission noted potential discrepancy between purchase and sales period, partly explaining the relatively low ratio of goods purchased to goods sold (33 per cent). - Suggested comparing current results with overall margins (turnover*margin rates) where margin rates come from the margin survey and turnover from the general census of enterprises. - For some sectors (transport, restaurants, financial services, etc.), compare productivity obtained from ERI-ESI with that from corresponding sector accounts after adjustments or using alternative data. - Prepare a note on main sectors behind adjustments to ERI-ESI source data. - ERI-ESI source data made it possible to estimate a production of 1,624 billion FCFA. Total estimated output of the informal sector is CFAF 2,846 billion for the new base compared to CFAF 1,749 billion for the old base. - Trade margins: review recommended. Trade margin rates should be applied only to the marketed portion of jobs. Exclude businesses that directly import their machinery from margin application to GFCF. For agricultural products, separate direct transactions between producers and intermediate and final consumers; no margins on production for own final consumption. - Employment data by industry need improvement to support industry accounts. Use results of first phase of ERI-ESI related to the employed workforce as a whole. To avoid confusion across surveys, work using the full-time equivalent in absence of hours worked. - Methodological documentation: prepare notes on methodological work for the current year (preparation of sources, adjustments made in the ERE). Record notes in parallel with work to avoid loss of decisions and processing traceability. Break down the GDP revision rate by factors that are conceptual, statistical, methodological, etc., and quantify revisions due to changes in data sources and better coverage. Recommended Measures: - Finalize the accounts for the base year 2016 — June 2020 - Draft the methodological note for the base year — June 2020 - Prepare a detailed analytical note on the 2016 National Accounts — June 2020 - Conduct audits on the 2016 accounts — June 2020 ### B. The 2017 Accounts and Outlook - Back casting the National Accounts is the next step after the compilation of the 2016 and 2017 accounts. INSEED plans to retrospectively extrapolate the National Accounts series. *Source: 2. Action Plan — IMF mission report (INSEED assessment and recommendations).* ### 1986. First, the 2007-2015 series could be recompiled for the needs of users who require long series, ### 1986. First, the 2007-2015 series could be recompiled for the needs of users who require long series, ### Recompilation, rebasing, and national accounts backlog - The 2007-2015 series could be recompiled for users who require long series, in particular for the compilation of quarterly national accounts (QNA). - INSEED has recovered its backlog with respect to the former series. With the current rebasing, the final 2018 and provisional 2019 accounts are expected in 2020. - Catching up with the backlog is essential to maintain the usefulness of national accounts statistics for users who need recent data. - INSEED has encountered difficulties in obtaining detailed government finance statistics, particularly the budget execution statement; this information is important to improve processing of public investment transactions. - For several projects, the data communicated to INSEED make it difficult to identify the national accounting operations or products concerned. - The 2008 SNA recommends changing the base year of the national accounts on a regular basis. - WAEMU countries made a commitment in Ouagadougou in 2018 to change the base year every five years. Recommended Measures: - Prepare the accounts for the initial current year of 2017 before the results are disseminated (June 2020); - Simultaneously publish the documentation on data sources and methods for compiling national accounts (June 2020); - Initiate work on the back casting of national accounts (December 2020); - Ensure regular and up-to -date preparation of national accounts and publish them on the Internet (December 2020); - Take necessary steps to ensure the regular production of cyclical activity indicators (December 2020); - Establish and maintain a business register for statistical purposes (December 2020); - Identify available quarterly data sources for the elaboration of QNA (June 2021). ### Business register and enterprise data - The establishment of a business register is desirable. - The general census of enterprises produced a snapshot of many companies operating in Togo in 2017; over time, this snapshot loses its relevance. - INSEED should use the 2017 census to set up a business directory and establish management rules to keep it up to date. - The register can be used to extrapolate the sample of collected DSFs and for all statistical operations involving businesses. - INSEED should consider mechanisms to streamline and harmonize business data collection to reduce respondent burden. ### Cyclical activity indicators and QNA support - Regular production of cyclical activity indicators is recommended to support implementation of QNA. - Previous mission (September 2019) recommended steps to address delay in release of the Harmonized Industrial Production Index (HIPI) rebased to 2007. - INSEED should accelerate implementation of the HIPI, as well as the Industrial Renewal Production Price Index, and the Turnover Index. - The mission recommends INSEED regularly collect OTR's monthly turnover figures pursuant to a data sharing agreement. ### Continuity of national accounts activities and COVID-19 operational guidance - Although the mission took place before the COVID-19 pandemic, the magnitude of the crisis requires rapid action by NSOs; AFRITAC West remains available to INSEED for specific remote assistance on operational, conceptual, and technical aspects. - Detailed practical and methodological recommendations for collection, preparation and dissemination of macroeconomic statistics are available via: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/SPROLLs/covid19-special-notes#STA. - The outbreak and containment measures could impact compilation and regular dissemination of national accounts and sources: higher non-response rates, temporary business closures, delays in providing data, and movement restrictions. - NSOs should develop plans to ensure continuous dissemination of national accounts and other statistics, and integrate teleworking arrangements where necessary. Operational issues and suggested practices: - Computer access: staff need desktop laptops or personal computers to work remotely; - Software: laptops must be equipped with necessary software and documentation to support compilation; - Data security: develop protocols to ensure data security and confidentiality; - Management of computer capacity: prioritize publications and allow only essential staff on the network; - Designation of key personnel (in limited numbers) needed to access the head office to process and publish the indices; - For countries that compile national accounts using Excel: ensure final spreadsheets are shared with more than one staff member to limit problems from equipment failure or illness; - Establish communication channels, e.g., organize a WhatsApp group for staff to communicate; - Data Dissemination: develop procedures for remote approval and dissemination of data. ### National accounts source data collection and compilation during disruptions - National Accounts staff should contact providers of main data sources to monitor delays and declining response rates. - Where source data are collected via administrative processes, e-mail, telephone or the Internet, data collection may continue, but respondents may have reduced reporting capacity and follow-up may be more difficult. - National accountants should only request essential information required for key aggregates and consider alternative imputation techniques. - Collection should focus on key respondents and the impact of COVID-19 on major industries. - Alternative: contact key respondents by telephone and accept estimates (for example percentage declines in sales) to estimate current period values by applying the percentage to previous period sales. - Track and publish metadata on the number of missing respondents to improve transparency and user confidence. Compilation priorities and communication: - Delays or lower quality of main data sources may raise the question of delaying the regular publication cycle; consultation with key users on their priorities is essential and delays should be discussed and notified in advance. - Prioritize key variables and parameters; analytical information can be provided later. - Quarterly national accounts and other monthly and quarterly indicators may be in strong demand to provide early indications of economic slowdown and recovery. - Make users aware of any increase in confidence intervals and highlight problems in data sources via press releases and metadata; identify potential bias or error. - National accounts statisticians can assist users to quantify COVID-19 effects; affected activities such as health and tourism could be monitored. - Seasonal adjustments will be used to identify the irregular component of quarterly data, though separation of trend and irregular components for the last quarter is subject to uncertainty; any estimate would have a high degree of uncertainty. ### Lists of officials and international organizations met - Officials met (selected names and roles): KOUASSI Koame Managing Director / INSEED; HEVI Kodzo Dodzi Director of DCNEE; ADOLI Koffi Mepanou National Accountant / INSEED; DUYIBOE Abravi National Accountant / INSEED; OTCHAKPA Amey National Accountant / INSEED; NATOR Kodjovi Djigbodi National Accountant / INSEED; FAROUH P’lanam Germain National Accountant / INSEED; DJENGLE Wiyao National Accountant / INSEED; TAZOU Dadja Tassondi National Accountant / INSEED; ASSOGBAVI Komlan Dodji National Accountant / INSEED; AMEDODZI Mawufe National Accountant / INSEED; TOKI Sinam Hyppolite National Accountant / INSEED. - International organizations represented (selected): Eric Metreau Senior Economist, World Bank; Charles Sessede African Development Bank; Emmanuel Ngok United Nations Economic Commission for Africa; Ibrahima Sory National Accounting Expert, AFRISTAT; Adama Seck National Statistics and Demography Agency of Senegal / AFRISTAT; François Ramdé National Institute of Statistics of Burkina Faso / AFRISTAT; Abraham Biaou National Institute of Statistics of Benin / AFRISTAT; Namaro Yago Head of the WAEMU Statistical Center; Ayi Kouevi Selom Statistician, BCEAO National Directorate of Togo. *TOGO INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND* --- _Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/cr/2020/english/1tgoea2020002.pdf_