## Report on the National Accounts Mission (November 6–17, 2023) ## Source details **Canonical URL:** [Report on the National Accounts Mission (November 6–17, 2023)](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/cr/2023/english/1bwaea2023005.pdf) ## Other formats - [Markdown version](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2023/english/1bwaea2023005.pdf.md) - [Structured JSON version](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2023/english/1bwaea2023005.pdf.json) --- ### Mission objectives and scope - Conducted by IMF’s Regional Technical Assistance Center for Southern Africa (AFS) during November 2023 to assist Statistics Botswana (SB) in preparations for rebasing the national accounts. - Key focus areas: review and finalization of Census of Economic Establishments (CEE) questionnaires, sample design, and information technology (IT) processing system; follow up on deflators flagged by the IMF country team. ### Main outcomes and technical progress - CEE questionnaires: - Draft CEE questionnaires finalized in March 2023 were tested; testing was overall successful. - Additional expense items identified and added to questionnaires to improve estimation of intermediate consumption. - Trade questionnaire redesigned to enable margin-by-product estimation; to be tested in second round. - Construction questionnaire to be retested in second round due to non-response in first round. - Mini survey planned for taxis and combis based on previous rebase; questionnaire to be developed and tested in second round. - Data confidentiality and refusals: - Some businesses refused to complete forms citing confidentiality concerns despite legal mandate; mission recommended SB develop a strategy for refusals of significant businesses. - IT system and specifications: - Draft IT system specifications for data entry and data processing reviewed and expanded to include previously omitted requirements. - SB advised to assign an IT specialist urgently; system development was expected to have commenced in May 2023 but was delayed. - Activity and product lists: - Development commenced for activity list to assist industry coding; activity list for “Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles” developed during mission. - Product list development to continue in coming months. - Manuals and data processing: - Data collection and data processing manuals initiated; main procedural change: questionnaires will be hand-delivered and left with businesses with an agreed pickup time instead of mailed out. - Interagency coordination: - National accounts team advised to consult Population and Housing Census data processing team to obtain required data; Census processing is taking longer than expected. - National accounts team participating in Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey (BMTHS) development, essential for household final consumption expenditure and Consumer Price Index updating. - Sample frame: - Decision from previous mission to use the tax list as business frame; sample frame needs to be finalized by 30 June 2024 and SB should commence discussions with Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) immediately. - Project planning: - National accounts team developing a more detailed Gantt chart including all tasks and timings. ### Rebase context and timing - Current base year: 2016 (released July 2021). - Planned new base year: 2024, reflecting upcoming data sources: - Population and Housing Census (2022) - Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey (BMTHS) (2024/25) - Agricultural Census (2024/25) - Census of Economic Establishments (CEE) (2024) ### Priority recommendations (Table 1) - Target Date: March 2024 — Finalize the draft IT specifications for processing the CEE (Responsible: SB). - Target Date: March 2024 — Finalize the questionnaire design for the 2024 CEE (Responsible: SB). - Target Date: June 2024 — Determine sample frame for the rebasing of the national accounts (Responsible: SB). ### Actionable technical recommendations (from Section I) - Update the expense items in all questionnaires. - SB management and national accounts team to develop a strategy to deal with refusals. - Test the redesigned trade questionnaire and the mini survey for taxis during the second round of testing. - National accounts team to consult with the Population and Housing Census data processing team to obtain the data required for the rebase. - SB management to assign an IT specialist to the national accounts (NA) rebase project as a matter of urgency. - National accounts team to develop an activity and product list. - National accounts team to develop data collection and data processing manuals. - National accounts team finalize the sample frame in conjunction with the BURS. - National accounts team to develop a detailed Gantt chart for the rebasing exercise. ### Results-Based Framework and timeline (Table 2) - Objective: Strengthen compilation and dissemination of NAS - Comprehensive updates and rebasing – NAR. - Outcome: Authorities have a baseline understanding of current state and opportunities to strengthen compilation and dissemination. - Priority actions and target completion dates: - Determine sample frame for the rebasing of the national accounts. — 30 June 2024 - Finalize the questionnaire design for the CEE. — 29 March 2024 - Commence development of data input and processing system. — 29 March 2024 - Develop Data Collection and Data Processing Manuals. — 29 March 2024 - Develop Activity List. — 29 November 2024 - Undertake the CEE. — FY 2025/26 - Data gathering and assessment (Analysis of data; BMTHS, Agric census, CEE etc.). — FY 2026/27 - Compilation of SUT. — FY 2026/27 - Dissemination of rebased GDP estimates. — FY 2028/29 - Disseminate back cast series from 1994 to 2024 (the new base year). — FY 2028/29 ### Officials met during the mission - Dr. Burton Mguni — Statistician General - Dr Lucky Mokgatlhe — Deputy Statistician General; ECOSOC - Boitumelo Matlhaga — Director: Economic Statistics - Phaladi Labobedi — Manager; National Accounts & Prices - Lekoko Simako — Manager; Trade & Industry - Winstern Kabo — Acting Senior Statistician - Chandler Madisa — Statistician - Boitumelo Kobua — Statistician - Godiraone Gaolaolwe — Statistician - Phemelo Ntwayapelo — Statistician - Michael Andina — Statistician *IMF Country Report No. 23/432 — TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT: BOTSWANA — Report on the National Accounts Mission (November 6–17, 2023)* --- _Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/cr/2023/english/1bwaea2023005.pdf_