## Data Quality Assessment Framework July 2003 — Summary Results (ROSC data module, Republic of Belarus, March 23–April 7, 2004) ## Source details **Canonical URL:** [Data Quality Assessment Framework July 2003 — Summary Results (ROSC data module, Republic of Belarus, March 23–April 7, 2004)](https://www.imf.org/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/scr/2005/_cr0529.pdf) ## Other formats - [Markdown version](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/scr/2005/_cr0529.pdf.md) - [Structured JSON version](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/scr/2005/_cr0529.pdf.json) --- ### Overall assessment: scope, timing, and immediate actions - Agencies assessed: Ministry of Statistics and Analysis (Minstat), Ministry of Finance (MoF), National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB). - ROSC data module mission dates: March 23–April 7, 2004. - SDDS subscription status at mission: had not yet subscribed; Council of Ministers expressed intention. - Implementation milestone: "The Republic of Belarus subscribed to the SDDS on December 22, 2004." - Web dissemination steps during mission: - Minstat posted long-term time-series price indices during mission. - NBRB announced it would post reserves template by end April 2004; reserves template posted on April 12, 2004. - Preliminary SDDS review: meets or exceeds SDDS coverage, periodicity, timeliness for all SDDS categories except: - Timeliness of national accounts. - Availability of the reserves template (at time of review). - DQAF (July 2003) applied to six datasets; findings structured by DQAF quality dimensions. ### Prerequisites of quality — legal, institutional, and resources - Legal/institutional findings: - Law on State Statistics (1997) defines Minstat roles (annual coordinated statistical work plan, standards). - MoF responsibility for GFS compilation defined only by an internal provision; dissemination limited to IMF, Minstat, NBRB, and other Belarusian agencies. - NBRB statistical responsibilities not fully covered in Banking Code; draft amendments expected Spring 2004. - Resources and capacity: - Minstat total staff: about 2,200; headquarters (Minsk): about 360. - NAD staff: 31; average age: 42.5 years. - Department of Price Statistics total staff: Total: 235 (republic level units: 17; CPI: 10; PPI: 6; Head of Prices level: 1; District level: 118). - HIES sample: approximately 6,000 households; response rate: 86 percent. - CPI: 377 goods and services; CPI price coverage: 41,000 prices; outlets sample: 4,385 outlets (1,043 food; 1,845 nonfood; 1,497 services). - PPI sample: 956 enterprises; 3,000 products; present PPI weights refer to year 2002. - NAD computing: 17 personal computers; planned allocation of new computers in April 2004. - MoF GFS compilation staff: one economist in BPFAFD (workload concerns); MoF doubled GFS staff subsequently. - Backup and continuity: - No adequate emergency off-site backup arrangements for national accounts; CPI/PPI backups limited (two computers plus floppy disk for CPI). - Recommendation: develop improved back-up arrangements including off-site storage. ### Assurances of integrity — professionalism, transparency, ethics - Professionalism: - Legal basis: Law on State Statistics (articles 3, 4, 10, 13, 15), Law on Civil Service. - Minstat entitled to comment on misuse/misinterpretation; NBRB has spokesperson and Code of Professional Ethics (introduced April 2003). - MoF: professionalism recognized in internal provisions; empowered to respond to misinterpretation. - Transparency: - Advance notice: not systematically provided for major methodological changes (Minstat/ MoF); NBRB provides advance notice and posts metadata; Minstat web site states no internal governmental access prior to public release, except summary annual national accounts data provided three months prior. - Metadata: posted for some datasets; national accounts and GFS metadata need enhancement. - Confidentiality and ethics: - Laws guarantee confidentiality; employees sign contracts; physical and IT security measures in place. - Recommendation: clarify legislation to enable Minstat to release otherwise confidential individual data with written consent, used sparingly. ### Methodological soundness — dataset-specific gaps - National accounts: - Framework: compiled according to SNA 1993; all Inter-Secretariat Working Group tables compiled. - Classifications: current activity classification OKONX differs markedly from ISIC; transition to OKED (compatible with ISIC at four-digit level) underway; central product classification planned from January 2005. - Nonobserved economy estimate: NAD current estimate 10 to 11 percent of total GDP. - Basis: enterprise surveys primary; household consumption based on HIES; government data recorded cash then adjusted toward accrual. - Timeliness: quarterly national accounts posted on 90th day after reference period starting Q1 2004; Minstat targeted publication practice: monthly GDP released on the 15th–17th of month following the reference month; quarterly data released on the 90th day. - SDDS timeliness shortfall: national accounts dissemination lag exceeds one quarter SDDS requirement due to delayed BOP inputs from NBRB. - CPI: - Concepts follow international good practice; scope: urban households; imputed rents for owner-occupied housing excluded; used durables (used cars) not weighted. - Frequency/timeliness: monthly dissemination with a lag of 12 days. - Weights: annually updated; present weights refer to year 2002. - Metadata gaps: limited methodology descriptions; no published detail on response rates, non-sampling errors, sample frame, estimation/imputation techniques. - Seasonal adjustment: relevant series not disseminated in seasonally adjusted form; no plans to seasonally adjust. - PPI: - Scope: total industry for 14 main branches; service industries excluded. - Frequency/timeliness: monthly dissemination lag 12 days. - Weights: refer to 2002; long-term series base 1990 = 100 exist but infrequently published. - Methodology: ISIC Revision 3 and partial NACE used at detailed levels; quality adjustments and imputation procedures soundly based. - Government Finance Statistics (GFS): - Concepts broadly consistent with GFSM 1986; plan to migrate to GFSM 2001 not yet prepared at time of assessment. - Basis for recording: revenue/expenditure recorded on a cash basis; Treasury records expenses on accrual basis. - Coverage: scopes incomplete; not all extrabudgetary operations included (innovation funds, some extrabudgetary resources). - Periodicity/timeliness: general government quarterly with one month lag; central government monthly with one month lag — exceed SDDS requirements. - Metadata: GFS and detailed budgetary metadata not accessible to users; MoF planned to post SDDS metadata in Russian and English in January 2005 and GFS on MoF website starting July 2005. - Monetary statistics: - Framework consistent with MFSM; institutional coverage: all resident depository corporations. - Deviations: financial derivatives excluded (treated off-balance sheet); monetary gold valued at historic acquisition cost until change announced (market valuation from April 2004). - Periodicity/timeliness: monthly periodicity; timeliness two weeks; consistent series since 1996. - Revision policy: monthly preliminary subject to revisions for one quarter; end-of-year data revised for six months; policy publicized on NBRB web site though provisional/revised data not clearly identified in publications. - Balance of payments (BOP): - Framework broadly consistent with BPM5; functional category of financial derivatives introduced in BOP publication from January–March 2004 onward. - Source system: closed ITRS complemented by forms (Form 2, Form 3, Form 6-f), customs/statistical declarations, Minstat surveys (shuttle trade, travel). - Timeliness: quarterly BOP disseminated with lag of one quarter; meets SDDS. - Revisions: revision policy established and tables identifying causes of revisions published each quarter; disseminated tables do not distinguish visually between preliminary, revised, and final data (this practice changed for BOP starting Jan–Jun 2004 with methods to differentiate preliminary/revised/final). ### Accuracy and reliability — source data validation and concerns - General practices: - Source data routinely assessed for coverage, sampling error, response error, and nonsampling error; post-enumeration checks for CPI/PPI; enterprise surveys mostly enumerative for large firms. - Enterprise survey response rates: large/medium enterprises virtually 100 percent; small enterprises about 80 percent (small enterprises ~6 percent of GDP). - HIES: diary + interview; each household visited 17 times over 12 months; diary covers 14-day period. - Key concerns: - Mission flagged concerns about accuracy of GDP and industrial and agricultural production data; stressed that distorted basic inputs yield distorted outputs even with correct methods. - No distinct ITRS codes for income on bonds/notes vs money market instruments at time of review. - Banking institutions’ transactions in securities previously calculated residually; methodology revised to calculate flow changes independently and derive valuation/other changes as residual (applied to Jan–Mar 2004 and prior data). - Valuation of monetary gold: NBRB decision to revalue at market prices beginning with data for April 2004 and revise historical series accordingly. - Validation and discrepancy handling: - NAD validates estimates at all stages and uses a statistical discrepancy to balance production and expenditure GDP; statistical discrepancy explicitly shown in current price GDP but not explicitly in constant price series (mission supports publishing discrepancy explicitly in constant price estimates). - Reconciliation gaps: significant differences between fiscal and monetary data on financing of central government; neither MoF nor NBRB carried out comprehensive reconciliation at time of review (detailed reconciliations were performed subsequently for 2003 in July 2004). ### Serviceability — periodicity, timeliness, consistency, revisions - Key periodicity/timeliness facts (as reported): - General government operations: disseminated quarterly with a lag of one month. - Central government operations and debt: disseminated monthly with a lag of one month. - Monetary statistics: periodicity monthly; timeliness two weeks; consistent series available since 1996. - Balance of payments: quarterly with a lag of one quarter. - National accounts: quarterly production-approach GDP available by the ninetieth day; full quarterly GDP published on the one hundred and fifth day (15 weeks) following end of quarter; advance quarterly estimates from cumulative monthly "advance system" available about the fifteenth day after final month of quarter. - Revision timing for annual/quarterly reconciliation: 13 months following end of reporting year. - Revisions: - National accounts revisions for 1990–1999 were done and published but without explanations. - NAD statistical discrepancy ranges (1997–2002): - annual GDP: between minus 0.2 percent and 1.6 percent. - quarterly GDP: between minus 0.2 percent and 5.0 percent. - CPI: data are final once published; index weights updated annually; CPI disseminated 12 days after reference month (summary) and 21 days for more detailed data. - PPI: preliminary release then two months later become final; summary PPI released 12 days after reference month; detailed PPI 21 days after. - BOP revision practice: revision tables identifying causes published each quarter; dissemination did not, at that time, visually distinguish preliminary/revised/final values (method changes introduced Jan–Jun 2004). - Consistency/reconciliation: - Internal consistency generally good for CPI/PPI/monetary/BOP; fiscal-monetary reconciliation incomplete — recommendation for detailed reconciliation of fiscal bank financing with monetary data on changes in net claims on government. ### Accessibility — dissemination, metadata, and user assistance - Dissemination media: - Minstat: publications, web site; advance release calendar posted; simultaneous release to all users (except prior governmental access to summary annual national accounts). - NBRB: monthly Bulletin of Banking Statistics (Russian), bi-weekly Bankauski Vesnik, downloadable Excel data on web site; advance release calendar published. - MoF: posts analytical fiscal reports on web site; GFS to be posted from July 2005 per plans. - Metadata and user assistance: - SDDS-format metadata posted on Minstat and NBRB websites for many indicators; detailed methodological documentation limited or of restricted distribution (Methodological Guidelines printed only 100 copies). - Users reported difficulties: "Users said that request for data are not met in a timely manner." - Contact points provided: names, phone, fax, email in publications/web sites. - User survey (methodology & participation): - Questionnaires sent: 59; responses: 37 — 63 percent response rate. - Key survey highlights (selected exact figures): - Official statistics regularly used by two thirds of respondents. - Price statistics used by 81 percent; monetary statistics by 73 percent; balance of payments by 54 percent. - Satisfaction with periodicity overall: 94 percent (Total Yes: 109; Total No: 7). - Satisfaction with timeliness overall: 78 percent (Total Yes: 86; Total No: 24). - Awareness of an advance release calendar (ARC): over 55 percent; ARC awareness for national accounts: two thirds. - Users finding official statistics easily accessible: Total Yes: 93; Total No: 29 (Yes percent: 76). - Users satisfied that methodology is sound and appropriate: Total Yes: 51; Total No: 37 (Yes percent: 58). - Perceived dataset quality rankings: monetary statistics rated highest; national accounts and government finance rated lower. ### DQAF July 2003 summary ratings (selected dimension highlights) - Key to symbols: O = Practice Observed; LO = Practice Largely Observed; LNO = Practice Largely Not Observed; NO = Practice Not Observed; NA = Not Applicable. - Selected dimension ratings (Table 1 highlights): - 0.1 Legal and institutional environment: - National Accounts: LO; CPI: LO; PPI: LO; Government Finance Statistics: LO; Monetary Statistics: O; Balance of Payments: O. - 0.2 Resources: - National Accounts: LO; CPI: LO; PPI: LO; Government Finance Statistics: LNO; Monetary Statistics: O; Balance of Payments: LO. - 0.3 Relevance: - National Accounts: LNO; CPI: LNO; PPI: LNO; Government Finance Statistics: LO; Monetary Statistics: O; Balance of Payments: O. - 1.2 Transparency: - National Accounts: LNO; CPI: LNO; PPI: LNO; Government Finance Statistics: LNO; Monetary Statistics: O; Balance of Payments: O. - 2.1 Concepts and definitions: - All datasets: O except Government Finance Statistics: LO. - 3.1 Source data: - National Accounts: LO; CPI: O; PPI: O; Government Finance Statistics: O; Monetary Statistics: O; Balance of Payments: LO. - 4.1 Periodicity and timeliness: - National Accounts: LO; CPI: O; PPI: O; Government Finance Statistics: O; Monetary Statistics: O; Balance of Payments: O. - 5.2 Metadata accessibility: - National Accounts: LO; CPI: LO; PPI: LO; Government Finance Statistics: LNO; Monetary Statistics: O; Balance of Payments: LO. ### Key recommendations (cross-cutting and dataset-specific) - Cross-cutting high priority: - Continue preparatory steps for SDDS subscription. - Establish broadly based advisory committees representative of users. - Conduct regular user surveys to assess needs. - Provide more detailed metadata and methodological descriptions in publications and on websites. - Announce major methodological changes in advance. - Improve public awareness of statistics-producing agencies and user understanding. - Develop improved off-site data back-up arrangements. - Clearly mark preliminary and revised data; conduct and publicize revision studies. - Government Finance Statistics — high priority: - Compile and disseminate consolidated central government and general government GFS including all budgetary, social security funds, and extrabudgetary operations using international classifications. - Post GFS on MoF web site and disseminate GFS compiled for IFS and GFSY. - Increase staff, computing, and financing resources for GFS at MoF. - Coordinate MoF and NBRB to carry out detailed reconciliation of fiscal bank financing with monetary changes in net claims on government. - Monetary statistics — high priority: - Revalue monetary gold at market prices with contra entry in revaluation accounts and revise historical series (decision implemented from data for April 2004). - Incorporate financial derivatives into statistics and provide appropriate asset/liability lines. - Coordinate with MoF for detailed reconciliation of changes in net claims on government. - Balance of payments — high priority: - Introduce functional category of financial derivatives in standard BOP presentation. - Calculate financial transactions in securities from changes in stocks independently; derive valuation/other changes as residual (methodology developed and applied to Jan–Mar 2004). - Add separate ITRS codes for income on bonds/notes and money market instruments. - Calculate income on banks' security holdings on an accrual basis. - Establish a survey to collect other sectors' non-guaranteed debt on an accrual basis (Form 2 and form 2-Invest amendments targeted to collect such data starting 2005). ### Implementation progress and planned actions (selected exact items) - Monetary gold valuation: - Since January 1, 2004, monetary gold is valued at market prices; NBRB adjusts previous periods. NBRB decided to revalue gold at market prices in monetary statistics beginning with data for April 2004 and to revise historical time series accordingly. - BOP methodological changes applied: - "Financial Derivatives" section introduced starting with BOP for January–March 2004; prior periods revised. - Method to estimate flow changes of banking sector securities based on stocks and monthly average exchange rates developed and applied to Jan–Mar 2004 and prior periods. - ITRS coding: separate codes for income on bonds/notes and money market instruments to be introduced starting with 2005 data. - BOP schedule changed: BOP data now submitted to Minstat no later than the 80th day after the end of the reporting period (to secure timeliness for national accounts). - Minstat national accounts improvements: - Quarterly national accounts posted on the 90th day after reference period starting with Q1 2004. - Detailed metadata posted on Minstat website since January 2003. - Notification of methodology changes and GDP revision posted on December 30, 2004. - Planned partial replacement of tabular material with diagrams/charts to be completed in March 2005. - MoF GFS reforms and plans: - Innovation funds included in consolidated budget starting with 2005 Annual Budget Law. - Draft functional/economic classifications prepared consistent with GFSM 2001 requirements. - Number of staff involved in GFS compilation doubled; backups installed; reconciliation of fiscal and monetary financing for 2003 completed July 2004. - Metadata concerning SDDS indicators to be posted in Russian and English in January 2005; GFS to be posted on MoF website starting July 2005. - Plan to migrate to GFSM 2001 to be formulated by July 2005; GFS dissemination in GFSM 2001 approach starting January 2006. - NBRB resource and dissemination notes: - MCSD staff: five directly compiling monetary statistics; BSD total staff: 14. - Monthly monetary statistics timeliness: two weeks; consistent time series available since 1996; downloadable Excel data posted on NBRB web site. ### Presentation, follow-up, and next steps - Section II of ROSC data module presents agency/dataset assessments on a four-part scale; Section III contains staff recommendations. - Authorities’ responses and detailed assessments presented separately; IMF Statistics Department prepared Detailed Assessments Using DQAF (July 2003), approved January 24, 2005. *Source: Data Quality Assessment Framework July 2003—Summary Results (ROSC data module, Republic of Belarus, March 23–April 7, 2004).* ### 1. Data Quality Assessment Framework July 2003—Summary Results..................................8 ### 1. Data Quality Assessment Framework July 2003—Summary Results ### Overall assessment — mission scope, timing, and commitment - Mission assessed official statistics compiled by: - Ministry of Statistics and Analysis (Minstat): national accounts, consumer price index (CPI), producer price index (PPI). - Ministry of Finance (MoF): government finance statistics (GFS). - National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB): monetary and balance of payments statistics. - ROSC data module prepared during March 23–April 7, 2004. - The Republic of Belarus had not yet subscribed to the SDDS at the time of the mission; a resolution of the Council of Ministers expressed intention to do so. - Footnote: "The Republic of Belarus subscribed to the SDDS on December 22, 2004." - Authorities began posting data and metadata on the Minstat, MoF, and NBRB web sites during the mission. - Minstat posted long-term time-series price indices on the Internet during the mission. - NBRB announced it would post the international reserves and foreign currency liquidity (reserves template) by end April 2004. - Footnote: "The reserves template data were posted on the NBRB’s web site on April 12, 2004." - Preliminary review relative to SDDS concluded the Republic of Belarus meets or exceeds SDDS coverage, periodicity, and timeliness for all SDDS data categories except: - Timeliness of national accounts. - Availability of the reserves template (at the time of review). - The DQAF (July 2003 version) was applied to six datasets; presentation follows the DQAF’s quality dimensions. ### Prerequisites of quality — legal, institutional, and resource findings - Legal and institutional framework: - Law on State Statistics (1997) specifies organization, coordination, and legal relations for state statistics. - Minstat responsible for preparing an annual coordinated statistical work plan and for setting standards for classifications and compilation methods. - Confidentiality of data is guaranteed by law; mission recommends strengthening legal protection against disclosure of confidential information (including consent for disclosure). - For MoF and NBRB, institutional responsibility for collecting, compiling, and disseminating GFS, monetary, and balance of payments statistics is not always clearly defined under legal/institutional framework. - MoF’s responsibility for collecting and compiling GFS covered only through an internal provision; dissemination limited to IMF departments, Minstat, NBRB, and other Belarusian agencies. - NBRB’s statistical responsibilities were not completely covered in the Banking Code and were being addressed in the National Assembly. - Resources and capacity: - Staff resources at Minstat and NBRB are mostly adequate; MoF staff resources quantitatively inadequate for compilation of GFS. - Computing needs: adequate for CPI and PPI; computing facilities for national accounts need improvement; no provisions for emergency backup of data. - New tasks related to SDDS subscription (external debt and reserves template) may require additional training and staffing at NBRB. - Quality management: - Agencies demonstrate awareness of quality; Minstat has a Department of Statistical Planning to coordinate quality tasks and pilot testing. ### Assurances of integrity — professionalism, transparency, ethics - Professionalism: - All three agencies demonstrate professionalism and provide guidelines on ethical conduct. - Law on State Statistics (articles 4 and 10) and Law on Civil Service underpin commitments to professional behavior, confidentiality, and conflict of interest rules. - Minstat entitled to comment on misuse/misinterpretation of statistics and exercises that right. - Transparency: - Relevance of national accounts, CPI, and PPI is not systematically monitored. - Advance notice is not given to the public about major methodological changes; Minstat’s website states there is no internal governmental access prior to public release, but summary annual national accounts data are made available to government three months prior to public release. - Terms and conditions under which MoF collects, compiles, and disseminates GFS are not publicly available. - Users perceive that major changes in methodology, source data, and statistical techniques are not adequately publicized; serious efforts recommended to address this perception. - Ethical standards: - Detailed in articles 13 and 15 of the Law on State Statistics; duty manual provided to each staff member; recent amendments to Law on Civil Service and training arranged. ### Methodological soundness — adherence to international standards and gaps - General: - All datasets are in stages of meeting internationally accepted methodological guidelines; important gaps remain. - Specific dataset issues: - National accounts: - Minstat’s survey concepts generally accord with international standards, but economic activity and product classifications do not yet meet international standards; work under way to implement these classifications. - Further attention to measurement of the nonobserved economy would be desirable. - Balance of payments inputs for national accounts are not timely enough (per Minstat). - CPI: - Owner-occupied housing and own-account consumption are excluded. - PPI: - Service industries are excluded. - Government finance: - Scopes of compiled finance statistics and budget system operations are incomplete; not all extrabudgetary operations are included. - Monetary and balance of payments: - Classification by instrument does not include financial derivatives. - Valuation of monetary gold recorded at historical acquisition cost (transaction cost) and revalued at irregular intervals by individual NBRB directives. - Decision taken to revalue gold at market prices in monetary statistics beginning with data for April 2004 and to revise historical time series accordingly. ### Accuracy and reliability — source data, validation, and concerns - Source data: - Generally comprehensive and timely source data across the statistical system. - Some datasets receive high marks for accuracy and reliability. - In balance of payments source data, no distinct ITRS codes for financial transactions and related income on bonds and notes and on money market instruments. - Financial institutions’ transactions in securities are calculated as residual after valuation and other changes. - Assessment and validation: - Measures for assessing and validating source, intermediate, and output data appear appropriate. - Mission has concerns about accuracy and reliability of actual data produced, particularly GDP and industrial and agricultural production data. - Mission did not audit basic inputs; emphasized that distorted basic inputs will produce distorted outputs even if methodologies are correct. - Recommendation: all data-producing agencies should enhance data assessment and validation procedures to increase users’ confidence. ### Serviceability — timeliness, consistency, and revisions - Timeliness and periodicity: - Most datasets generally consistent internally and over time, and are available on a timely basis with good frequency. - In general, timeliness and periodicity meet or exceed SDDS requirements, with the exception of national accounts timeliness. - Consistency and reconciliation: - Statistical discrepancy is explicitly shown in GDP estimates at current prices but not in constant price series. - Significant differences exist between fiscal and monetary data on financing of central government; neither MoF nor NBRB carry out comprehensive reconciliation of both datasets. - Revisions: - Revisions of quarterly national accounts were made from 1990 to 1999, but explanations were not published. - Preliminary and revised data are not clearly identified in most datasets. - Policies on revision practices need more detailed dissemination, especially for national accounts and GFS. ### Accessibility — dissemination, metadata, and user assistance - Data dissemination: - Monetary and balance of payments statistics are readily and conveniently available to the public. - Accessibility of statistics and assistance to users in national accounts, CPI, PPI, and GFS could be further improved. - Metadata: - Metadata for all datasets need enhancement, especially national accounts and GFS. - User assistance: - Agencies provide some assistance, but improvement is needed for national accounts, CPI, PPI, and GFS. ### DQAF July 2003 summary ratings (key elements and overall pattern) - Key to symbols: O = Practice Observed; LO = Practice Largely Observed; LNO = Practice Largely Not Observed; NO = Practice Not Observed; NA = Not Applicable. - Dimension highlights from Table 1 (selected entries): - 0. Prerequisites of quality — 0.1 Legal and institutional environment: - National Accounts: LO - CPI: LO - PPI: LO - Government Finance Statistics: LO - Monetary Statistics: O - Balance of Payments Statistics: O - 0.2 Resources: - National Accounts: LO - CPI: LO - PPI: LO - Government Finance Statistics: LNO - Monetary Statistics: O - Balance of Payments Statistics: LO - 0.3 Relevance: - National Accounts: LNO - CPI: LNO - PPI: LNO - Government Finance Statistics: LO - Monetary Statistics: O - Balance of Payments Statistics: O - 1.2 Transparency: - National Accounts: LNO - CPI: LNO - PPI: LNO - Government Finance Statistics: LNO - Monetary Statistics: O - Balance of Payments Statistics: O - 2.1 Concepts and definitions: - All datasets: O except Government Finance Statistics: LO - 3.1 Source data: - National Accounts: LO - CPI: O - PPI: O - Government Finance Statistics: O - Monetary Statistics: O - Balance of Payments Statistics: LO - 4.1 Periodicity and timeliness: - National Accounts: LO - CPI: O - PPI: O - Government Finance Statistics: O - Monetary Statistics: O - Balance of Payments Statistics: O - 5.2 Metadata accessibility: - National Accounts: LO - CPI: LO - PPI: LO - Government Finance Statistics: LNO - Monetary Statistics: O - Balance of Payments Statistics: LO ### Presentation and follow-up - Section II of the ROSC data module presents assessments by agency and dataset on a four-part scale; Section III contains staff recommendations. - Authorities’ response and detailed assessments are presented separately. *Source: Data Quality Assessment Framework July 2003—Summary Results (ROSC data module, Republic of Belarus, March 23–April 7, 2004).* ### 0. Prerequisites of quality ### 0. Prerequisites of quality ### Assurances of integrity — Ministry of Finance (MoF) - Legal and institutional environment - Responsibility for GFS compilation is clearly specified in an internal provision of the MoF. - GFS dissemination is limited to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Ministry of Statistics and Analysis (Minstat), the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB), and other agencies concerned. - Confidentiality of reported data is protected by the Law on State Statistics, the State Secret Law and the Law on Civil Service. - Budgetary legislation requires each administrative authority to submit consolidated budgets to the MoF; some administrative provisions support collection and compilation of GFS. - Data sharing and coordination - Data sharing and coordination among public institutions are adequate, though they can be improved. - Resources (findings and implications) - Staff, computing, and financing resources are quantitatively inadequate for GFS compilation in the MoF. - Additional computing resources are needed, and additional financial resources should be provided. - Relevance and user feedback - The MoF does not undertake research to identify new and emerging data requirements. - User requests for changes in the data compiled and disseminated are taken into account for future quality improvements. - There are no surveys for obtaining feedback about the relevance and practical utility of fiscal data for analytical purposes, although some feedback is received from other government units. - Other quality management - Increased coverage of institutions, timeliness, and periodicity has been implemented (for example, social protection funds are now included in the budget). - No formal processes to assess the quality of the GFS exist, though some monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure consistency of data. - Professionalism and ethics - Culture of professionalism is recognized in the MoF internal provisions and in the Law on Civil Service. - Choice and tenure of the compiling unit’s head are based on an independent process. - Efforts to promote professionalism include sending staff to training courses abroad, contracting experts for on-the-job training, analytical work, publication of methodological papers, and organization of lectures and seminars. - Professionalism is a key factor in recruitment and promotion; no evidence exists of political interference in choice of data sources and statistical methods. - The MoF is empowered to respond to misinterpretation/misuse of fiscal statistics. - Ethical standards are guided by the Law on Civil Service and MoF internal provisions; staff are generally aware of ethical provisions. Civil servants may face disciplinary, administrative, criminal, or other penalties for non-execution or improper execution of responsibilities. - Transparency - Public has unimpeded access to the budget legislation and the broad legal framework for collection, compilation and dissemination of fiscal data. - The MoF does not make available to the public the terms and conditions under which it collects, compiles, and disseminates GFS. - No official agency outside of the MoF has access to data prior to publication; this practice is not publicly announced. - All GFS products that are disseminated clearly identify the producing agencies and data sources. - Explanatory notes are provided when changes are introduced in publications, but no advance notice is given to the public about major changes in methodology or other relevant changes that materially affect GFS. ### Assurances of integrity — National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) - Legal and institutional environment - NBRB’s statistical responsibilities are defined in the Banking Code and the NBRB Statute. - NBRB’s rights to collect statistical information are adequately defined; compilation of balance of payments data is listed among NBRB functions. - Dissemination of these data to the public is not clearly mandated; responsibilities for compiling and disseminating monetary statistics are not stipulated. - Draft amendments to the Banking Code, expected to be enacted in the Spring 2004 session of the National Assembly, contain adequate references to NBRB rights and responsibilities regarding compilation and dissemination of balance of payments and monetary statistics. - Data sharing and confidentiality - Data sharing and coordination among data-producing agencies are adequate, with sufficient safeguards to ensure data confidentiality. - Resources - Under normal circumstances, units compiling balance of payments and monetary statistics have adequate personnel and material resources, including sufficient computer equipment. - Concern that recent additional tasks related to the SDDS subscription (external debt framework and reserves template) may require additional training and resources. - Concern that expansion of tasks of the Money and Credit Statistics Division (MCSD) to datasets not directly related to monetary statistics may render staff resources inadequate for implementing the new data presentation framework based on the Monetary and Financial Statistical Manual (MFSM) and for establishing compilation systems for transactions and other flows. - Relevance and user engagement - Regular formal consultations with official users are held via the Interagency Council of Statistics and quarterly meetings on money and credit policy. - Users’ views are actively sought through informal channels, academia contacts, and contact details provided in the NBRB’s Bulletin of Banking Statistics and on the NBRB’s web site. - Data presentation formats are occasionally modified in response to users’ requests. - Other quality management - Procedures in place that focus on quality (for example, design and development of the ITRS form; plans for implementing new framework for monetary statistics). - Close statistical cooperation with the Central Bank of Russia supports quality improvement. - Professionalism and ethics - Statutory provisions support NBRB impartiality in compiling monetary and balance of payments statistics. - Staff are provided adequate professional independence and opportunities for external courses and on-the-job training. - Choice of sources and statistical methods is determined solely by statistical considerations. - Misinterpretations are addressed through the NBRB’s spokesperson; metadata and explanatory methodological notes are provided on the NBRB web site and in publications. - A Code of Professional Ethics of the Employee of the NBRB was introduced in April 2003, including provisions to avoid conflict of interest; each employee is required to know and follow the code. - Transparency - Legislation governing NBRB’s statistical activities is publicly available. - There is no governmental access to statistics prior to release; access to all users is provided simultaneously and this policy is publicly announced in posted metadata. - Appropriate NBRB unit is clearly identified as producer of data; advance notice is given on major methodological changes and reasons for adjustments in time series are explained in comments. ### Methodological soundness and accuracy — National Accounts - Concepts, scope, and classification - National accounts compiled according to System of National Accounts 1993 (SNA 1993). - All tables and accounts required by the Inter-Secretariat Working Group on National Accounts are compiled. - Quarterly estimates of GDP at constant prices by production and by expenditure are published. - Institutional units and transactions accord with SNA 1993. - Classifications do not yet meet ISIC and CPC, though work is under way to progressively implement international standards. - COICOP is used for household consumption; COFOG is used for general government expenditures. - Basis of recording and source data - Value added and all components of GDP by expenditure accord with international standards of valuation; transactions recorded on an accrual basis. - Primary source is the enterprise survey; response rates for surveys are very high. - Source data are generally suitable and available timely (apart from certain balance of payments components); use is made of administrative sources. - Most surveys are fully enumerated; sampling errors are calculated for the household survey based on random sampling methods. - Mission view: national accounts source data, particularly on GDP and industrial and agricultural production data, are not fully accurate and reliable. - Statistical techniques and validation - Techniques for compiling GDP by production and expenditure are generally satisfactory. - Measurement of the non-observed economy requires refinement. - Constant price estimation methods are generally satisfactory. - Estimates are validated at all stages; a statistical discrepancy is used to balance the two GDP estimates after major components validated. - Studies of revisions have been carried out on an occasional basis. - Periodicity, timeliness, and consistency - National accounts are disseminated quarterly (in conformity with the SDDS) but with a longer delay than the one month timeliness SDDS requirement. - Data are generally consistent internally and over time, with an exception regarding treatment of the statistical discrepancy (explicitly shown in current price estimates; in constant price estimates, included in net exports). - Revisions for 1990 to 1999 were made and published on a consistent basis. - Explicit revision policy is included in a published document and followed closely by staff; annual accounts are not generally subject to further revision subsequent to publication based on actual annual data. - Accessibility and metadata - National account statistics are disseminated in publications with sufficient detail but few charts and no analytical comments. - Monthly GDP data published for cumulative (year to date) period and not for individual months; quarterly discrete series are available. - Data are released on a preannounced schedule; advance release calendars posted on the web site. - Statistics are released simultaneously to all users, except for prior governmental access to annual data. - Metadata are posted on Minstat’s web site in a format similar to the SDDS; detailed metadata published in the Methodological Guidelines that has limited distribution. - Publications show information about concepts and definitions, but very little on sources and methods; a significant number of users were not satisfied with metadata or its accessibility. - Assistance to users: contact name and telephone number included in statistical publications; some users find obtaining official statistics a long process and responses from Minstat not very clear. ### Consumer Price Index (CPI) — methodological soundness, accuracy, serviceability, accessibility - Concepts, scope, and classification - CPI follows concepts and definitions and basis for recording of international good practices. - Scope includes urban households whose major activity involves an unincorporated business activity; only household purchases, not own-account consumption, are included. - CPI includes 377 goods and services; imputed rents from owner-occupied dwellings and sales of illegal market goods and services are excluded; goods and services produced for own final consumption are not included. - SNA 1993 is followed to classify household units and transactions; COICOP guidelines used to classify consumption activities. - Basis for recording and source data - Basis for recording is market prices; weights are not applied to purchase of existing durable goods such as used cars. - Source data provide an adequate basis to compile the CPI and reasonably approximate definitions, scope, classifications, valuation, and time of recording. - Measures taken in assessment of source data; sampling errors for each survey monitored monthly. - Statistical techniques and validation - Statistical techniques are generally sound; weights are annually updated. - Intermediate data and outputs are assessed and validated, but control edits are not supported by computer programs; verifications and assessments are done manually. - Revision studies are routinely conducted primarily on weight updating; findings used to minimize future errors. - Periodicity and timeliness - CPI is disseminated monthly with a lag of 12 days and, accordingly, exceeds the one month SDDS timeliness requirements. - Consistency and revisions - No consistency issues at regional or subgroup levels; long-term time series (base year 1990) exist for three subgroups (food, non food, and services) but are infrequently published. - Revision policy is known to data users; CPI data are not revised once published. Index weights are updated annually. Studies of annual weight updating are conducted but not disseminated. - Accessibility and metadata - Advance release calendar available on Minstat’s web site; data are simultaneously released to all users. - CPI data generally accessible, but infrequent publication of long-term time-series data of five years or longer with a given reference base does not meet international good practices for index publication. - Relevant series are not disseminated in seasonally adjusted form and there are no plans to seasonally adjust the data. - Metadata available on Minstat’s web site, but only limited CPI methodology descriptions provided; no published information on survey sources such as response rates, survey monitoring, non-sampling errors, sample frame, sample design, estimation, and imputation techniques. - Assistance to users provided by facsimile, email, and internet address with contact name; Minstat publishes print catalog of publications. Users indicate requests for data are not met in a timely manner. ### Producer Price Index (PPI) — methodological soundness, accuracy, serviceability, accessibility - Concepts, scope, and classification - Concepts and definitions for the PPI and principles of national accounts broadly follow internationally accepted good practices. - PPI scope covers total industry for 14 main branches; service industries are excluded; own-account production and own-account dwellings not covered. - SNA 1993 is followed in classifying institutional units and transactions; ISIC used at industrial detail and NACE also used to classify principal economic activity of enterprises. - Basis for recording and source data - Basis for recording is valuation rule used for valuing output (for weights of the PPI); product prices collected are based on basic/producer prices. - PPI source data used to construct weights and prices are sound and comprehensive; assessment of source data is routinely conducted. - Unusually large movements in prices are traced back to the enterprise for verification when warranted; post-enumeration checks are made and the index is revised back for two months. - Statistical techniques and validation - Statistical techniques employ sound procedures; adjustments to unit records made only when clearly warranted and identified in price tabulations. - Procedures for imputation and adjustments for non-response are soundly based. - PPI is checked and assessed against relevant components of the CPI and national accounts. - Revision studies mainly conducted on weight revisions; findings used to minimize future errors. - Periodicity and timeliness - PPI is disseminated monthly with a lag of 12 days and, accordingly, exceeds the one month SDDS timeliness requirements. - Consistency and revisions - Long-term series (base year 1990) exist but are infrequently published. - PPI series are published for industry and product classifications and carefully checked for internal consistency. - Revision policy is known to data users: preliminary data are first released and then two months after PPI data become final; revision studies are conducted but not published in official statistical publications. - Accessibility and metadata - Advance release calendar available on Minstat’s web site; data released to all users simultaneously. - PPI data generally accessible, but infrequent publication of long-term time-series data of five years or greater with a given reference base does not meet international best practices for index publication. - Relevant series are not disseminated in seasonally adjusted form and there are no plans to seasonally adjust the data. - Metadata available on Minstat’s web site, but limited PPI methodology descriptions provided; no published information on survey sources such as response rates, survey monitoring, non-sampling errors, sample frame, sample design, estimation, and imputation techniques. - Assistance to users available by facsimile, email, and internet address with contact name; Minstat publishes a comprehensive catalog of publications. Users indicate requests for data are not met in a timely manner. *Source: _cr0529 - 0. Prerequisites of quality* ### 2. Methodological soundness ### 2. Methodological soundness ### Government Finance Statistics — concepts, sources, recording - Concepts and definitions of the fiscal data are broadly consistent with the recommendations of A Manual of Government Finance Statistics 1986 (GFSM 1986). - The authorities have not yet prepared a plan to migrate to Government Finance Statistics Manual 2001 (GFSM 2001). - Scope - MoF maintains records of all operations of the general government units, but the scopes of the GFS and budget data are incomplete and do not include some extrabudgetary operations. - Classification/sectorization - GFS classification is mostly in accordance with GFSM 1986. - Budgetary expenditures are classified by institution and by function. - Basis for recording - Revenue, expenditure, and financing in the GFS and budgetary data are recorded on a cash basis. - The Treasury of the MoF keeps records of expenses on an accrual basis. - Most transactions are shown on a gross basis, in line with GFSM 1986. - Source data and assessment - Source data cover detailed financial information on all budgetary units and some extrabudgetary funds. - The general budget classification is broadly aligned with GFSM 1986. - Source data are reported in a timely manner. - Some procedures for assessment of source data are in place to evaluate accuracy of budget execution data (and some refinements are planned). - Statistical techniques and validation - Fiscal data are based on comprehensive information; no statistical adjustments are carried out. - Data on local governments are based on comprehensive information. - Budget execution reports are based on comprehensive information. - Intermediate data are assessed and validated against accounting data and banking statements. - Cross-checking with the NBRB on changes in deposits is performed every year. - Main statistical outputs of the GFS are validated against other macroeconomic statistics; all discrepancies between GFS and intermediate data are investigated. - Revision studies and analyses are not conducted. - Periodicity and timeliness - General government operations are disseminated quarterly with a lag of one month. - Central government operations and debt are disseminated monthly with a lag of one month. - The periodicity and timeliness of general government operations and central government debt exceed the SDDS requirements. - Consistency and revisions - Statistics are consistent within the dataset over a reasonable period, but not always with other data sources/statistical frameworks; comprehensive reconciliation with monetary data is not carried out. - The annual GFS published for the first time are preliminary; final data are published following revisions when all institutions provide revised data. - Preliminary and final data are adequately noted in publications; both are disseminated with the same level of detail and through the same media. - The revision policy is not publicized. - Accessibility and metadata - Detailed underlying data are not provided, affecting data accessibility. - Presentation facilitates analysis; main statistical publication is a table compiled for SDDS subscription. - Fiscal data are disseminated according to a preannounced calendar and made available to all users simultaneously. - Authorities indicate nonpublished, nonconfidential, and disaggregated data are made available upon request, but availability and terms are not publicized. - Concepts, scope, classifications, basis of recording, data sources, and statistical methods for budget data are documented as internal provisions in the MoF; the same documentation is not provided for GFS. - GFS and detailed budgetary metadata are not accessible to users. - Assistance to users is provided by publicizing a contact person’s name, an email address and telephone number on the MoF’s web site. ### Monetary statistics — concepts, sources, recording - Concepts and definitions - The analytical framework reflects concepts and definitions that are, in general, consistent with the Monetary and Financial Statistical Manual MFSM. - Scope and classification - Scope covers all resident depository corporations, including those in the process of liquidation, consistent with MFSM guidelines. - Classification/sectorization follow MFSM guidelines except for financial derivatives, which are recorded as off-balance sheet items and excluded from statistics. - Basis for recording - Accounting rules are consistent with MFSM guidelines. - Transactions are recorded on an accrual basis; accrued interest is incorporated into outstanding amounts. - Contrary to MFSM guidelines, monetary gold was valued at historic acquisition cost rather than market prices. (NBRB decided to apply market price valuation of gold in monthly monetary statistics beginning with data for April 2004, and to revise historical data accordingly.) - Source data and assessment - Source data are balance sheet items of depository corporations and supplementary information from banks and the IMF; these data are timely and provide a reasonably good approximation of required concepts. - Compilers routinely assess and modify source data (e.g., charts of accounts) when needed. - Statistical techniques and validation - Compilation is largely automated, minimizing processing time and errors. - Intermediate results are routinely validated against other reports. - Revision studies are periodically carried out and used internally to inform statistical processes. - Periodicity, timeliness, consistency - Periodicity is monthly and timeliness is two weeks, which meet or—for analytical accounts of the banking sector—exceed SDDS timeliness. - Consistent time series are available since 1996. - Intermediate data are reconciled with balance of payments and IIP; reconciliation with GFS is not carried out. - Revision policy and practice - Monthly data are preliminary and subject to revisions for one quarter after publication; end-of-year data for six months after publication. - This data revision policy is publicized on the NBRB’s web site. - Preliminary and revised data are not clearly identified as such; revisions are explained in footnotes, but no revision studies are publicized. - Accessibility and metadata - Data are disseminated in hard copy in the monthly Bulletin of Banking Statistics and the bi-weekly Bankauski Vesnik in Russian; the Bulletin of Banking Statistics in English is available quarterly. - Downloadable Excel data are posted on the NBRB’s web site in Russian. - An advance release calendar is published in the Bulletin and posted on the web site. - Data are released simultaneously to all users; unpublished and nonconfidential data are made available free of charge upon request. - A methodological commentary is published in the Bulletin and on the web site; metadata are posted in SDDS-based format, but description of accounting and valuation rules needs improvement. - Assistance to users: contact information (name, phone) provided in the Bulletin and— including email and fax—on the web site. ### Balance of payments statistics — concepts, sources, recording - Concepts and definitions - Balance of payments broadly follows the IMF’s Balance of Payments Manual, fifth edition (BPM5). - Scope and classification - Scope is broadly consistent with internationally accepted standards; classification/sectorization broadly consistent, but financial derivatives are not included. - Basis for recording - Basis for recording flows and stocks mostly follows international guidelines; income account is not fully on an accrual basis. - Grossing/netting procedure follows BPM5 guidelines. - Source data and assessment - Source data are collected from comprehensive data collection programs taking into account country-specific conditions. - No distinct ITRS codes are available for income on bonds and notes and on money market instruments. - Regular assessment and validation of source and intermediate data are undertaken. - Statistical techniques and validation - Techniques are sound and consistent with international practices, except bank transactions in securities are derived residually. - Intermediate results and statistical outputs are regularly assessed and validated. - Revision studies and analyses of revisions are carried out routinely and used to inform processes, particularly for merchandise trade data. - Periodicity, timeliness, consistency - Quarterly balance of payments are disseminated with a lag of one quarter and meet SDDS requirements. - Data are consistent internally and over time, reconciled with merchandise trade statistics and national accounts. - Data are consistent with external debt and IIP statistics as they result from the same sources. - Revision policy and practice - The revision policy is well established and transparent; tables identifying causes of revisions and comparisons of initial and revised estimates are published each quarter. - The impact of methodological changes is explained to users. - Disseminated tables do not distinguish between preliminary, revised, and final data. - Accessibility and metadata - Balance of payments statistics are accessible on the NBRB’s web site and are released simultaneously to all users according to a pre-announced schedule. - The bulletin on Quarterly Balance of Payments Statistics provides very comprehensive tables and analysis at different levels of detail. - Metadata are accessible in internet based SDDS formats, methodological notes in the quarterly bulletin, and dedicated boxes on methodological changes. (A comprehensive documentation on data source, concepts and definitions, and methodology is under preparation.) - Prompt assistance to users is available on the NBRB’s web site; staff or department contact information is available on all dissemination formats. ### Assessment summaries and common methodological issues - Across datasets, assessments note: - Some internationally recommended categories (notably financial derivatives) are not incorporated in fiscal, monetary, and balance of payments statistics. - Reconciliations between fiscal (GFS) and monetary data are not fully carried out and detailed reconciliations of fiscal bank financing with monetary changes are recommended. - Metadata accessibility is uneven: internal documentation exists for budget data but not for GFS; monetary and BOP metadata are better publicized but some valuation/accounting descriptions need improvement. - Revision studies are lacking for GFS and are present/periodic for monetary and BOP statistics, but publication and clear identification of preliminary vs. revised data are deficient. ### Key periodicity, timeliness, and data notes (as reported) - General government operations: disseminated quarterly with a lag of one month. - Central government operations and debt: disseminated monthly with a lag of one month. - Monetary statistics: periodicity monthly; timeliness two weeks; consistent time series available since 1996. - Balance of payments: quarterly with a lag of one quarter. - Monetary gold valuation change: NBRB decided market price valuation beginning with data for April 2004. ### Recommendations (from the ROSC) - Cross-cutting high priority - Following the authorities’ decision to subscribe to SDDS, continue preparatory steps for this subscription. - Establish broadly based advisory committees representative of various groups of users. - Conduct regular users surveys to determine if statistical agencies are meeting user needs. - Provide more detailed metadata and methodological descriptions in statistical publications and on the three institutions’ web sites. - Announce major changes in methodology in advance of publication of revised data. - Improve public awareness of statistics producing agencies, and user understanding of official data. - Develop improved back-up arrangements for storage of data, including off-site storage. - Clearly mark data that are preliminary or revised. - Conduct and publicize revision studies. - Government Finance Statistics — high priority - Compile and disseminate GFS for the consolidated central government and the general government including all budgetary, social security funds, and extrabudgetary operations using the classification determined by international standards. - Disseminate on MoF’s web site the GFS compiled and published in the IMF’s International Financial Statistics (IFS) and Government Finance Statistics Yearbook (GFSY). - Increase staff resources and provide more computing and financing resources for GFS compilation in the MoF. - Coordinate with the NBRB to carry out a detailed reconciliation of fiscal data on bank financing with monetary data on changes in net claims on government. - Government Finance Statistics — other recommendations - Improve presentations of disseminated GFS to include additional breakdowns and time series. - Establish a plan and timetable for adopting GFSM 2001; commence relevant training; and start recording government transactions both on a cash and on an accrual basis. - Monetary statistics — high priority - Carry out statistical adjustments to monthly data to revalue monetary gold at market prices, with a contra entry in revaluation accounts. - Incorporate data on financial derivatives in the statistics, providing appropriate lines both in assets and liabilities. - Coordinate with the MoF to carry out a detailed reconciliation of monetary data on changes in net claims on government with fiscal data on bank financing. - Monetary statistics — other recommendations - Enhance the description of methodology provided to users to include more information on the recording basis and valuation rules. - Balance of payments — high priority - Introduce the functional category of financial derivatives in the standard balance of payments presentation. - Calculate financial transactions in securities from changes in stocks independently, and derive valuation and other changes as a residual. - Add separate codes for income on bonds and notes, and money market instruments. - Calculate income on bank’s security holdings on an accrual basis. - Establish a survey to collect data on other sectors’ non guaranteed debt on an accrual basis. *Source: _cr0529 - 2. Methodological soundness* ### 1. Since January 1, 2004, monetary gold is valued at market prices. At present, the ### _cr0529 - 1. Since January 1, 2004, monetary gold is valued at market prices. At present, the ### Monetary statistics and balance of payments (BOP): methodological changes and implementation - Since January 1, 2004, monetary gold is valued at market prices; the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) adjusts this indicator for previous periods. - The accounting of financial derivatives on the NBRB’s and banks’ balance sheet accounts for compilation of monetary surveys is under examination. - In July 2004, the NBRB conducted a detailed comparison of monetary data on changes in net claims to the Government with tax and budget data on banking financing; the IMF was informed of the results. - BOP presentation changes and methodological developments: - Starting from the publication of the BOP for January-March 2004, the section “Financial Derivatives” was introduced; the BOP presentation for previous periods was revised. - A methodology for estimating flow changes of the banking sector’s securities (assets, portfolio investments) based on stocks and monthly average exchange rates was developed; flow changes are calculated independently and valuation and other changes are derived as a residual. This methodology was used to estimate BOP data for January-March 2004 and applied to revise data for previous periods. - Under current procedures of amending banks’ reports, the NBRB plans to introduce separate codes for income on bonds, notes and money market instruments into the ITRS to obtain the necessary breakdown starting from the data for 2005. - The BOP Department commenced developing approaches on applying the accrual basis when estimating income on the banking sector’s securities. - Government statistical reporting form 2-Invest was amended to collect data on unguaranteed debts of other sectors on an accrual basis beginning from the 2005 data. - Methods of differentiating preliminary, revised and final BOP data in disseminated tables were developed and introduced beginning with the BOP for January-June 2004. - The BOP compilation schedule was changed to secure timeliness for national accounts: BOP data are now submitted to the Ministry of Statistics no later then the 80th day after the end of the reporting period. - Institutional milestone: - The Republic of Belarus subscribed to the Special Data Dissemination Standards on December 22, 2004. ### Ministry of Statistics and Analysis — System of National Accounts, price and industrial statistics: progress and remaining tasks - System of National Accounts (SNA) publication and dissemination: - Quarterly national accounts are posted on the 90th day after the reference period, starting with data for the first quarter of 2004 (Minstat website). - As of May 2004 the Quarterly Estimates of Gross Domestic Product publication contains more detailed information on methods for estimating GDP and on their sources; data on net exports at constant prices and statistical discrepancy are published separately; a brief analysis of the data is provided. - Information on national accounts is released simultaneously to all users: monthly GDP data are released on the 15th–17th of the month following the reference month (Socio-Economic Situation of the Republic of Belarus report, Minstat website); quarterly data are released on the 90th day after the reference period (Minstat website). - Detailed metadata on the system of national accounts have been posted on the Minstat website since January 2003. - Notification of a broad range of users of changes in methodology for estimating GDP and revision of GDP data compared to previously published data was posted on December 30, 2004 (Minstat website). - Planned: partial replacement of tabular material with diagrams and charts, starting with the National Accounts of the Republic of Belarus publication; to be completed in March 2005. - Price statistics: - Time series of consumer and producer price indices were posted and updated monthly on the Minstat website on the 12th of the month following the reference period. - The inclusion of used durable goods (for example, automobiles) in the consumer price index is being studied. - Computer programs were developed to support control audits for verification of data and identification of errors. - Industrial statistics: - Monthly indices of the physical volume of industrial output with a fixed base (2000 = 100%) are posted on the Minstat website, with an explanation of differences between indices based on a previous period and those on a fixed base period. ### Ministry of Finance — government finance statistics (GFS): reforms implemented and plans - Review and actions following the ROSC – Data Module: - The Ministry reviewed the ROSC—Data Module on GFS and considers its recommendations in improving GFS methodology. - Implemented measures: - Starting with the 2005 Annual Budget Law, innovation funds previously treated as extrabudgetary resources are included in the consolidated budget to expand coverage and record these resources using the budget classification. - Draft functional and economic classifications and draft classification of budget revenue were prepared consistent with GFSM 2001 requirements. - The number of staff involved in the compilation of GFS has been doubled; additional computer equipment installed; GFS data are backed up regularly. - A detailed reconciliation of fiscal and monetary data pertaining to financing of the budget deficit for 2003 was done in July 2004 and presented to the IMF. - The decision was made to bring the methodology for compilation of fiscal statistics into line with the GFS Manual 2001. - Metadata concerning SDDS indicators will be posted in Russian and English on the Ministry of Finance website in January 2005. - Government finance statistics will be posted on the Ministry of Finance’s website starting in July 2005. - Planned actions (still to be done): - The data on execution of the consolidated budget will be posted on the Ministry of Finance website in May 2005. - Further expansion of budget coverage by including extrabudgetary operations and recording them in accordance with the budget classification starting in 2006. - The IMF is expected to perform an expert assessment of the draft classification of budget revenues. - The number of staff involved in GFS and classification issues will be increased starting in January 2005. - Annual reconciliation of fiscal and monetary statistics will be performed by the Ministry of Finance together with the NBRB. - A plan of migration to the GFS Manual 2001 will be formulated by July 2005. - The regulatory-legal basis for the budget process and budget classification and relevant metadata are planned to be posted on the Ministry of Finance’s website within the same timeframe as SDDS metadata (January 2005). - Software for compilation of quarterly reports on GFS for inclusion in the IMF’s GFS Yearbook will be upgraded in 2005. - Plans to publish GFS data on the Ministry of Finance’s website in accordance with the GFS Manual 2001 approach starting in January 2006. ### Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF) — national accounts: institutional prerequisites and legal framework - The Detailed Assessment uses the Data Quality Assessment Framework, July 2003 version. - Accountability and legal basis: - The production of official statistics is the responsibility of the Ministry of Statistics and Analysis of the Republic of Belarus (Minstat) under the Law on State Statistics adopted by the House of Representatives on January 11, 1997, approved by the Council of the Republic on January 30, 1997, and signed by the President on February 17, 1997. - The Minstat is accountable to the Council of Ministers, has its own settlement account and other banking accounts, and comprises oblast, district and city agencies of statistics forming a single system. - The Minstat is headed by a Minister who is a government member and can issue binding directives to subordinate statistical bodies. - An Inter-Agency Council for State Statistics (chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister) exists as an advisory body comprising senior government officials; it reviews methods, questionnaires, and statistical work plan proposals and forwards recommendations to the Council of Ministers. - Legal rights and responsibilities under the Law on State Statistics: - Article 3: tasks include collecting, processing, compiling and analyzing economic and social statistics using scientifically based methodology, and disseminating statistical information to governmental authorities and other users. - Article 10: State statistical authorities have the right to receive statistical data from legal entities and entrepreneurs, verify reliability and require corrective actions, and require non-incorporated entities to comply. - Article 11: ministries and central authorities producing state statistics may receive and use statistical data and monitor primary accounting and reporting authenticity. - Article 12: State statistical authorities must organize statistical observations and ensure accessibility and non-disclosure of primary data. - Assessment context and mission: - The report is based on information provided prior to and during a staff mission during March 23–April 7, 2004, and publicly available information. - The mission team was headed by Mr. Gérard G. Raymond and comprised Messrs. Roman Skarzynski and Samuele Rosa, Mmes. Rita Mesias and Shelley Winston (Statistics Department), Mr. David Allen (Expert), and Ms. Claudia Fagbemi (Assistant). - The Detailed Assessments Using the Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF July 2003) is prepared by the Statistics Department and approved by Robert W. Edwards and Michael C. Deppler (January 24, 2005). *Prepared by the Statistics Department; Detailed Assessments Using the Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF July 2003).* ### Section 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus provides that citizens have the right ### _cr0529 - Section 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus provides that citizens have the right ### Legal framework and institutional responsibilities - Section 34 of the Constitution: citizens have the right to receive information on the activities of State bodies; State bodies shall provide citizens with an opportunity to obtain access to materials pertaining to their rights and legitimate interests. - Article 12 of the Law on State Statistics endorses Section 34. - The Minstat’s extensive publication program is consistent with the constitutional provision. - Within the Minstat, the National Accounts Department (NAD) is responsible for compilation of the national accounts for the Republic of Belarus. ### Data sharing, coordination, and mandates - The Law on State Statistics provides for data sharing and coordination of statistical activities: - Article 5: ministries and other central administrative authorities shall compile state statistics in accordance with the forms and methodological instructions approved by the central statistical authority. - Article 7: State statistical observations shall be carried out by state statistical authorities, ministries, and other central administrative authorities on the basis of methodological instructions, programs, and forms approved by the central statistical authority. - Article 10: decisions of the state statistical authorities, within their competence, shall be mandatory for implementation by ministries, other central administrative authorities, local executive and administrative authorities, legal entities and other individual entrepreneurs. - Article 13: ministries and other central administrative authorities that compile state statistics shall ensure collection, processing, and reliability of statistical data in their areas of responsibility; and supply to state statistical authorities, on their demand, statistical data specified by state statistical reporting. - The Department of Statistical Planning and Statistical Monitoring within the Minstat is responsible for ensuring effective coordination between the Minstat and ministries and other data-producing agencies. - Article 6: State statistical authorities are financed from state budget funds in accordance with the statistical work plan approved by the Council of Ministers; additional work may be financed from supplementary state budget funds or funds provided by requesters. - The statistical work plan: - Is prepared in consultation with ministries and administrative bodies. - Is approved in August of each year and covers the following five years. - Is reviewed annually by the Board of Management; allows some flexibility to incorporate major new statistical requirements between annual reviews. ### Confidentiality, legal protections, and recommended clarifications - Article 9: information containing state and commercial secrets shall not be subject to disclosure; statistical information shall be used for State and scientific purposes and for informing the public. - Article 12: State statistical authorities must preserve state and commercial secrecy; primary data obtained from legal entities or physical persons are to be used exclusively for statistical purposes. - Article 13: ministries and other central administrative authorities that produce state statistics shall preserve state and commercial secrecy. - Article 15: employees producing state statistics must not violate the Law concerning the collection and use of statistical data and must not conceal or distort them; Minstat employees are required to sign a contract at commencement of employment that they will not divulge State secrets; reinforced in a Duty Manual. - Article 21 of the Law on Civil Service (law No. 204-3 of June 14, 2003): civil servants must not disseminate state secrets entrusted to them; disclosure could result in dismissal from the civil service. - Minstat practices and observations: - All computers are password protected. - Officials reported no instance of employee violation of confidentiality requirements. - Minstat ensures confidentiality where one or two nongovernment enterprises contribute to a statistical cell, but rules are not applied where government enterprises are concerned. - Written consent from an entity to disclose its data sometimes exists, but: - It is unclear from legislation whether Minstat has authority to release individual data with consent of the entity. - The mission recommends clarifying the legislation to enable limited release with consent. - Recommendation: - The Minstat should consider seeking an amendment to the Law on State Statistics enabling the Minstat to release data that would otherwise be confidential with the consent of the entity (entities) involved; to be used sparingly, for publication of significant data where only one or two entities are involved (example: production of a specific commodity by one or two producers). - Operational security: - All survey questionnaires state clearly on the top of the front page that information collected by the Minstat will be kept confidential and used for statistical purposes only. - Officials assured adequate physical security for premises, protection of computing facilities, and encoding procedures. - Mission observation: - More comprehensive procedures are required to guide staff to ensure published statistics do not disclose information relating to an individual entity, directly or by deduction, to maintain public confidence. ### Statistical reporting, compliance, and enforcement - Article 8: all legal entities, and entrepreneurs who have not formed legal entities, shall submit statistical reports free of charge, observing forms, deadlines, and addresses approved by the central statistical authority. Questionnaires and deadlines for banks shall be approved by the central statistical authority as agreed with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB). - Article 14: officials and entrepreneurs operating without legal entity status who evade mandatory submission, submit distorted data, or violate established schedules are in breach of legislation; damage caused by submission of distorted data shall be subject to penalty under legislation. - Minstat powers and practice: - Minstat employees may visit business entities to check accuracy of reported data; inspections are selectively undertaken, sometimes with branch ministry specialists. - In 2003, inspections on data accuracy were carried out at 3,700 business entities; amendments were incorporated where discrepancies were discovered. - Where an entity refuses to provide information required, Minstat may require appearance before a court; court may impose a penalty. Court action is used as last resort and is exercised relatively infrequently; such cases have received favorable publicity, likely having a deterrent effect. - Mission note: - Minstat has very strong powers to collect information, reflected in very high response rates and presumably accurate responses. - Minstat has not widely used non-coercive approaches to encourage response (e.g., brochures explaining uses and importance of specific statistics; supply of summary data free of charge to respondents). - Recommendation: - The Minstat may wish to consider supplementary approaches (brochures, summary data) to maintain high response levels. ### Resources: staff, facilities, computing, and training - Minstat staffing and composition: - Total staff: about 2,200. - Headquarters (Minsk): about 360. - About 90 percent of the staff is female. - Retirement age normally 55 years; some retirees re-appointed as temporary employees. - NAD staffing and profile: - NAD staff: 31. - Head of NAD regards 31 as adequate for present tasks; significant increase in responsibilities would warrant examination of adequacy. - Mission suggests allocation of specific resources in NAD (example: one person dedicated to estimation of the nonobserved economy) (see section 3.3.1). - Staffing stability: only four new staff joined the NAD during the last five years. - Age profile: about 50 percent of the staff are aged over 45 years (retirement usually at age 55); the other 50 percent are mainly aged between 25 and 35. - Average age of NAD staff: 42.5 years. - New staff typically join as graduates of the Belarusian State Economic University. - Few cases of national accounts staff leaving for other organizations; few cases of NAD staff on maternity leave in recent years. - Challenge: nurture and develop the “younger group” to form future leadership; NAD ensures sections include both “older” and “younger” staff to provide succession. - Constraints on promotion and merit increases exist within the civil service system. - Computing and data backup: - NAD currently has 17 personal computers, many old and of limited capacity and speed. - NAD is likely to receive an allocation of new computers in April 2004; mission strongly supports this. - Data back-up arrangements limited: certain data backed up on diskette (most NAD computers lack compact disk facility); aggregated data stored on hard copy. - Mission consideration: greater attention should be given to backing up data on a regular basis, including off-site storage, to guard against system breakdowns and loss of hardware and software. - Measures for efficient use of resources: - Resources allocated in accordance with the statistical work plan. - Survey fieldwork conducted under control of regional statistical bodies; collated data submitted to headquarters in electronic format to minimize costs. - Under Article 12 of Law on State Statistics, State statistical authorities required to “use international concepts, classifications, and methods in compiling statistics as the basis for ensuring the harmony and effectiveness of the statistical system of the Republic of Belarus on all official levels.” - National accounts and other relevant departments generally use consistent methodologies and classification systems. - Training and external assistance: - Technical assistance from the OECD in formative years of developing national accounts according to System of National Accounts 1993 (1993 SNA). - One multi-sector advisor and one national accounts advisor from the IMF spanning a number of years. - Training at the Joint Vienna Institute for about seven staff at different times. - Training for about ten staff provided by the German Federal Statistics Bureau. - NAD staff meet once a month to discuss national accounts issues and new methodologies. - Participation in Eurostat workshops and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meetings. - Annual evaluation of each staff member determines contract renewal and promotion. - Efficiency and survey rationalization: - Mission noted a large number of questionnaires and duplication (example: 37 different questionnaires used in agricultural statistics). - Recommendation: - The Minstat should embark on a program of survey and questionnaire rationalization to eliminate duplication, reduce respondent burden, improve internal efficiencies, and release resources for priority work—implemented carefully over a period of years. - Productivity improvements: - Improved computing facilities and access by NAD to the internal electronic communication system should enhance productivity and data sharing. ### Relevance, user engagement, and monitoring of utility - Current arrangements: - Apart from the Inter-Agency Council for State Statistics (focuses on methodological issues), there is no committee to provide advice about new and emerging data needs. - Relevance and practical utility of national accounts data in meeting users’ needs are not assessed systematically. - Minstat has not conducted user surveys in national accounts and has no mechanism to systematically monitor user feedback. - National accounts statistics have not been on the agenda for the Inter-Agency Council for State Statistics. - NAD maintains close contact with a small number of users, often in providing data or explaining methodology, and considers itself well informed about user requirements and views. - NAD does not have plans for a user group relating to national accounts. - Recommendations: - Minstat should examine establishing a broader user advisory group representative of government, academic organizations, trade unions, and private sector to provide advice on statistical policy, methodology, priorities, perceptions of quality, and future developments. - Suggested meeting frequency: regularly (about four times a year, after initial more frequent meetings). - Potential benefits include improved user understanding of national accounts and possible external support when facing criticism. - Minstat should consider conducting occasional surveys of national accounts users to obtain feedback. *Source: _cr0529 - Section 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus provides that citizens have the right (PDF).* ### 0.4 Other quality management ### 0.4 Other quality management ### 0.4.1 Processes are in place to focus on quality - The Department of Planning and Statistical Monitoring within the Minstat has prime responsibility for placing a strong focus on the quality of statistical processes and products and coordinates all work associated with the improvement and maintenance of statistical quality. - Minstat staff participate in international discussions on statistical techniques and practices. - Some studies are undertaken jointly with Russia’s State Statistical Committee (Goskomstat) and comparisons of methods are conducted to share views and information about new statistical developments. ### 0.4.2 Processes are in place to monitor the quality of the statistical program - The Minstat’s Department of Statistical Planning coordinates all work associated with the improvement and maintenance of statistical quality; information on such issues is considered by the Board of Management. - All statistical questionnaires are sent to the Department of Statistical Planning for review, then considered by the Scientific-Methodological Council and approved by the Minstat’s Board of Management. - The Board of Management provides a clear focus on quality through close attention to methodological issues; management conveys this to staff. - Each staff member is given a copy of a Duty Manual that reinforces the importance of high standards of work. - Staff are civil servants and made aware of responsibilities under the Law on the Civil Service, which includes references to the requirement for work of a high standard. - Article 3 of the Law on State Statistics defines basic principles: (a) objectivity and reliability of statistical information; (b) stability and comparability of statistical data; and (c) accessibility and openness of statistical information within the bounds set by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus. - The NAD addresses quality of national accounts data through: - extensive checks on the validity of data supplied from a wide range of sources; - analysis for internal consistency and comparability over time; - checks for consistency with other data sources where possible; - reconciliation of broad national accounting and other aggregates; - raising questions with source organizations and providing feedback on accuracy, reliability, and possible adjustments. ### 0.4.3 Processes are in place to deal with quality considerations in planning the statistical program - Quality issues are addressed in the overall statistical plan at individual department level and for the Minstat as a whole. - Trade-off decisions are made between timeliness and accuracy, and between accuracy and resources, at all levels of the organization. - Within the NAD, trade-off decisions are typically made when an alternative data source or methodology is contemplated; decisions about priorities for national accounts development are made in the context of scarce resources. ### 1. Assurances of integrity — Professionalism - Article 4 of the Law on State Statistics: the central statistical authority is subordinate to the Council of Ministers and shall act on the basis of regulations approved by the Council of the Republic of Belarus; the regulations are prepared by the Minstat. - Article 10: interference by any government authorities, officials, and other persons in the activity of the state statistical authorities shall not be permitted; mission informed there has never been any question of interference or attempted interference with Minstat professional independence. - The appointment and termination of the minister are determined by the government; upon election of the president a new government is formed. The present Minister of Statistics was appointed in 1998. - Minstat contemplates proposing a change from a ministry to a National Statistical Committee to reinforce independence of the chief statistician. - Recruitment and promotion are based on specialists’ expertise in statistics; specialists are usually recruited from the faculty of the department of statistics at the Belarusian State Economic University. - Professionalism promoted via staff participation in training courses, workshops, and seminars. ### 1.1.2 Sources, methods, and dissemination informed solely by statistical considerations - Sources and methods for compiling price statistics and component statistics are fully under Minstat control; concepts and standards follow international standards to a large extent. - Appropriate data sources are used throughout national accounts compilation; no known outside interference in sources, methods, and dissemination. - Article 10 of the Law on State Statistics guarantees independence in selection of methodology, data sources, content, and format of disseminated data. - Article 3 reinforces objectivity and reliability of statistical information. ### 1.1.3 Right to comment on misuse and erroneous interpretation - Article 10 gives State statistical authorities the right to comment on incorrect utilization and interpretation of statistics. - The NAD has received and responded to criticism about national accounts data, typically about the size of GDP movements (critics claim movements are sometimes under- or over-stated). - NAD provides explanations about compilation in national accounts publications, mainly on concepts; Methodological Guidelines in Statistics (2003) provide much more detail but only 100 copies were printed and the publication is not listed in the Catalogue of Publications. - Minstat plans to publish the Methodological Guidelines on its web site. - Recommendation: NAD should provide analytical comments in publications identifying main factors underlying unusual figures and movements to improve user understanding and reduce misinterpretation. - Minstat has not regularly held media conferences at national accounts releases; requests for articles or television presentations are sometimes accepted. ### 1.2 Transparency - The Law on State Statistics was published in the Republic Newspaper when signed by the President in February 1997 and is published on the Minstat’s web site in both Russian and English. - Any user can request the Law from the database of legal and regulatory information maintained by the National Center of Legal Information. - The general public may also refer to the Law at Minstat headquarters and Minstat oblast, city, and district offices. - Each Minstat survey questionnaire refers to a specific ministerial resolution authorizing that survey. - National accounts publications show information about concepts; Methodological Guidelines in Statistics provide considerably more detail about national accounts and other major data products. - Minstat produces annual reports on its performance considered at expanded Board of Management meetings with invited representatives of oblast statistical agencies and the Council of Ministers. - Recommendation: Minstat may wish to increase public awareness of activities and products (for example, brochures and provision of summary data free of charge) to improve public confidence and survey cooperation. ### 1.2.2 Internal governmental access prior to release - Minstat’s web site states there is no internal governmental access to national accounts statistics before public release, except: - annual national accounts data: the Ministry of the Economy, the NBRB, and other major users receive summary data in December, well in advance of detailed publication issued in the following March. - Recommendation: information on access to annual and summary national accounts data should be published on the Minstat’s web site. ### 1.2.3 Identification of statistical products - All national accounts data products are clearly identified as issued by the Minstat on the web site and in publications. - In joint publications, the part attributable to the Minstat is clearly identified. - Minstat requests acknowledgement when its statistics are published by others; this occurs in practice with national accounts statistics. ### 1.2.4 Advanced notice of major changes - Major methodology changes are noted in relevant publications after implementation, but not announced in advance to the public. - Major users are often notified in advance through normal working contacts. - Statistical work plan foreshadows possibility of major changes but is received by a very restricted group. - Recommendation: Minstat should consider publicly announcing significant upcoming changes to national accounts compilation in advance, including through press briefings. - Practice prior to 2003: advance notice of planned changes, in summary form, was given to the public in the National Register of Legal Acts; this practice has been discontinued. ### 1.3 Ethical standards - Articles 13 and 15 of the Law on State Statistics provide guidelines on correct behavior and conflict of interest situations. - Article 13 requires authorities that maintain state statistics to preserve state and commercial secrecy. - Article 15 establishes liability for employees who violate requirements concerning collection and use of statistical data and for concealing and distorting them. - Requirements regarding staff behavior are notified in the Duty Manual provided to each staff member. - The Law on Civil Service provides guidelines about staff behavior, confidentiality, and internal regulations; this Law was recently amended and training courses were arranged. - All new staff must sign an employment contract outlining ethical standards and are reminded annually of these standards. ### 2. Methodological soundness — Concepts and definitions - National accounts compilation is based on the 1993 SNA. - Methodology described in Methodological Guidelines on Statistics (2003) and in summary form in national accounts publications. - Article 10 requires Minstat cooperation with statistical authorities of other countries and international organizations; Article 12 requires development and improvement of methods in accordance with international statistical standards. ### 2.2 Scope - System of national accounts includes the following accounts and tables (minimum requirements for implementation of the 1993 SNA): - value added and GDP by economic activity at current and constant prices; - expenditure components of GDP at current and constant prices; - generation of income account; - allocation of primary income account; - secondary distribution of income account; - redistribution of income account; - disposable income account; - adjusted disposable income account; - capital account; and - rest of the world account. - Accounts (apart from expenditure of GDP and the rest of the world account) are classified by institutional sector. - The NAD does not compile the financial account; it has compiled some experimental estimates but expects it will be some years before the financial account is fully developed. - Additional recommended accounts/tables compiled on a regular basis: - quarterly value added and GDP at current and constant prices by economic activity; - quarterly expenditures of GDP at current and constant prices; - annual input-output tables. - Other regularly compiled and published products: quarterly GDP by income components at current prices. - Residence concept is consistent with the 1993 SNA and the Balance of Payments Manual, fifth edition; included in the Belarusian economy: - territorial enclaves in the rest of the world (such as embassies); - free zones/bonded warehouses/factories operated by offshore enterprises under customs control; - workers who work part of the year in another country. - Production boundary broadly in accordance with the 1993 SNA; output scope includes: - own-account production of all goods for own final consumption; - research and development on own-account; - output of goods for own-account fixed capital formation; - mineral exploration; - production of entertainment, literary, and artistic originals; and - production of computer software. - Annual estimates of exhaustiveness are made for various sectors based on multiple sources and special surveys; ratios calculated from annual data are incorporated in quarterly GDP estimates to account for under-coverage and under-reporting. - Resource constraints have limited conduct of special surveys; mission recommends Minstat undertake small-scale supplementary survey design to improve exhaustiveness estimates. - Illegal production is not in scope except illegal (home-based) vodka production, which is estimated; NAD notes methodology for nonobserved economy may include some illegal production. - Assets boundary broadly conforms to the 1993 SNA and includes tangible assets: - defense related assets usable for civilian purposes; - valuables owned by households; - agricultural work-in-progress; and intangible assets: - mineral exploration; - systems and standard applications computer software; - entertainment, literary, or artistic materials; - patented entities. - Historical monuments, purchased goodwill and valuables other than those owned by households are not included. ### 2.3 Classification/sectorization - Classification of transactions, flows, and institutional units broadly follows recommendations of the 1993 SNA. - Current activity classification: Classification of Branches of the Economy (OKONX), which differs markedly from ISIC and hinders comparisons with ISIC-based data. - Minstat implementing new activity classification: General Classification of Types of Economic Activity (OKED), closely related to ISIC and fully compatible at the four-digit level. - Statistics for 2004 will be based on both old and new classifications; the old classification planned to be discontinued after 2004. - National product classification is compatible with the two-digit level of the Classification of Branches of the Economy; products within agriculture and industry correspond with classification of products by activity at the one and two-digit levels. - Minstat plans to commence implementing the central product classification from January 2005 and this will be introduced over a five-year period. - The Harmonised System is used for compilation of exports and imports statistics. - COICOP is used in the household income and expenditure survey (HIES) and in compilation of household final consumption expenditure (HFCE). - Data on execution of the State budget are classified according to COFOG. *Source: _cr0529 - 0.4 Other quality management* ### 2.4 Basis for recording ### 2.4 Basis for recording ### Valuation principles and market prices - Market prices are used in the valuation of goods and services. - Output for own use is valued at equivalent market prices. - Intermediate consumption is valued at actual purchaser's prices, excluding deductible value-added tax and including excise taxes. - Stocks of fixed assets are valued at purchasers’ prices. - Consumption of fixed capital is mainly recorded at replacement values, after taking account of revaluations. - Dwelling services are valued according to the cost of operating and maintaining the dwelling stock (with no allowance for the opportunity cost of dwelling purchase). - Household expenditures are valued at purchasers’ prices. - Imports and exports are valued f.o.b., consistent with balance of payments statistics. - Foreign trade transactions in foreign currency are converted using the official exchange rates of the NBRB prevailing when the transactions take place. - Principal valuation rules are broadly in accordance with the 1993 SNA. ### Recording basis and timing - Most transactions and flows are recorded on an accrual basis. - Capital formation is recorded in the period the production takes place. - Government revenues and expenditures are recorded in the government accounts on a cash basis; however, the NAD adjusts the data to convert them to an estimated accrual basis. - Work in progress is recorded in the period when it is produced. - International transactions are recorded at the time the goods enter or leave the economic territory as documented on the corresponding customs declarations. ### Grossing and netting procedures - Grossing and netting procedures are generally in accordance with the 1993 SNA. - Value added data are compiled and published on a gross basis and are available on a net basis (net of consumption of fixed capital). - Data are collected from enterprises through the enterprise survey and questionnaires include key data for component establishments. - Transactions between establishments within the same enterprise are recorded on a net basis for the enterprise, rather than on a gross basis. ### Source data framework and registers - Article 12 requires the maintenance of a single State register of enterprises and organizations of all forms of ownership; in practice the register is maintained by the Ministry of Justice. - A Central Statistical Register is compiled by the Minstat’s Department of Statistical Planning and Statistical Monitoring for statistical purposes. - Data for national accounts derive from enterprise surveys (annual and quarterly), sectoral surveys, administrative data sources, and the HIES. - The compilation process is highly dependent on enterprise survey data; sectoral surveys mainly serve as supplementary sources. - Administrative data comprise primarily budget execution data (from the MoF). - Balance of payments data and merchandise trade statistics compiled by the NBRB (using State Customs Committee data) are used. - HIES data are used as the main source for estimating household consumption expenditure and household production. - Information about issued licenses is obtained from a number of ministries to assist estimates of the nonobserved economy. - Other data sources include: - surveys of large farms and all state and statutory farms; - surveys of subsidiary plots; - surveys of construction; - volume data from transport providers; - surveys of financial intermediation and real estate; - survey of employed persons, wages, and employment. - The NAD reviews questionnaires used for major surveys relevant to the national accounts on a regular basis to ensure conformity with national accounts concepts and definitions. ### Central Statistical Register details - The Central Statistical Register is maintained by the Minstat and covers all legal enterprises, assembled from registration authorities throughout the Republic of Belarus. - All new legal entities are required by law to register; changes in entity characteristics must be notified to registration authorities and reported to the Minstat. - The register is updated with information from the Minstat’s regular censuses and surveys. - Responsibility for registration is expected to be taken over by the Ministry of Justice, which is expected to standardize systems and forms. - The Minstat plans a register updating survey requesting entities to verify register characteristics. - There are at present 90,000 legal entities listed on the register. - The register includes public organizations, religious organizations, and groups of dachas; subsidiary garden plots are excluded. - The register contains information about component establishments within legal entities; these are recognized as statistical units for certain surveys. - The concept of “small enterprises” is recognized for survey purposes with definitions varying by activity (for example, less than 100 employees for industry, less than 50 for construction, and less than 20 employees for retail trade). - Statistical units are classified by main economic activity using the Classification of Branches of the Economy; units are recoded to the General Classification of Types of Economic Activity (closely related to ISIC). ### Enterprise surveys - Annual and quarterly enterprise surveys cover all enterprises regardless of size. - Surveys use the Classification of Branches of the Economy up to and including 2003 and the General Classification of Types of Economic Activity from 2004 (with 2004 compiled on both bases). - Survey concepts are in accordance with the 1993 SNA. - Surveys are conducted at the enterprise level and collect basic information for component establishments. - A very detailed financial questionnaire is used for large and medium sized enterprises; a shorter four-page questionnaire is used for small enterprises. - Response rate for large and medium sized enterprises is virtually 100 percent (attributed to penalties under the Law on State Statistics). - Response rates for small enterprises are about 80 percent. - Small enterprises account for only about 6 percent of total GDP. - Use of sampling is under consideration for small enterprises that account for about 6 percent of total GDP; the mission supports this initiative. - Enterprise survey questionnaires provide data to calculate gross output, intermediate consumption, gross value added, and investments in tangible fixed assets and intangible assets. - Data from enterprise surveys cover the whole economy; the NAD makes special adjustments for the nonobserved economy. ### Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) - The HIES is the main data source for HFCE in the expenditure approach to GDP. - Where relevant, retail trade data are examined and compared with HIES data commodity by commodity; adjusted retail trade data may substitute HIES data in some cases. - The HIES is a regular sample survey covering approximately 6,000 households. - Sample selection is based on the 1999 population census with regular updating for births, deaths, and migration from administrative records; adjustments in later stages of the census cycle reference electoral roll data. - The sample is representative of large cities, smaller cities within oblasts, towns, and villages. - The sample of households is selected so that each household has an equal chance of selection. - Response is voluntary; an 86 percent response rate is achieved. - Where a household drops out, mathematical procedures are applied to compensate for missing data. - Households that change addresses are not followed unless they move within the same city and are easy to locate; otherwise they are treated as nonresponse and compensated by re-weighting. - Collective households are excluded from the HIES (examples: elderly and nursing homes, student hostels, hotels, soldiers’ barracks, hospitals, sanatoria, and prisons). - Corrections for nonresponse bias are made with reference to basic household characteristics (place of residence, household size, number of children under 18 years, number of elderly persons, type of housing). - Sampled families are surveyed during a 12-month period; each household is visited 17 times by an interviewer. - Two types of HIES information: - A diary is kept by each household to record daily expenditure for a 14-day period, including detailed descriptions, place of purchase and value, and daily consumption of food produced on the individual land plot or received as a gift. Sample families are equally distributed into rotation groups throughout the quarter. - An interview obtains data on major household expenditures and incomes during the last quarter to calculate annual expenditures and incomes. - HIES data used by the NAD include average monthly expenditures per household on 21 consumer goods and services items (based on COICOP); food expenditure items are further subdivided into 26 items. - The NAD uses data collected on the share of food obtained from individual land plots. - Other HIES data used include household income by category; expenditure on rents and utilities; social benefits received; and own account fixed capital formation. - The following categories are considered under-represented in the HIES: high income households; entrepreneurs and self-employed households; and homeless people. Macro-level adjustments are made to compensate for such biases. - Household consumption expenditures and acquisitions of fixed assets are valued at purchasers’ prices. - Expenditures on items such as tobacco products and alcohol are known to be understated in HIES; corrections are not made in HIES results but the NAD adjusts these when compiling HFCE. - Sampling errors are not routinely calculated; users are alerted where the standard error of the estimate exceeds plus or minus 5 percent. ### Agricultural surveys and other sources - Agricultural output and intermediate consumption estimates are compiled using data from the Department of Agricultural Statistics within the Minstat; surveys cover areas sown, crop production, livestock numbers and production, materials used in agriculture, and financial data for agricultural enterprises. - Gross product estimates are published for agriculture and forestry separately, with no further disaggregation. - Government operations and budget execution data are obtained from the MoF for national and local budgets; these data are not fully compatible with national accounts definitions, scope, and classifications and require Minstat adjustments. - Reports on extra-budgetary operations (for example, the social protection fund) are available. - Balance of payments statistics are compiled by the NBRB and used without adjustment by the Minstat in compiling national accounts. The NBRB does not make adjustments for smuggling but estimates shuttle trade based on household survey data and informal surveys of “open markets.” - The NAD considers smuggling not greatly significant in the Republic of Belarus and notes a decline in border trade and shuttle trade in recent years; the NAD considers NBRB balance of payments (including merchandise trade data) to be reliable. - The Minstat obtains trade union reports containing data on subsidies and payments in kind made to households by trade unions (services such as recreation and training). - A range of other administrative agency data is accessed for national accounts estimates. - Quarterly and annual compilation methods are generally similar; differences reflect reliability and level of detail of source data. ### Conformity, classifications, and data adequacy - Source data are generally consistent with definitions, scope, classifications, valuation, and time of recording required for national accounts statistics. - The NAD is consulted in questionnaire design/redesign to ensure national accounts requirements are met. - Annual data are compiled on a calendar year basis; quarterly data are compiled for the period being assessed. - Enterprise survey data allow adjustments to conform with national accounts concepts; survey outputs of goods and services are valued at basic prices and intermediate consumption at purchasers’ prices. - Enterprises are classified by main economic activity according to the Classification of Branches of the Economy; the General Classification of Types of Economic Activity will be used from 2004 and is compatible with ISIC at the four-digit level. - Data on government expenditure are available in sufficient detail to allow classification according to COFOG. - Two kinds of establishments exist within enterprises: those that maintain accounting records and those that do not; key financial data are collected from the first kind, and a range of nonfinancial data are collected from all enterprises. ### Timeliness of source data and publication schedule - National accounts are compiled regularly on a quarterly and annual basis according to established timetables. - The Minstat compiles and publishes monthly estimates of GDP according to the production approach at both current and constant prices. - Preliminary monthly GDP estimates are used to compile preliminary quarterly GDP estimates. - Preliminary monthly GDP estimates are based on output data for major activities (agriculture, industry, construction, distributive trade, transport and communications). - Source data for preliminary estimates are obtained on about the sixth to tenth day after the end of the reference month; this timing supports the target date for preliminary monthly GDP estimates, which is the fifteenth day following the end of the reference month. - Quarterly national accounts estimates based on actual quarterly data are produced by the one hundred and fifth day (twenty-first week) after the end of the reference quarter. In practice production-approach GDP estimates are available by the ninetieth day but are held until finalization of expenditure-approach GDP estimates. - The delay in finalizing GDP expenditure-approach estimates stems solely from unavailability of balance of payments data from the NBRB until about ninety-five days after the end of the reference quarter. - Source data from major sources (enterprise surveys, HIES, agricultural surveys) are available on a sufficiently timely basis; the major exception affecting timeliness is the balance of payments data supply by the NBRB. *Source: _cr0529 - 2.4 Basis for recording* ### 3.2 Assessment of source data ### 3.2 Assessment of source data ### Overview of source-data assessment practices - Source data—including censuses, sample surveys and administrative records—are routinely assessed for coverage, sample error, response error, and nonsampling error; the results of the assessments are monitored and made available to guide statistical processes. - Sampling errors for HIES estimates are not routinely calculated; users are alerted to data cells where the standard errors of the estimates exceed plus or minus 5 percent. - The accuracy of administrative data received from other ministries, trade associations, regulatory authorities are not routinely assessed. According to the Minstat, these data are obtained on a regular basis, and therefore are not checked. - There are widespread concerns, expressed by users and the IMF’s European Department, about the accuracy and reliability of much of the data produced by the Minstat, especially the GDP data and the industrial and agricultural production data. - Despite legislative provisions and inspection powers, there remains the possibility that some respondents may misreport on questionnaires to show results that accord with government targets; Minstat officials refute this view. The mission recommends these issues be fully explored in a separate technical assistance mission. ### Household income and expenditure survey (HIES) - Coverage: satisfactory; main exclusions are persons living in institutions (common in most countries). - Sampling: sampling errors not routinely calculated; users alerted where standard errors exceed plus or minus 5 percent. - HFCE estimation: - HFCE is estimated for quite detailed COICOP components using primarily HIES data, with some reference to retail sales. - Expenditures on tobacco products and alcohol are known to be understated and corrections are not made when presenting HIES results. The NAD makes independent estimates for these using the commodity flow method (retail trade, production, and foreign trade statistics). - Independent estimates are also made for textiles and for motor vehicles. - HIES data are used to estimate household production for own consumption (for example, owner-occupied dwellings). - Own-account agricultural production is estimated from village-council data on areas sown, harvested, and livestock; valued using prices of agricultural products sold by agricultural companies in various geographic areas. - Expenses of residents abroad are included in HFCE and expenditures of nonresidents in the domestic economy are excluded, consistent with balance of payments treatment. ### Enterprise surveys and administrative sources - Enterprise surveys: - Cover all sectors of the economies. - Do not at present make wide use of sampling techniques; sampling of small enterprises is being introduced. - NAD checks trends; data for large enterprises are checked for errors and inconsistencies and queries are sometimes raised directly with respondents. - Limited opportunity to compare with taxation authorities because their economic activity classification is compiled at a very broad level. - Inventories: - Estimates available from enterprise survey; adjusted for holding gains. - Enterprises write-off inventories using weighted average prices; NAD revalues inventories at beginning and end of period using period average prices. - NAD reports respondent data and methodology are generally satisfactory, but judgment is required when evaluating calculations before finalizing changes in inventories. - Exports and imports of goods: - Compiled by the NBRB from State Customs Committee data in accordance with BPM5 and used by the NAD without further adjustment. - Travel expenditures by residents abroad: - Estimated based on arrivals/departures data from NBRB and other ministries, plus a quarterly sample survey of resident travelers by Minstat. ### Production approach: compilation details and specific components - Output and intermediate consumption, and hence value added, are compiled and published for 24 components based on the Classification of Branches of the Economy, mainly from enterprise surveys. - Owner-occupied dwellings (dwelling services): - NAD values dwelling services according to the cost of operating and maintaining dwelling stock using detailed data on dwelling space by type. - Mission considers this approach may understate dwelling services as it makes no allowance for the opportunity cost of purchasing dwellings. - Suggestion: consider reviewing approach and/or applying market rents for equivalent dwellings, recognizing difficulties in obtaining reliable rental data. - Work-in-progress: - Estimation is broadly in accordance with the 1993 SNA. - Data from enterprise surveys used for large construction projects spanning more than one period. - Estimates of standing timber and livestock for consumption derived from agricultural surveys; perennial crops are not estimated as work-in-progress and total output is allocated to period of harvest. - Cash versus accrual: - Data generally recorded on an accrual basis; government transactions adjusted for arrears to convert from cash to accrual. ### Expenditure approach: methods and issues - GDP by expenditure is derived independently, with adjustments to reconcile with production approach; GDP production measure generally considered more reliable. - Reconciliation: statistical discrepancy is incorporated as a component of GDP according to the expenditure approach (as a balancing item). - Government final consumption expenditure: - Classified according to COFOG at the one-digit level for annual estimates. - Excludes incidental sales. - Gross fixed capital formation: - Calculated from enterprise survey data on new construction and purchases of fixed assets; compared with commodity flow estimates based on production, imports, and exports. - Valuables (stores of wealth) are not estimated and excluded where identifiable. - Inventories: see enterprise surveys section above. - Administrative data accuracy: - Not routinely assessed; Minstat obtains these data regularly and therefore does not check them, but periodic checks by Minstat are required. ### Statistical techniques and specific methodological practices (3.3) - General: - Data compilation techniques are generally sound. - Sampling is not widely used in enterprise and sectoral surveys; grossing-up techniques for HIES are soundly based. - NAD grosss up for nonrespondents using employment data and the central statistical register. - Nonobserved economy: - NAD makes estimates to cover legal activities in the nonobserved economy (under-reported or not reported to evade taxes). - NAD familiar with conceptual models (for example, OECD Handbook) and has received methodological advice from the Statistical Research Institute but lacks resources for special surveys. - NAD mainly compares employment data from household/labor surveys with enterprise/sectoral surveys to refine self-employed estimates and classify the nonobserved economy by activity. - Current NAD estimate: the nonobserved economy accounts for 10 to 11 percent of total GDP. - The NAD suggests allocating specific resources (for example, one person dedicated to estimation of the nonobserved economy) and that some technical assistance could be beneficial. - Consumption of fixed capital: - Basic data from fixed assets section of enterprise surveys (stock at beginning and end, changes, depreciation). - Survey records stock at historic prices after accumulated depreciation (residual values). - NAD uses three different approaches to measure consumption of fixed capital and compares results before finalizing estimates. - Legal entities are required to revalue assets on January 1 each year, improving convergence and confidence. - Specific quarterly GDP issues: - Seasonal adjustment: X-12 ARIMA. - Volume measures and base-year practice: - Both price deflation and quantity revaluation (extrapolation using volume indicators) are used. - Where price deflation is used, the double deflation approach is generally adopted. - Base year for constant price estimates is changed every five years. The present base year is 2000 (covering the years 2000 onwards). The previous base year was 1995 (covering the years 1995 to 2000). The year 2000 is treated as the “overlap period.” - Constant price series for 1995 to 2000 are calculated on the base year 1995 = 100. The constant price series for 2000 and subsequent periods are calculated on the base year 2000 = 100. ### Methods used for constant price estimates (summary) - Production approach methods (selected): - Industry: Extrapolation using volume index of production. - Agriculture: Extrapolation using volume indexes of agricultural output, separately for public and private subsidiary plots; agricultural services extrapolated by number of employees. - Construction: Extrapolation using volume indices of assets constructed during period. - Freight transport: Extrapolation using a volume index of cargo transported (tons per kilometer). - Passenger transport: Extrapolation using a volume index of passenger movement (persons per kilometer). - Communications: Extrapolation using volume indices of communication services provided to legal entities and to private consumers. - Trade and catering: Extrapolation using volume indices of trade turnover. - Material supply: Deflation using producer price index (PPI). - Procurement: Extrapolation using volume indices. - Real estate: Deflation using the total consumer price index (CPI). - Commercial market activities: Deflation using the total CPI. - Geology (exploration): Deflation using price index of building and construction work. - Housing: Extrapolation using index of change in the volume of housing stock. - Public utilities: Extrapolated using volume indices of production and services. - Personal services: Deflation using price indices of various kinds of services. - Science: Extrapolation using number of employees. - Finance, credit, and insurance: FISIM deflated using total CPI; the remainder extrapolated using number of employees. - General administration and defense: Extrapolation using number of employees. - Expenditure approach methods (selected): - HFCE: CPI (at detailed levels). - Government final consumption expenditure: Goods deflated using CPI; services extrapolated using volume index of government employment. - Gross fixed capital formation: Deflation using investment price indices and PPIs. - Change in inventories: Deflation using PPIs for industry and agriculture. - Exports and imports of goods: Revaluation using indices of physical production. - Exports and imports of services: Use implicit deflators derived for exports and imports of goods. ### Assessment, validation and discrepancy analysis (3.4) - Intermediate validation: - Data from enterprise surveys are assessed against other primary and secondary sources, including administrative statistics and selected HIES data. - In compiling household consumption, comparisons are made between HIES and retail trade survey data. - Discrepancy investigation: - NAD assesses discrepancies in intermediate data and investigates major differences, adjusting enterprise-survey data or selectively replacing with alternative sources. - GDP production and expenditure estimates are reconciled by incorporating the statistical discrepancy as a component of expenditure GDP. - There has been no systematic analysis of quarterly and annual trends in the statistical discrepancy over time; the mission suggests such analysis may help determine possible error sources. - Input-output tables: - Minstat compiles annual input-output tables and uses them as a basis for re-examining the validity of published national accounts for that year. - Minstat does not revise annual national accounts data following finalization of input-output tables but takes note of significant discrepancies for reference in compiling subsequent years. *Source: 3.2 Assessment of source data (National Accounts).* ### 3.5 Revision studies ### 3.5 Revision studies ### Studies and scope of revision analysis - The NAD has carried out some studies of revisions. - Recommendation: NAD should make such studies on a regular basis and over a period of years of the direction and magnitude of revisions occurring: - between preliminary and final estimates (quarterly), and - between preliminary and final estimates (annual). - Objective: endeavor to ascertain systematic errors and biases in data sources and methods; for example, consistent under-estimation of specific components in the advance GDP estimates when compared with the subsequent estimates. ### Revision policy and practice (summary of procedures) - GDP data compilation process: - GDP data are compiled on a cumulative monthly basis (year to date) based on data for major economic activities and imputations for other activities. - The Minstat is not able to compile discrete monthly series from the cumulative data due to the methodology used (for example, a respondent may notify a revision to January–April data when reporting data for May and Minstat cannot determine which month(s) were revised). - The Minstat can compile discrete quarterly GDP estimates from the cumulative monthly information; these quarterly estimates from the “advance system” are made available about the fifteenth day following the end of the final month of each quarter. - Discrete quarterly GDP estimates are also compiled based on actual quarterly data obtained for all economic activities (production approach) and reconciled with expenditure approach estimates. - Revision timing and schedules: - Initial quarterly estimates are revised following completion of GDP estimates based on actual quarterly survey data. - Further revisions are made following completion of the annual national accounts data and the reconciliation of quarterly and annual estimates; this occurs 13 months following the end of the reporting year. - Preliminary annual GDP data are compiled and published based on component quarterly data; annual data are revised following compilation of annual estimates based on actual annual data from source departments and other sources. - Further revisions to annual national accounts do not occur, even following finalization of annual input-output tables. - The revision schedules are documented and incorporated in the Methodological Guidelines on Statistics (2003). - Identification of preliminary and revised data: - Preliminary data are clearly identified as such in the quarterly national accounts publication. - There is no similar note for annual national accounts data except for the latest year as published in the quarterly publication. - The Minstat uses a standard notation to identify revised data in some publications, but this convention is not used in most national accounts publications; revised data generally are not readily apparent to users. - Studies and publication of revisions: - Revisions were made to national accounts data from 1990–1999 and these revised series were published, but no explanatory notes were provided. - Apart from that, systematic studies and analyses of revisions made in the normal course of national accounts compilation are not conducted, and hence there are no such studies to be made public. ### Findings on consistency and magnitudes of discrepancies - Statistical discrepancy analysis: - Analysis for 1997 to 2002 shows: - statistical discrepancy in terms of percentage of annual GDP has ranged between minus 0.2 percent and 1.6 percent. - statistical discrepancy in terms of percentage of quarterly GDP has ranged between minus 0.2 percent and 5.0 percent. - These values are described as within acceptable limits. - Presentation difference: statistical discrepancy is explicitly shown as a balancing item in current price estimates but is included in net exports (not explicitly shown) in constant price estimates; NAD has commenced a review and the mission supports publishing the statistical discrepancy explicitly in constant price estimates. - Revisions made in prior methodological update: - NAD made revisions for years 1990 to 1999 after a joint study with Goskomstat, Russian Federation; revised data were presented on a consistent basis and published in National Accounts of the Republic of Belarus in 2001. - Revisions were also made and published for component quarterly series for 1992 to 1999; the mission was informed there were no significant practical differences between revised annual and quarterly series and those published initially. - Base periods and comparability: - Constant price estimates are presented on base 1995 = 100 for years 1995 to 2000 and on base 2000 = 100 for years 2000 onwards; year 2000 is a link period with data on both bases. - Series are also expressed in prices of the previous year (annual data) and in prices of the corresponding quarter of the previous year (quarterly data). - The Minstat should carefully explain the two different approaches in national accounts publications to reduce user confusion. ### Related operational and dissemination timing details affecting revisions and release - Timeliness and periodicity issues relevant to revision practice: - Quarterly GDP estimates are disseminated quarterly but Minstat is not meeting the SDDS requirement (one quarter) due to late finalization of balance of payments statistics. - The “full” quarterly GDP estimates are published on the one hundred and fifth day (that is, 15 weeks) following the end of the reference quarter; GDP data according to the production approach are compiled and available by the ninetieth day following the end of the quarter, but publication is held until the one hundred and fifth day to incorporate the expenditure approach. - All required data, apart from balance of payments data, are available around the eighty-fifth to ninetieth day following the end of the quarter. - Recommendation: Minstat and NBRB could reach agreement to supply required balance of payments data at an earlier stage to advance the release of quarterly GDP by several days. - Monthly industrial production indices are published within two weeks of the end of the month (well within SDDS requirement), but these indices are not published on a standard reference base even though such series are available. - Advance/early estimates: - The quarterly estimates compiled from the cumulative monthly “advance system” are made available about the fifteenth day following the end of the final month of each quarter. - Balance of payments data and reconciliation: - The delay in the expenditure approach and in publishing full quarterly GDP is solely due to late receipt of balance of payments data from the NBRB. ### Recommendations and desired practices - Institutionalize regular revision studies: - Produce regular, multi-year studies of the direction and magnitude of revisions between preliminary and final estimates (quarterly and annual). - Use such studies to identify systematic errors and biases in data sources and methods (for example, consistent under-estimation in advance GDP estimates). - Improve transparency and user information: - Publish explanatory notes when major revisions are made and make systematic revision analyses public. - Adopt and apply a consistent notation across publications to clearly identify revised series. - Carefully explain differences in constant price presentations (1995 = 100 vs 2000 = 100 and previous-year/previous-quarter pricing) in publications to reduce user confusion. - Consider publishing the statistical discrepancy explicitly in constant price estimates. - Improve timeliness through interagency arrangements: - Seek agreement with NBRB to supply balance of payments data earlier so full quarterly GDP can be advanced from the one hundred and fifth day towards about the ninetieth day following the end of the quarter. ### Selected operational and dissemination figures (as reported) - Advance quarterly “advance system” availability: about the fifteenth day following the end of the final month of each quarter. - Full quarterly GDP publication: the one hundred and fifth day (that is, 15 weeks) following the end of the reference quarter. - Production-approach GDP availability: by the ninetieth day following the end of the quarter. - Other required data availability (excluding balance of payments): around the eighty-fifth to ninetieth day following the end of the quarter. - Revision timing for annual/quarterly reconciliation: 13 months following the end of the reporting year. - Statistical discrepancy ranges (1997–2002): - annual GDP: between minus 0.2 percent and 1.6 percent. - quarterly GDP: between minus 0.2 percent and 5.0 percent. - Base years for constant price estimates: - 1995 = 100 for years 1995 to 2000. - 2000 = 100 for years 2000 onwards. - Methodological Guidelines in Statistics (2003): limited circulation, only 100 copies were printed. - Publication and dissemination counts: - About 85 users receive national accounts publications. - The Catalog of Statistical Publications is sent to about 250 users, including about 35 users of national accounts statistics. - Order forms are sent to about 500 users about a month prior to the issue of the Catalog. - Input-output tables: latest issue contains data for 2001 and was published in 2003. - Inflation referenced for pricing context: currently about 30 percent per year. *Source: 3.5 Revision studies and related sections from the National Accounts chapter (Minstat) as provided in the supplied content.* ### 0.1 Legal and institutional environment ### 0.1 Legal and institutional environment ### Overview of institutional responsibility and governance - The production of official statistics in the Republic of Belarus is the responsibility of the Ministry of Statistics and Analysis of the Republic of Belarus (Minstat). - Minstat operates under the Law of the Republic of Belarus on State Statistics (the Law on State Statistics), adopted by the House of Representatives on January 11, 1997, approved by the Council of the Republic on January 30, 1997, and signed by the President of the Republic of Belarus on February 17, 1997. - The Law on State Statistics was developed in line with recommendations of Eurostat. - Minstat is accountable to the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus and operates under Belarusian legislation; it has its own settlement account and other accounts with banking institutions. - The State statistical system comprises Minstat, oblast (including City of Minsk), district and city agencies of statistics; Minstat and its agencies and other organizations subordinated to the Minstat constitute a single system of State statistics. - Minstat is headed by a Minister appointed under the Constitution by the President; the Minister is a member of the government and can issue directives and instructions binding on subordinate statistical bodies. - Minstat has a Board of Management (minister as chairman, his deputies, and other staff) that determines fundamental issues including methodology, questionnaires, release practices, staff appointments and terminations, performance at regional levels, organization structure, statistical program priorities, and budgetary allocations. - There is an Inter-Agency Council for State Statistics established under a government resolution; it reviews proposals and makes recommendations forwarded to the Council of Ministers for financing decisions. Composition includes the Deputy Prime Minister (Chairman), the Minister of the Minstat, the Minister of Labor and Social Protection, the Minister of Justice, the Deputy Ministers of Industry, Finance, and Economy, and representatives of the Academy of Science and other bodies. - The Council functions as an advisory body rather than an executive decision making body; reports of the Council are publicly available documents. ### Legal mandate, tasks, and rights under the Law on State Statistics - Article 3 specifies basic tasks: - collecting, processing, compiling and analyzing economic and social statistics, using scientifically based statistical methodology; and - disseminating statistical information to governmental authorities and other users. - Article 5: ministries and other central administrative authorities shall compile state statistics in accordance with forms and methodological instructions approved by the central statistical authority. - Article 7: State statistical observations (including state administrative data, one-time assessments, censuses, and sample surveys) shall be carried out by state statistical authorities, ministries, and other central administrative authorities on the basis of methodological instructions, programs, and forms of statistical reporting approved by the central statistical authority. - Article 8: all legal entities, and entrepreneurs who have not formed legal entities, shall submit statistical reports free of charge, observing forms, deadlines, and addresses approved by the central statistical authority; questionnaires and deadlines for statistical reporting by banks, free of charge, shall be approved by the central statistical authority as agreed with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB). - Article 10 provides State statistical authorities the right to: - receive statistical data, in the manner established by the central statistical authority, from legal entities, and entrepreneurs who have not formed a legal entity; - verify the reliability of statistical data and, where distortions are found, to give mandatory instructions concerning their elimination and appropriate corrections in aggregated statistical data; and - require entities to comply with the requirements of the Law, including entities that are not legally incorporated. - Article 11: ministries and other central administrative authorities that produce state statistics shall have the right to receive and use statistical data “in the manner specified by Articles 5, 8, and 9 of this Law” and to monitor the status of primary accounting and statistical reporting, and check the authenticity of statistical data reported. - Article 12 requires State statistical authorities to: - organize state statistical observations and provide government authorities with reliable and objective statistical information on the socio-economic situation of the country; - ensure the accessibility of summary statistical information for a wide range of users, and give necessary explanations and comments on the methodology of producing statistical data, including through the mass media; and - ensure that the primary data collected by state statistical authorities are not subject to disclosure and are used exclusively for statistical purposes. - Article 13 requires ministries and other central administrative authorities that compile state statistics to ensure the collection, processing, and reliability of statistical data in their areas of responsibility and to supply to state statistical authorities, on their demand, statistical data specified by state statistical reporting. - Article 14: officials and entrepreneurs carrying out their activity without forming a legal entity who evade mandatory submission of statistical data, or submit them in a distorted form or in violation of established schedules, are in breach of the legislation; damage caused as the result of the submission of distorted statistical data shall be subject to penalty under legislation of the Republic of Belarus. - Minstat may require entities that refuse to provide information to appear before a court; court action is used as a last resort and exercised in relatively few instances. ### Confidentiality, data protection, and access - Article 9: information containing state and commercial secrets shall not be subject to disclosure; statistical information shall be used for State and scientific purposes and for informing the public. - Article 12 and Article 13 reinforce preservation of state and commercial secrecy and exclusive use of primary data for statistical purposes. - Article 15: employees of State statistical authorities, ministries, and other central administrative authorities who produce state statistics must not violate requirements of the Law concerning collection and use of statistical data and for concealing and distorting them. - Article 21 of the Law on Civil Service (law No. 204-3 of June 14, 2003) states civil servants must not disseminate state secrets entrusted to them; disclosure could result in dismissal. - Employment controls and security measures: - Minstat employees are required to sign a contract at commencement of employment that they will not divulge State secrets; reinforced in a Duty Manual. - All computers are password protected. - Officials stated there has been no instance where an employee has violated this requirement of the Law. - Minstat officials indicated adequate physical security for premises, adequate physical protection of computing facilities, various encoding procedures, and a local network provided only for prices information. - Confidentiality agreements are signed by CPI specialists; CPI data are presented only in aggregated and consolidated manner for researchers and other persons requesting data. - Practice concerning small numbers of entities: - Mission was informed that where one or two nongovernment enterprises contribute to a statistical cell, the Minstat ensures that such data remains confidential, but these rules are not applied where government enterprises are concerned. - The mission considers that more comprehensive procedures are required to guide staff in ensuring that statistics released do not disclose information relating to an individual entity, either directly or by deduction. - It is not clear from the legislation that the Minstat has the authority to release individual data with the consent of the entity concerned. The mission considers the legislation should be clarified concerning this right. - The Minstat should consider seeking an amendment to the Law on State Statistics enabling the Minstat to release data that would otherwise be confidential with the consent of the entity (entities) involved; this provision would need to be used very sparingly but would allow publication of significant data where only one or two entities are involved. ### Coordination, data sharing, and reporting compliance - The Law on State Statistics provides for data sharing and coordination: - Article 5 and Article 7 require ministries and other central administrative authorities to compile and carry out state statistical observations according to central methodological instructions and approved forms. - Article 10 states decisions of the state statistical authorities shall be mandatory for implementation by ministries, other central administrative authorities, local executive and administrative authorities, legal entities and other individual entrepreneurs. - Article 13 requires ministries and other central administrative authorities that compile state statistics to supply to state statistical authorities, on demand, specified statistical data. - The Department of Statistical Planning and Statistical Monitoring within Minstat is responsible for ensuring effective coordination between the Minstat and the ministries with primary responsibility for compiling statistics and other data producing agencies. ### Quality assurance and respondent engagement - All survey questionnaires state clearly on the top of the front page that all information collected by the Minstat will be kept confidential and used for statistical purposes only. - Minstat has strong powers to collect information for statistical purposes, reflected in very high response rates and presumably accurate responses. - In 2003, inspections on data accuracy were carried out at 3,700 business entities; amendments were incorporated where discrepancies were discovered. - Minstat does not appear to have used other approaches to encourage response, such as provision of brochures explaining uses and importance of specific fields of statistics or supply of summary data, free of charge, to respondents. The Minstat may wish to consider supplementary approaches of these kinds. - To avoid nonresponses, all households are given clear instructions on how to provide price information. ### Organizational responsibility for CPI - Within Minstat, the Department of Price Statistics (DPS) is responsible for the compilation of the Consumer Price Index for the Republic of Belarus. *Source: _cr0529 - 0.1 Legal and institutional environment* ### 0.2 Resources ### 0.2 Resources ### 0.2.1 Staff, facilities, computing resources, and financing are commensurate with statistical programs - Staffing and demographics - The Minstat has about 2,200 staff of which about 360 are located in headquarters in Minsk. - About 90 percent of the staff is female. - Retirement age is normally 55 years for women; some retirees are re-appointed as temporary employees. - Overall staffing levels are regarded by senior management as adequate; staff turnover is not regarded as a significant problem. - Number of staff working on prices (Department of Price Statistics): - Republic level: 17 units; CPI: 10; PPI: 6; Head of Prices level: 1 - Regional level (Regions (6)): 8–10 units; CPI and PPI not separately assigned - District level (Capital and four districts): 118 units - Total: 235 - At the republic level, there are ten specialists who work on the CPI, all of whom are university graduates. - Plans for prices expansion are gradual; thus, there are no needs for increases in staff and resources. - The Minstat’s salary levels are adequate for the nature of work, and are competitive with the private sector for comparable jobs and positions. - Computing, software, and data security - Computing needs and technology appear adequate. - In April 2003, software was developed to estimate core inflation. - The CPI data are saved on two computers plus on a floppy disk that are all housed in the Minstat. - There are no provisions of emergency back-up systems for retrieval of CPI statistical series and their updates in the event of natural disasters, accidents, and other unusual events. ### 0.2.2 Measures to ensure efficient use of resources are implemented - Planning and budgeting - Resources within the Minstat are allocated in accordance with the statistical work plan that is developed each year. - The statistical work plan is prepared in consultation with ministries and other administrative bodies and is used for coordinating and approving statistical plans. - The statistical work plan is developed iteratively: submissions from department heads → Department of Planning and Statistical Monitoring drafts → Board of Management consideration and approval. - The statistical work plan is approved in August of each year and covers the following five years. - Article 6: State statistical authorities are financed from state budget funds in accordance with the statistical work plan approved by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus; additional work may be financed through supplementary state budget funds or funds provided by requesters. - Implementation, review, and performance management - The work plan includes details of plans for each department and target dates for various stages of development; each department reports progress at annual Board of Management meetings. - The statistical work plan is reviewed annually by the Board of Management; there is some flexibility to incorporate major new statistical requirements between annual reviews. - On an annual basis, a report on specialists’ performance is prepared by the head of the DPS for the Minstat; inadequate performance may lead to termination. - Employment contracts for Minstat staff are renewed every one to three years. - Efficiencies are sought through periodic reviews of work processes; consistent concepts, classification, and methodologies across categories are encouraged. - Data collection and coordination - Surveys are conducted and source data are collected at the district level, reviewed and collated at the regional level, and transmitted through dedicated lines to the Minstat. - The Minstat sends representatives to CIS meetings on statistics to discuss common problems and to get information on methodologies and ways of improving efficiency. - Under Article 12 of the Law on State Statistics, State statistical authorities are required to “use international concepts, classifications, and methods in compiling statistics as the basis for ensuring the harmony and effectiveness of the statistical system of the Republic of Belarus on all official levels.” ### Key statistics and exact timings - Statistical work plan approval: August (each year) - Work plan coverage: five years - Employment contract renewal period: every one to three years - Software to estimate core inflation developed: April 2003 *Source: 0.2 Resources, Price Statistics (Consumer Price Index)* ### 0.3 Relevance #### 0.3.1 The relevance and practical utility of existing statistics in meeting users’ needs are monitored - Institutional arrangements and user engagement - Apart from the Inter-Agency Council for State Statistics (which focuses on methodological issues), there is no committee to provide advice about new and emerging data needs. - The mission considers the Minstat should examine the desirability of establishing a more broadly based user committee to advise on statistical policy, methodology, and priority issues. - Feedback from users on the quality standards of the CPI statistics is not solicited; there are no initiatives or projects in place to facilitate feedback from users of price statistics. - The Research Institute of Economics solicits user feedback from business managers, but its project was put on hold due to lack of resources. - The relevance and practical utility of the CPI data are not assessed systematically; no user surveys in the field of price statistics and no mechanism to systematically monitor user feedback. - Dissemination and ad hoc feedback - Data users are kept informed on prices statistics through the National Economic Gazette published twice per week; the newspaper publishes the CPI index on a monthly basis. - Users’ feedback is solicited and answers to users’ questions on the CPI are published in this newspaper. *Source: 0.2 Resources, Price Statistics (Consumer Price Index)* ### 0.4 Other quality management #### 0.4.1 Processes are in place to focus on quality - Quality assurance mechanisms - Each year the Minstat performs tasks aimed at improving current state statistical reports and provides instructions on filling out these reports taking into account suggestions from other ministries and departments. - Draft reports and instructions are worked out jointly by branch departments and the Department of Statistical Planning and Organization of Statistical Survey, considered by the Scientific-Methodological Council (headed by the first deputy minister), and approved by the Minstat’s Board of Management. - Each year, regional and district staff who work on the CPI participate in statistical seminars organized by the Minstat; the State University usually arranges a seminar for the Association of Statisticians of the Republic of Belarus. - International cooperation and verification - New studies are undertaken with the Federal Service of State Statistics of the Russian Federation; international comparisons are conducted to share views and new statistical ideas. - Source data are routinely checked and verified; Minstat specialists visit regional offices to check (a) if prices are collected correctly, (b) if acceptable goods are selected for the CPI, and (c) if goods specifications are detailed enough to allow for substitution. - In 2003, for two and a half months, the Committee of State Control performed an evaluation of data quality for the CPI to determine the statistical methodology used to estimate the CPI. #### 0.4.2 Processes are in place to monitor the quality of the statistical program - Coordination, review, and documentation - The Minstat’s Department of Statistical Planning coordinates work associated with improvement and maintenance of statistical quality; information is considered by the Board of Management. - All statistical questionnaires are sent to the Department of Statistical Planning for review, then considered by the Scientific-Methodological Council and approved by the Board of Management. - The Board of Management focuses on quality and methodological issues; staff receive a copy of a Duty Manual that reinforces the importance of high standards and the need to produce high standard statistics. - Staff are civil servants and are made aware of their responsibilities under the Law on the Civil Service. - Article 3 of the Law on State Statistics states basic principles: (a) objectivity and reliability of statistical information; (b) stability and comparability of statistical data; and (c) accessibility and openness of statistical information within the bounds set by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus. - Data flow and timeliness - Reviews are undertaken of all unusual movements in the price data received at the Minstat and are traced back to the reporter if necessary. - CPI data are disseminated twelve days after the reference period. - At the district level, specialists have twenty days for collection and revision. - Data are then sent to the regional offices that have five days to review the data before they are sent to the Minstat headquarters. - CPI data are final when documented by the Minstat. #### 0.4.3 Processes are in place to deal with quality considerations in planning the statistical program - Trade-offs and planning - There are no trade-offs between timeliness and quality. - The annual plan ensures that all deadlines are met, and quality price statistics are compiled and disseminated. *Source: 0.2 Resources, Price Statistics (Consumer Price Index)* ### 1. Assurances of integrity ### 1.1 Professionalism #### 1.1.1 Statistics are produced on an impartial basis - Legal and institutional safeguards - Article 4 of the Law on State Statistics: central statistical authority is subordinate to the Council of Ministers and shall act on the basis of regulations approved by the Council of the Republic of Belarus; the regulations are prepared by the Minstat. - Article 10: interference by any government authorities, officials, and other persons in the activity of the state statistical authorities shall not be permitted. - The mission was informed there has never been any question of interference or attempted interference with the professional independence of the Minstat. - The appointment and termination of the minister are determined by the government; present Minister of Statistics was appointed in 1998. - The Minstat is contemplating proposing a change from a ministry to a National Statistical Committee to reinforce independence of the chief statistician. - Staffing, recruitment, and professional development - Recruitment and promotion are based on specialists’ expertise in statistics, with specialists usually recruited from the department of statistics at the Belarusian State Economic University. - The Minstat encourages research and analysis by specialists and promotes professionalism via training courses, workshops, and seminars. - On-the-job training in prices is provided at regional and district levels. - The Minstat houses a statistical library for professional literature access. - Under OECD auspices, joint meetings with the Russian Federation, Mongolia, and other CIS countries are held once per year on international comparisons and CPI methodological compilations. #### 1.1.2 Choices of sources and statistical techniques as well as decisions about dissemination are informed solely by statistical considerations - Methodological control and independence - Sources and methods for compiling price statistics and component statistics are fully under the control of the Minstat; concepts and standards follow international standards to a large extent. - Appropriate data sources are used throughout CPI compilation. - No known outside interference or attempted interference in matters of sources, methods, and dissemination. - Article 10 of the Law on State Statistics provides guarantees of independence in selection of methodology, data sources, content, and format of data disseminated by the Minstat. - Article 3 reinforces objectivity and reliability as a basic principle. #### 1.1.3 The appropriate statistical entity is entitled to comment on erroneous interpretation and misuse of statistics - Right to respond and public clarification - Article 10 states the Minstat has the right to comment on incorrect utilization and incorrect interpretation of statistical data. - In cases of erroneous interpretations, the Minstat will provide clarifications in the mass media (for example, publications in the National Economic Gazette). - The Minstat monitors all newspapers for erroneous interpretation of the CPI and provides timely responses. *Source: 0.2 Resources, Price Statistics (Consumer Price Index)* ### 1.2 Transparency #### 1.2.1 The terms and conditions under which statistics are collected, processed, and disseminated are available to the public - Legal availability and metadata - The Minstat’s web site provides the Law of the Republic of Belarus on State Statistics; terms and conditions under which official statistics are collected, compiled and disseminated are provided, including confidentiality obligations and Minstat rights. - All statistical publications identify where more information about the Minstat and its prices statistics can be found. #### 1.2.2 Internal governmental access to statistics prior to their release is publicly identified - Advance access statement - Metadata for prices posted on the Minstat’s web site clearly states that there is no internal governmental access to statistics prior to their release to the public. #### 1.2.3 Products of statistical agencies/units are clearly identified as such - Attribution and acknowledgement - Products of the Minstat are clearly identified through the Ministry’s name and logo on the web site and in publications. - In the case of joint publications, the part attributable to the Minstat is clearly identified. - The Minstat requests acknowledgement when its prices statistics are used for reproduction in other agencies or ministries publications. #### 1.2.4 Advanced notice is given of major changes in methodology, source data, and statistical techniques - Change notification practices - The Minstat does not give advance notice to the public in statistical publications when major changes are introduced in methodology, sources, and statistical techniques for compilation of prices statistics. - Prior to 2003, advance notice of planned changes, in summary form, was given to the public in the National Register of Legal Acts; this practice has been discontinued. - Users can obtain information on changes from the reference data base of regulative legal information maintained by the National Center of Legal Acts. *Source: 0.2 Resources, Price Statistics (Consumer Price Index)* ### 1.3 Ethical standards #### 1.3.1 Guidelines for staff behavior are in place and are well known to the staff - Legal provisions and internal rules - Articles 13 and 15 of the Law on State Statistics provide guidelines on correct behavior and conflict of interest situations. - Article 13: authorities that maintain state statistics are required to preserve state and commercial secrecy. - Article 15: employees shall bear liability in accordance with legislation for violating the Law concerning collection and use of statistical data and for concealing and distorting them. - Requirements regarding staff behavior are notified in the Duty Manual provided to each staff member. - The Law on Civil Service provides guidelines about staff behavior; it was recently amended and training courses were arranged to inform staff about their responsibilities. - Employment contracts and ethics - All new staff are required to sign an employment contract that outlines the ethical standards and are reminded annually of these standards. - The Law on Civil Service requires civil servants to observe culture of communication, norms of business ethics, maintain confidentiality about work activities, and observe internal regulations, especially those related to confidential information. *Source: 0.2 Resources, Price Statistics (Consumer Price Index)* ### 2. Methodological soundness ### 2. Methodological soundness ### 2.1 Concepts and definitions - The national CPI concepts and definitions generally follow the System of National Accounts 1993 (1993 SNA). - The CPI methodology is described in Methodological Guideline in Statistics (2003). - Expenditure weights are estimated using the HIES as the primary data source; HIES follows 1993 SNA guidelines. - COICOP is used to classify goods and services in the CPI. - No expenditure estimates exist for household consumption of housing services from own production (owners’ inputted rents) or residential capital formation; weights are not calculated for these components but are believed relatively insignificant. Residential ownerships are increasing and weights should be calculated. ### 2.2 Scope - Expenditure aggregate covers households of all sizes; index weights include only urban households. - Prices are collected from 31 cities and towns that comprise 68 percent of the total population of the Republic of Belarus, and 74 percent of all urban population. - Rural households are excluded from CPI index weights; rural households are not deemed representative as the majority of population resides in urban areas. - High-income households tend not to participate in the expenditure survey; macro level mathematical adjustments are conducted to allow for their exclusion. - Households with unincorporated business activity are included, but only household purchases (not own-account consumption) are included. - Sales of illegal market goods and services such as prostitution and drugs are excluded. - Imputed rents for owner-occupied housing are excluded because homeowners do not provide imputed rent information in the expenditure survey; rents in the CPI reflect subsidized/controlled rental rates that are similar for owners and lessees over a long period. - Imputed rents are a missing component that should be included, particularly for the deflator of dwelling activities in GDP estimates. ### 2.3 Classification/sectorization - Classification and sectorization broadly conform to internationally accepted systems. - COICOP guidelines are used to classify consumption activities. ### 2.4 Basis for recording - Market prices are generally used to value flows and stocks; some administrative price controls exist. - Consumption expenditure in the HIES (the CPI weights) is valued at purchasers’ prices, including trade and transportation margins and applicable taxes less subsidies on products. - Household residential capital formation is not included in the CPI. - Product specifications are designed at the regional level with Minstat guidance; price-determining characteristics consider size, color, brand, and quality. - Recording is on an accrual basis: prices recorded in the period purchased; CPI prices collected between the tenth and thirtieth of the month. - Prices of volatile goods (bread, fruits, vegetables) are collected frequently, usually two to three times per month. - CPI excludes net purchases of existing goods (used cars, owner-occupied housing, other second-hand durables). - Third party liability car insurance is not included in the CPI; thus no netting of claims from premiums issue. ### Key methodological gaps and recommendations (implied by text) - Calculate weights for owner-occupied housing services (imputed rents) and residential capital formation as residential ownerships increase. - Consider coverage of rural households or document representativeness given urban-only weights. - Establish a users’ group; no periodic meetings with consumer groups and the business community are held to identify new developments. --- ### 3. Accuracy and reliability ### 3.1 Source data - Data sources are continuously reviewed; regional and district specialists check places of purchase, public and private enterprises, and informal markets. - Minstat selects over 377 goods and services to characterize consumer expenditure. - Prices are registered in 31 cities and towns in public and private retail shops and urban and informal marketplaces. - Other sources used to supplement core compilation include six named departmental sources within Minstat (listed in source text). - HIES details: - Regular sample survey covering approximately 6,000 households. - Sample selection based on the 1999 population census with regular updating for births, deaths, and migration; adjustments in latter stages using electoral roll data. - Sample representative of large cities, smaller cities within oblasts, towns, and villages. - Each household has an equal chance of selection. - Response is voluntary; response rate of 86 percent is achieved. - Mathematical procedures compensate for household dropouts; households that change addresses are not followed unless they move within the same city and are easy to locate (otherwise treated as nonresponse and compensated by re-weighting). - Collective households are excluded (elderly and nursing homes, student hostels, hotels, soldiers’ barracks, hospitals, sanatoria, prisons). - Corrections for nonresponse bias use basic household characteristics (place of residence, household size, number of children under 18, number of elderly persons, type of housing). - Sampled families are surveyed during a 12-month period; each household is visited 17 times by an interviewer. - Two information types collected: - Diary: daily expenditure for a 14-day period including food produced for own consumption or received as a gift; sample families equally distributed into rotation groups throughout the quarter. - Interview: data on major household expenditures and incomes during the last quarter; used to calculate annual expenditures and incomes. - HIES produces average monthly expenditure per family on 878 codes of consumer goods and services based on COICOP; food items further subdivided into 285 items. - Sources for CPI prices: - Coverage comprehensive; enterprises selected by purposive sample based on products sold. - Most prices collected by personal visits; interviewers select and specify the most popular variety for continued price collection. - Primarily large supermarkets and retailers selected; medium and large marketplaces included; no street vendors included. - District level: three price quotes selected; regional level: five price quotes; Minsk city: ten price quotes (each region including Minsk city have administrative district offices who collect price information). - Places of recording change; cities in the sample do not change. - Prices for 377 goods and services collected monthly for 31 cities. - CPI covers 41,000 prices. - CPI does not include owner-occupied dwellings, illegally marketed goods, and second-hand durable goods. - CPI sample composed of 4,385 outlets: - 1,043 outlets for food - 1,845 outlets for nonfood products - 1,497 outlets for services - Minstat sample information contains outlet name, address, types of products sold, and public/private status. - Ad hoc surveys identify new products and provide source data for weights and prices via DPS → HIES → regional/district interviews. - Users’ engagement gap: no periodic meetings with consumer groups and business community; need for a users’ group. ### 3.1.2 Timeliness and approximation - Minstat price data consistent with CPI definitions, scope, classifications, time of recording, reference periods, and valuation. - CPI price sample representative of monetary transactions in urban areas for consumption goods and services except used goods. - HIES data timely; new sample selected annually; weights for CPI updated annually. - Prices collected in a timely manner per annual plan; CPI sample timely. ### 3.2 Assessment of source data - Sampling errors monitored monthly. - Routine checks for weights, price relatives, misclassifications, and outliers. - Nonresponse problems uncommon due to interviewer-enterprise relationships; corrections made for misclassifications and incorrect past month prices with corrections to previous data when needed. - Possible response error: systematic underreporting of expenditures on tobacco and alcoholic beverages; DPS supplements HIES with data from Statistical Trade and Services Department. - Communal services data supplemented by Capital Construction Department; cultural services supplemented by Social Statistics Department. - Unusually large price movements are traced to retail enterprises and verified; no routine post-enumeration checks beyond this. - Pilot testing used for survey questionnaire changes; comments solicited from enterprises for enterprise survey design. - Accuracy of administrative data from other ministries/trade associations/regulatory authorities are not routinely assessed; Minstat requires periodic checks despite regular receipt and official sign-off. ### 3.3 Statistical techniques - Compilation workflow: district → regional → Minstat. Regional offices send two data sets (one containing the capital of regions, other aggregated data on four cities) to Minstat; price relatives aggregated at elementary levels for 377 items in six regions plus Minsk; Minstat combines, weights, and aggregates into national index. - Outlier handling: adjustments to unit records only when warranted; verification from Minstat datasets and contact with regional/district offices prior to adjustments. - Imputation and nonresponse adjustments are based on sound procedures; no failures to obtain required information in a timely manner from enterprises. - Imputation methods: - Temporarily missing products imputed based on change in price of similar products using matched samples technique. - Seasonal products imputed. - Permanently unavailable products replaced; product specification design allows replacements. - Quality adjustments: - Conducted, usually using an explicit quality adjustment. - Specialists, via Statistical Law access to input costs, estimate value of quality change; implicit quality adjustment methods are unnecessary. - New product introduction coordinated DPS with HIES when market share sufficient. - Two-stage compilation: regional aggregation then Minstat aggregation using a modified Laspeyres formula where 377 short-term price indices aggregated into national index. - Weighting and index details: - HIES used to establish weights; weights revised annually and introduced in May each year. - In high inflation periods, multiple year weights recommended by IWGPS (text describes averaging options and uprating to a common period). - DPS states share of parallel/underground markets is small; expenditure weights not estimated for parallel markets. - No price distinctions for payment method (credit vs cash); values recorded represent economic cost at time of purchase regardless of payment method. - Goods and services produced for own final consumption are not included in CPI. - Elementary level index calculation uses arithmetic mean or ratio of average prices. - Short-term price change based on previous month = 100. - Long-term price change calculated as December of previous year = 100, and historical chained index with December 1990 = 100. - Present CPI weights refer to the year 2002. - Weights are fixed at the item level and adjusted for price change to align with appropriate price reference period. - When new weights introduced, new index linked to old index with an annual overlap period used to calculate linking factors; one and a half to two months needed to link old index to new index. ### 3.4 Assessment and validation of intermediate data and statistical outputs - Intermediate validation: - CPI compared with PPI and export/import price indices from Foreign Trade Department. - Implicit deflators in national accounts available for part of economy covered by regular CPI compilation. - DPS estimates an index of communication services for legal entities not covered in regular CPI for national accounts. - Cargo and transportation data compiled by DPS for Transportation and Communication Statistics Department are not included in CPI. - Discrepancy handling: - Unusual movements and outliers in item indices verified and traced back to reporting outlet if necessary. - Discrepancies from inconsistent imputation for missing data, seasonal goods, and quality-adjusted goods are routinely assessed. - Validation gaps and risks: - No ranges of control edits supported by computer programs; assessments and verifications are done manually. - Manual verifications may lead to nonsampling and nonobservation errors. *Source: _cr0529 - 2. Methodological soundness* ### 3.5 Revision studies ### 3.5 Revision studies ### Studies and analyses of revisions - Studies and analyses of revisions are carried out routinely and used internally to inform statistical processes (see also 4.3.3). - CPI data are not revised once published. However, weights are routinely analyzed to determine the effects of sampling bias in the index. - The items in the CPI basket and source data are analyzed to determine nonsampling errors. - Findings from these revision studies are shared with the specialists at the regional and district levels, with the hopes that future errors can be avoided. ### Documentation, methods, and approval processes - Adequate documentation on these revision studies is well maintained and includes methods used to incorporate new data sources, and the way data are adjusted. - All proposals for weight revisions must be approved by the Scientific Methodological Council of the Minstat. - Final approval is given by the Order of the Minister with registration in National Register of Legal Act of the Republic of Belarus. This order is published in the Official Bulletin of Legal Acts. ### Public disclosure and legal requirements - CPI data are not revised once published; CPI weights are updated annually. - The new weights are normally introduced with data published in June. - The public is aware of the annual weight updating of the CPI. - The impact of annual weight updating studies is not disseminated in official statistical publications, but would be appropriate for the annual CPI statistical bulletins. - According to the Law on Indexing of Population Income, information concerning any revisions in the CPI must be published since the population income is indexed to the CPI. - According to the Law on Indexing of Population Income, information on CPI must be published since the pension and public wage income is indexed to the CPI. ### Cross-references to serviceability and dissemination practices (selected exact points) - The periodicity of the statistics follows the SDDS requirements. The CPI is compiled monthly. - The monthly estimates are disseminated within one month after the end of the reference month. - Summary CPI statistics are disseminated 12 days after the end of the reference period, while more detailed CPI data are disseminated 21 days after the end of the reference period, and accordingly exceeds SDDS requirements. - Time series data are available for at least five years. Historical time-series data are available for December 1990 = 100. - In July 1993, the IMF Technical Assistance mission recommended that the new CPI and historical time-series should be officially published. - A historical time-series with index reference period of December 1990 = 100 has been infrequently published. This historical time-series is annually published only in the National Economic Gazette, and not in any other official statistical publications. - The DPS hyperlinked the CPI historical time-series to the Minstat’s web site during the mission. The availability of historical time-series is a requirement of the SDDS. ### Key practice observations related to revisions (from summary assessment) - Revision studies on weight updating are not made public. - CPI data are final and are not subject to revisions. - The impact of annual weight updating studies is not disseminated in official statistical publications, though publication is required by law for indexing purposes. *Source: _cr0529 - 3.5 Revision studies* ### Section 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus provides that citizens have the right ### _cr0529 - Section 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus provides that citizens have the right ### Legal framework and mandate for statistics - Section 34 of the Constitution provides that citizens have the right to receive information on the activities of State bodies, and those bodies shall provide citizens with an opportunity to obtain access to the materials pertaining to their rights and legitimate interests. - Article 12 of the Law on State Statistics endorses the constitutional provision and supports an extensive publication program by the Minstat. - Relevant provisions of the Law on State Statistics: - Article 5: ministries and other central administrative authorities shall compile state statistics in accordance with the forms and methodological instructions approved by the central statistical authority. - Article 7: State statistical observations shall be carried out by state statistical authorities, ministries, and other central administrative authorities on the basis of methodological instructions, programs, and forms of statistical reporting approved by the central statistical authority. - Article 8: all legal entities, and entrepreneurs who have not formed legal entities, shall submit statistical reports free of charge, observing the forms, deadlines, and addresses approved by the central statistical authority; questionnaires and deadlines for statistical reporting by banks shall be approved by the central statistical authority as agreed with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB). - Article 9: information containing state and commercial secrets shall not be subject to disclosure; statistical information shall be used for State and scientific purposes and for informing the public. - Article 10: decisions of the state statistical authorities, within their competence, shall be mandatory for implementation by ministries, other central administrative authorities, local executive and administrative authorities, legal entities and other individual entrepreneurs. - Article 12: State statistical authorities are required to preserve state and commercial secrecy and to ensure that primary data obtained from legal entities or physical persons are used exclusively for statistical purposes. - Article 13: ministries and other central administrative authorities that compile state statistics must ensure collection, processing, and reliability of statistical data in their areas of responsibility; supply to state statistical authorities, on their demand, statistical data specified by state statistical reporting; and preserve state and commercial secrecy. - Article 14: officials and entrepreneurs evading mandatory submission of statistical data or submitting distorted data are in breach of the legislation; damage caused by distorted statistical data shall be subject to penalty under legislation of the Republic of Belarus. - Article 6: State statistical authorities are financed from state budget funds in accordance with the statistical work plan approved by the Council of Ministers; additional work may be carried out through supplementary financing. - Article 21 of the Law on Civil Service in the Republic of Belarus (law No. 204-3 of June 14, 2003) states civil servants must not disseminate state secrets entrusted to them; disclosure could result in dismissal. ### Institutional responsibilities and coordination - Minstat structure and responsibilities: - Within the Minstat, the Department of Price Statistics (DPS) is responsible for the compilation of the Producer Price Index for the Republic of Belarus. - The Department of Statistical Planning and Statistical Monitoring within the Minstat is responsible for ensuring effective coordination between the Minstat and ministries with primary responsibility for compiling statistics and other data-producing agencies. - Data sharing and coordination: - The Law on State Statistics provides for data sharing and coordination of statistical activities; decisions of state statistical authorities are mandatory for other administrative bodies. - State statistical observations and reporting forms are to follow methodological instructions approved by the central statistical authority. - The statistical work plan is developed annually (approved in August) and covers the following five years; it is prepared iteratively, reviewed by the Board of Management, and can incorporate important new statistical activities between annual reviews. - Under Article 12, State statistical authorities are required to “use international concepts, classifications, and methods in compiling statistics as the basis for ensuring the harmony and effectiveness of the statistical system of the Republic of Belarus on all official levels”. - Interactions and methodological exchange: - The price statistics departments of the CIS exchange documents and information on methodological approaches. ### Confidentiality, access, and use of individual data - Legal protections and obligations: - Article 9 and Article 12 provide that information containing state and commercial secrets shall not be disclosed and that primary data obtained from legal entities or physical persons are to be used exclusively for statistical purposes. - Article 15 specifies that employees of State statistical authorities, ministries, and other central administrative authorities must not violate the Law concerning collection and use of statistical data and for concealing and distorting them. - Minstat employees sign a contract at commencement of employment that they will not divulge State secrets; reinforced by a Duty Manual. - All computers are password protected; physical security, physical protection of computing facilities, and encoding procedures are in place. - Confidentiality agreements are signed by PPI specialists; PPI data are presented only in aggregated and consolidated manner for researchers and other persons requesting data. - Article 13 requires ministries and other central administrative authorities that produce state statistics shall preserve state and commercial secrecy. - Identified issues and mission observations: - Where one or two nongovernment enterprises contribute to a statistical cell, the Minstat ensures such data remains confidential; these rules are not applied where government enterprises are concerned. - The mission considers that more comprehensive procedures are required to guide staff in ensuring statistics released do not disclose information relating to an individual entity, either directly or by deduction. - It is not clear from the legislation that the Minstat has the authority to release individual data with the consent of the entity concerned; the mission considers the legislation should be clarified concerning this right. - Recommendation: - The Minstat should consider seeking an amendment to the Law on State Statistics enabling the Minstat to release data that would otherwise be confidential with the consent of the entity (entities) involved. This provision would need to be used very sparingly but would allow publication of significant data where only one or two entities are involved. ### Statistical reporting, compliance, and response encouragement - Enforcement and compliance: - Article 8 requires submission of statistical reports free of charge; Article 14 provides penalties for evasion or distortion of mandatory submissions. - The Minstat’s employees are entitled to visit business entities to check accuracy of reported data; inspections are selectively undertaken and sometimes involve specialists of branch ministries. - In 2003, inspections on data accuracy were carried out at 3,700 business entities; amendments were incorporated where discrepancies were discovered. - If an entity refuses to provide information required under the Law, the Minstat may require the entity to appear before a court and the court may impose a penalty; court action is used as a last resort and exercised relatively few times. - Practices to encourage response: - All survey questionnaires state clearly on the top of the front page that information collected will be kept confidential and used for statistical purposes only. - The Minstat provides clear instructions on how to provide price information; methodological guidelines and standing seminars at regional and district levels answer respondents’ questions; standing seminar agendas or schedules are provided by the Department of Statistical Planning and Organization of Statistical Surveys. - Potential improvements suggested by the mission: - The Minstat does not appear to have used other approaches to encourage response, such as brochures explaining uses and importance of statistics or supply of summary data free of charge to respondents. The Minstat may wish to consider supplementary approaches of these kinds to maintain high response levels. ### Resources, staffing, and computing - Staffing and composition: - The Minstat has about 2,200 staff of which about 360 are located in headquarters in Minsk. - About 90 percent of the staff is female. - Retirement age is normally 55 years for women; some retirees are re-appointed as temporary employees. - Number of staff working on prices appears adequate. - Department of Price Statistics staffing table (preserve structure and numbers exactly as presented): - Number of Units Geographic Breakdown Number of Staff CPI PPI Head of Prices Minsk Republic level 17 10 6 1 - Regions (6) Regional level 8–10 Not separately assigned for CPI and PPI - Capital and four districts - District level - 118 - -- - -- - -- - Total 235 - Operational remarks: - The Republic of Belarus is geographically divided into six regions and Minsk City. Statistical survey for prices is arranged in 31 cities and towns including Minsk City, all regional centers, and four district centers in each region. - At the republic level, there are six specialists who work on the PPI, all of whom are university graduates. - Plans for prices expansion are gradual; thus there are no need for increases in staff and resources. - The Minstat’s salary levels are adequate and competitive with the private sector for comparable jobs. - Computing and disaster recovery: - Computing needs and technology appear adequate. - In January 2003, software to estimate the PPI was updated. - There are no provisions of emergency back-up systems for retrieval of PPI statistical series and their updates in the event of natural disasters, accidents, and other unusual events. ### Relevance, user engagement, and quality management - User engagement and relevance: - Apart from the Inter-Agency Council for State Statistics (which focuses on methodological issues), there is no committee to provide advice about new and emerging data needs; the mission recommends the Minstat examine establishing a more broadly based user committee to advise on statistical policy, methodology, and priorities. - Feedback from users on the quality standards of the PPI statistics is not solicited; there are no initiatives or projects in place to facilitate feedback from users of price statistics. - The Research Institute of Economics solicited user feedback but the project was put on hold due to lack of resources. - The relevance and practical utility of the PPI data in meeting user needs are not assessed in any systematic way; the Minstat has not conducted any user surveys in the field of price statistics and has no mechanism to systematically monitor user feedback. - Official statements of the Minstat’s PPI are disseminated monthly in the mass media, particularly in newspaper such as the National Economic Gazette. - Quality assurance processes: - Each year the Minstat performs tasks aimed at improving current statistical reports; drafts of reports and instructions are worked out jointly by branch departments and the Department of Statistical Planning and Organization of Statistical Survey. - Drafts are considered by the Scientific-Methodological Council (headed by the first deputy minister) and then approved by the Minstat’s Board of Management. - The Board of Management provides a clear focus on quality through attention to methodological issues; staff receive a Duty Manual reinforcing high standards and responsibilities under the Law on the Civil Service. - Source data are routinely checked and verified; specialists visit regional offices to check price collection, acceptable goods selection for the PPI, and goods specifications to allow for substitution. - The Department of Statistical Planning coordinates work associated with improvement and maintenance of statistical quality; all questionnaires are sent to that Department for review, then to the Scientific-Methodological Council and final approval by the Board of Management. - Regional staff who work on the PPI participate in annual statistical seminars organized by the Minstat. - Efficiency and performance management: - Resources are allocated according to the statistical work plan prepared in consultation with ministries and other administrative bodies; the work plan is approved by the Board of Management and covers five years. - On an annual basis, a report on specialists’ performance is prepared by the head of the DPS; inadequate performance can result in termination. Personal employment contracts are renewed every one to three years. - Efficiencies are sought through periodic reviews of work processes; consistent concepts, classifications and methodologies across categories are encouraged. - PPI source data are collected and reviewed at the regional level; PPI data are transmitted through dedicated lines to the Minstat. *Source: _cr0529 - Section 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus provides that citizens have the right* ### references to the requirement for work of a high standard. ### references to the requirement for work of a high standard. ### Price statistics: data collection and timeliness - Reviews are undertaken of all unusual movements in the price data received at the Minstat, and are traced back to the reporter, if necessary. - The PPI data are disseminated twelve days after the reference period. - Data transmission timeline: - Enterprises send data to the regional statistical department on the second of the month after the reference period. - Regional statistical departments have three days to verify the data. - On the fifth of the month after the reference period regional departments transmit the data to the Minstat’s headquarters. - PPI data are preliminary and are subject to revisions when disseminated by the Minstat. - The annual plan ensures that all deadlines are met, and quality price statistics are compiled and disseminated (no trade offs between timeliness and quality). ### Assurances of integrity — Professionalism and independence - Legal and institutional provisions: - Article 3 of the Law on State Statistics: basic principles include (a) objectivity and reliability of statistical information; (b) stability and comparability of statistical data; and (c) accessibility and openness of statistical information within the bounds set by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus. - Article 4: central statistical authority is subordinate to the Council of Ministers; regulations prepared by the Minstat. - Article 10: interference by any government authorities, officials, and other persons in the activity of the state statistical authorities shall not be permitted. - Reported facts: - The mission was informed that there has never been any question of interference or attempted interference with the professional independence of the Minstat. - The appointment and termination of the minister are determined by the government; upon election of the president a new government is formed. The present Minister of Statistics was appointed in 1998. - The Minstat is contemplating proposing a change from a ministry to a National Statistical Committee to reinforce independence of the chief statistician. - Human resources and capacity building: - Recruitment and promotion are based on specialists’ expertise in statistics; specialists usually recruited from the faculty of the department of statistics at the Belarusian State Economic University. - Minstat encourages research and analysis by specialists and promotes staff participation in training courses, workshops and seminars. - On-the-job training in prices is provided at regional and district levels; however, Minstat reports they do not have the opportunity to send their specialists in prices methodology and compilation methods to seminars and workshops arranged by the IMF Institute. - Minstat houses a statistical library for staff access to professional literature. - Control over sources, methods, and dissemination: - Sources and methods for compiling prices statistics are fully under Minstat control; concepts and standards follow international standards to a large extent. - Article 10 and Article 3 provide guarantees of independence in selection of methodology, data sources, content, and format of disseminated data. - Right to respond to misuse: - Article 10 (“the Rights of State Statistical Authorities”) grants Minstat the right to comment on incorrect utilization and incorrect interpretation of statistical data. - Minstat monitors newspapers for erroneous interpretation of the PPI and provides timely responses; clarifications can be provided in the mass media. ### Transparency and publication practices - Public access to terms and conditions: - The Minstat’s web site provides the Law of the Republic of Belarus on State Statistics; terms and conditions under which official statistics are collected, compiled and disseminated are provided, including obligations to compile and disseminate price statistics and confidentiality provisions. - All statistical publications identify where more information about the Minstat and its prices statistics can be found. - Internal governmental access: - Metadata for prices posted on the Minstat’s web site clearly states that there is no internal governmental access to statistics prior to their release to the public. - Identification of products: - Products of the Minstat are clearly identified through the Ministry’s name and logo; in joint publications the part attributable to the Minstat is clearly identified. The Minstat requests acknowledgement when its prices statistics are reproduced by other agencies. - Advance notice of methodological changes: - The Minstat does not give advance notice to the public in statistical publications when major changes are introduced in methodology, sources, and statistical techniques for compilation of prices statistics. - Prior to 2003, advance notice of planned changes, in summary form, was given to the public in the National Register of Legal Acts; this practice has been discontinued. - Users can obtain information on changes from the reference data base of regulative legal information maintained by the National Center of Legal Acts. ### Ethical standards and staff behavior - Legal provisions and internal guidance: - Articles 13 and 15 of the Law on State Statistics provide guidelines on correct behavior in potential conflict-of-interest situations, obligations to preserve state and commercial secrecy, and liability for violations concerning collection and use of statistical data. - Requirements regarding staff behavior are notified in the Duty Manual, provided to each staff member. - The Law on Civil Service provides additional guidelines about staff behavior; it was recently amended and training courses were arranged to inform staff about their responsibilities. - Implementation: - All new staff are required to sign an employment contract that outlines the ethical standards and are reminded annually of these standards. - The Law on Civil Service requires civil servants to observe culture of communication, maintain confidentiality about work activities, and observe internal regulations related to confidential information. ### Methodological soundness — concepts, scope, and classifications - International standards: - Key concepts and definitions for the PPI are in accordance with the guidelines of the 1993 SNA and broadly follow internationally accepted good practices. - The methodology for compiling the PPI is described in the publication Methodological Guideline in Statistics (2003). - Output estimates are compiled at the subgroup or five digit levels for industrial detail. - Scope and coverage: - The PPI covers total industry with breakdown by 14 main branches: (a) electric power, (b) fuel, (c) ferrous, (d) chemical and petrochemical, (e) machine-building and metal cutting, (f) logging, wood-working and pulp and paper, (g) building materials, (h) glass, porcelain and faience, (i) light industry, (j) food, (k) microbiological, (l) fodder, flour and grains, (m) medical, (n) other industries. - The PPI covers timber processing, fishing, and construction activities, but does not cover agriculture and forestry. - There is no service type industries included in the output price index. - All types of resident market enterprises are in scope; enterprises such as free zones, bonded warehouses, and factories operated by offshore enterprises under customs control are covered. - Exclusions: changes in output inventories and own-account production for own final consumption, output of market goods for own-account fixed capital formation, illegal market goods, market services production for sale, production of selected services for own final consumption, production of services for own account fixed capital formation, and illegal market services sold to willing buyers are not included. - Classification systems: - The 1993 SNA is followed to classify institutional units and transactions. - Published industry indices use ISIC Revision 3; partial NACE is also used at the most detailed level. - Proposals have been submitted to classify products according to the classification of products by activity. - Basis for recording and valuation: - Valuation rules are in accordance with 1993 SNA; timing for recording flows is based on sales of the period. - Valuation rule for output weights and product prices is based on basic/producer prices. VAT and consumption taxes are excluded; subsidies on products are included. - Outputs for own-use are not covered in the PPI (only sold products are covered). - Prices collected are basic prices received by the producer; transaction characteristics such as intra-enterprise transfers are included and valued at transfer price. - Recording is done on an accrual basis: outputs of finished goods are recorded in the period they are produced. - No stage of processing indices are produced; therefore no grossing or netting is conducted. ### Accuracy and reliability — source data and sampling - Business register and survey frame: - A comprehensive and up-to-date business register provides the basis for sample surveys; the business register is updated annually and covers all enterprises. - Weights for the PPI are based on product data obtained from these surveys. - Sample and coverage specifics: - Nine hundred and fifty-six enterprises are included in the survey for 3,000 products. - The sample is selected on a judgmental basis (random sampling is not used). - Enterprise selection process: industries → sub-industries → production activities → enterprises. - Product selection process: commodities (4-digit classes) selected by judgmental sampling, then main producers selected, then particular price-representing products selected by judgmental selection. - Survey questionnaires are agreed upon according to pilot testing of the enterprises. - Coverage rates: - The survey coverage of activities for the main industrial group is 68 percent. - Coverage by industry (examples): - electric power: 91 percent - chemical: 91 percent - building materials: 82 percent - glass, porcelain, and faience: 77 percent - food: 63 percent - logging, wood-working and pulp and paper: 59 percent - The mission felt that coverage is inadequate and recommended developing sampling frames for a wide range of economic activities that include services. - Data collection and quality control: - On an annual basis, Minstat specialists review the business registry to identify new enterprises and products and to delete dead units and account for mergers and changeovers. - The majority of enterprises in the sample are large and medium entities kept in the sample; small enterprises are selected with panel rotation to minimize bias from sample attrition. - Information from the Department of Statistics of Enterprise and Fuel, Energy Complex supplements core compilation. - There are no periodic meetings held with enterprises to identify new developments for the PPI; the absence of a users’ group is highlighted. - Enterprises are asked to provide product prices and production volumes; production volumes information on recent period’s inventory is explicitly requested. - Product specifications include size, color, weight, volume, speed, and power; forms indicate the basis of recording (excludes value-added and excise taxes and transport charges) and the deadline (second of the month after the reference period). - Regional office specialists provide seminars for enterprises on how to correctly fill out surveys. - Timeliness and response: - Enterprises present data on transactions made within the month for selected products. - By the second day of the month after the reference period, surveys should be received in regional offices; on the fifth day of the month regional offices send reports to Minstat headquarters for weighting and compilation. - According to the Minstat, all surveys from all enterprises are received on time and there is a 100 percent response. *Source: _cr0529 - references to the requirement for work of a high standard.* ### 3.2 Assessment of source data ### 3.2 Assessment of source data ### 3.2 Assessment of source data — key findings - Source data include censuses, sample surveys, and administrative records; these are routinely assessed for coverage, sample error, response error, and nonsampling error. Results of assessments are monitored and made available to guide statistical processes. - Information about errors for each survey is monitored on a monthly basis. - Information on weights, price relatives, misclassifications, and outliers are routinely checked. - Problems of no response are uncommon due to established relationships between statistical authorities and enterprises; imputations are done to account for any misclassifications. - If there were a mistake with last month’s price, the specialist would be alerted and corrections to previous data would be done. - All large movements in prices are traced back to the enterprise if warranted and are verified. - Post-enumeration checks are made, and the index is revised back to two months. - Pilot testing is done to analyze effects of changes in survey questionnaires; comments and recommendations are solicited from enterprises to design better enterprise surveys. - There are no administrative data and other secondary sources. ### 3.3 Statistical techniques — compilation and processing - PPI collection and tabulation sequence: - First at the regional level, then at Minstat’s headquarters. - At regional level: enterprise surveys verified, checked, and entered into the computer system. - At headquarters: elementary aggregates are weighted and calculated for product by basis arithmetic mean of price ratios, second by sub-industry, third by industries, and fourth for the Republic of Belarus as a whole using a Laspeyres index approach. - Compilation procedures minimize processing errors (coding, editing, tabulation). In 2003, the DPS developed new PPI software enabling identification of sampling, nonsampling, and observation errors. - Adjustments to unit records are made only when clearly warranted and can be identified in price tabulations. - Outlier handling: data verified from datasets in Minstat’s headquarters; regional offices contacted if adjustments needed. - Procedures for imputation and adjustment are soundly based; no failures to obtain required information in a timely manner from enterprises selected in the sample. - Regional specialists provide standing seminars for enterprises on correctly filling out surveys to facilitate timely response. - No adjustments necessary to data sources to improve coverage since data sources are derived from the business registry; all enterprises must be registered and an annually up-to-date business register exists. - Imputation practices: - Temporarily missing products: imputed based on change in price of similar products using the match sample technique; in certain cases the last reported price is carried forward. - Missing prices for seasonal products: imputed at the sub-industry level. - Products permanently unavailable: replaced in the sample and back corrections are made to adjust the base price. - Design of product specification allows replacements. - Quality adjustments use both implicit and explicit quality adjustment methods. - New products introduced into the sample as they gain market share; normal practice is to defer introduction into PPI until the following year when weights are updated. ### 3.3.2 Aggregation, weights, and index formulas - Elementary index calculation: - At the elementary level, an arithmetic mean or the ratio of average prices is used. - Short-term price change: calculated for prices in the last three months and prices for the previous month. - Long-term price change: calculated for a historical chained index with December 1990 = 100. - Aggregation method: Laspeyres formula. - Present PPI weights refer to the year 2002. - Weights are fixed at the item level and adjusted for price change to align with the appropriate price reference period. - Weights compiled using data from business surveys on values of goods produced; revised annually and introduced in January. - New weights introduced by the normal linking process; nine months are needed to link the old index to the new index. - Weights are shares in gross output as defined in the 1993 SNA. - Exclusions from PPI weights: work in progress (work currently under production), production such as growing crops, standing timber, stocks of fish, and large construction projects are not included. - PPI has output weights compiled from establishment reports of output. - Producers who own their buildings and factories do not provide imputed rents for the PPI. - All products are priced at actual transaction price. ### 3.4 Assessment and validation of intermediate data and outputs - 3.4.1: Intermediate results are validated against other information where applicable — PPI is checked against relevant components of the CPI. - 3.4.2: Statistical discrepancies are assessed and investigated: - Unusual movements arising from large sectoral or enterprise movements are investigated and explained in descriptive documentations. - Errors found during verification are analyzed by Minstat and sent to regional statistical departments to prevent recurrence; these documents are not available to the public. - No information available about sampling errors for the monthly statistical survey collecting product prices because random sampling is not used. - Minimal problems with nonresponse; follow-up by telephone call or personal visit when surveys are not received on time. - 3.4.3: Discrepancies from inconsistent imputation for missing data, seasonal goods, and quality adjusted goods are routinely assessed. - Ranges of control edits supported by computer programs are used to assess and validate the data. ### 3.5 Revision studies - PPI data are first released as preliminary, and then two months later PPI data become final; revised data are identified by footnotes in statistical publications. - Once per year, weights are routinely analyzed to determine effects of structural changes; new and old structures of weights are compared. - Source data are analyzed to determine nonsampling errors. - Adequate documentation on revision studies is maintained, including methods used to incorporate new data sources and how data are adjusted. - All proposals for weight revisions must be approved by the Scientific-methodological Council of the Minstat. ### 4. Serviceability — periodicity and timeliness - Periodicity follows SDDS requirements: PPI data are compiled monthly. - Timeliness follows dissemination standards: - Monthly estimates disseminated within one month after the end of the reference month. - Summary PPI statistics disseminated 12 days after the end of the reference period. - More detailed PPI data disseminated 21 days after the end of the reference period, and accordingly, exceeds SDDS requirements. - Release schedule: - An advance release calendar is posted with release dates for the upcoming three months. - PPI data are usually released punctually on the 12th of the month. If the 12th is not a working day, the PPI is released on the prior Friday before the 12th. - PPI data are transmitted simultaneously to all users on the 12th of the month, or the prior Friday before the 12th, usually through the press release. ### 4.2 Consistency - 4.2.1: Statistics are consistent within the dataset — consistent PPI series published for industry and product classifications. - 4.2.2: Time series availability and historical base: - Time series data are available for the last fourteen years. - Historical time-series data available with December 1990 = 100. - During the mission the historical time series for 14 years were published (December 1990 = 100), meeting the no less than five years requirement of good statistical practices. - The infrequent publications of long time series data of five years or greater, with a given reference base, does not meet international good practice for index publication. - This historical time-series is only published in the National Economic Gazette, and not in any official statistical publications. - The DPS hyperlinked the PPI historical time-series to the Minstat’s web site during the mission. The availability of historical time-series is a requirement of the SDDS. - 4.2.3: Statistics are largely consistent or reconcilable with CPI statistics. ### 4.3 Revision policy and practice - PPI data are revised once published; index weights are updated annually. - New weights normally introduced with data published in January. - The public is aware of the annual weight updating. - Both preliminary and revised PPI data are clearly identified. - Studies and analyses of revisions (impact of annual weight updating) are not disseminated in official statistical publications but would be appropriate for the annual PPI statistical bulletins. ### 5. Accessibility — dissemination and metadata - 5.1 Data accessibility: - PPI data published in a clear manner; charts and tables disseminated in certain publications to facilitate analysis. - Datasets published in consolidated format as a whole, by industries, subindustries, by means of production, intermediate, and consumer good. - In all statistical publications, PPI data published for the Republic as a whole against the previous month and also against December of the previous year. - Chain-linked historical time series data are disseminated in the National Economic Gazette on an infrequent basis. - Relevant series are not disseminated in a seasonally adjusted form, and there are no plans to seasonally adjust the data. - PPI data disseminated via official press releases and internet web site; data simultaneously disseminated to all interested parties through a monthly press release “Balta.” - More comprehensive/detailed statistics available upon request; such requests usually completed in five days and longer if requests are labor intensive. - Detailed customized tabulation of PPI data available upon request; customized tabulations that satisfy Minstat’s disclosure requirements may be provided for a fee. - Data users are aware of availability and procedures; procedures explicitly provided in statistical publications. - 5.2 Metadata accessibility: - Limited PPI methodologies provided in: - the Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Belarus, 2003, - the Consumer Price Indices, - the Quarterly Statistical Bulletin, - the Price Indices for Consumer Goods and Services, and for Produced Industrial Goods. - Very detailed methodological descriptions provided in statistical publications such as Methodological Guidelines and Methodological Guidelines on Statistics; however, these publications are not easily accessible to the public. - No published information in official statistical publications on survey sources such as response rates, survey monitoring, non sampling errors, sample frame, sample design, estimation, and imputation techniques; references are made of the administrative data sources used. - There are PPI metadata in SDDS format posted on the Minstat’s web site, though there are no SDDS summary methodologies on PPI at this time. - There are no pamphlets, brochures, background papers, or working documents about the PPI and other prices statistics made available to the public on a frequent basis. - 5.3 Assistance to users: - Contact person with telephone, facsimile, email, and internet address is provided on the inside of most price statistics publications. - Assistance to users is monitored and reviewed periodically; General Department logs requests with a number and tracks implementation. Users reported that requests for data are not met in a timely manner. - The Minstat publishes a comprehensive print catalogue of all its publications; this catalogue is annually updated. Prices of statistical products and services are not disclosed due to frequent changes and are listed as contractual. ### Quality assessment summary (selected observations from Table 3) - Noted deficiencies and observations: - There are no procedures to ensure confidentiality where small numbers of entities are concerned. - There are no provisions for emergency back-up systems for retrieval of PPI statistics. - There is no user’s advisory committee or working group. - Advance notice is not given of major changes in methodology, source data, and statistical techniques. - Service type industries are not included in the PPI. Own-account production and rental for own-account dwellings are not imputed. - Historical time-series data have been infrequently published. - Revision studies on weight updating are not made public. - Detailed methodological guidelines are not easily accessible. *Source: 3.2–5.3 sections of Price Statistics (Producer Price Index) — Republic of Belarus (Minstat) — Data Quality Assessment Framework (July 2003).* ### 5.3 Assistance to users ### 5.3 Assistance to users ### User feedback - "Users said that request for data are not met in a timely manner." ### Institutional responsibilities and dissemination - Government finance statistics (GFS) on the general government operations are collected, compiled, and disseminated by the Ministry of Finance (MoF). - Responsibility is specified in the Provision on Structural Units of the MoF (Order No. 322 of March 12, 2002). - Article 8.4: the Budget Policy, Financial Analysis, and Forecasting Division of the MoF (BPFAFD) shall compile GFS in accordance with international standards. - Article 9.14: the BPFSFD shall compile and submit GFS to the IMF, the Minstat, the NBRB, and other Belarusian agencies concerned. - The BPFAFD compiles GFS on the basis of reporting on the execution of consolidated budget of the Republic of Belarus (including state earmarked budgetary and extrabudgetary funds). - The BPFAFD regularly provides GFS to the IMF for publication in International Financial Statistics and the Government Finance Statistics Yearbook, and provides fiscal data to the IMF’s European Department. - The MoF compiles and disseminates some fiscal statistics that may fulfill SDDS requirements, and prepares analytical fiscal reports with tables and graphics disseminated on its web site on a monthly basis. ### Legal framework supporting reporting and access - Relevant laws and provisions cited include: - the Constitution of 1994 (and amendments from the Republican Referendum of November 24, 1996); - Law on the Budget System of the Republic of Belarus and State Extrabudgetary Funds (law No. 2347-XII of June 4, 1993); - Law on the 2004 Budget of the Republic of Belarus (law No. 259-3 of December 29, 2003); - Law on Budget Classification (law No. 158-3 of May 5, 1999); - Law on the Internal Government Debt of Republic of Belarus (law No. 2328-XII of May 27, 1993); - Law on the External Government Debt of the Republic of Belarus (law No. 170-Z of June 22, 1998); - Law on Accounting and Reporting and its amendments (law No. 42-3 of June 25, 2001); - Provision on Accounting Reports of Organizations financed by the Budget (provision No. 13 of January 30, 2002); - Law on Local Government and Self-government in the Republic of Belarus (law No. 617-XII of February 20, 1991); - Law on State Statistics (law No. 18-3 of February 17, 1997). - Article 34 of the Constitution: citizens guaranteed rights to receive, store, and disseminate complete, reliable, and timely information of the activities of state bodies and public associations (with specified restrictions). - Article 11 of the Budget System law: approved budgets and reports on execution of the budget should be published in the press. - Article 20: MoF will compile a report on execution of the consolidated budget for the previous (fiscal) year and submit to government; the report on annual budget execution should be approved by the Parliament. - Article 8 (Budget System law) establishes procedures to ensure effective and timely flow of source data via a unique legislative baseline, single form of budget documentation, single budget classification, and reporting for consolidated budget compilation. - Article 21 (Budget System law) establishes coordination among MoF, Ministry of Economy, and NBRB on main economic assumptions and basic guidelines; Minstat and NBRB to submit statistical information needed to prepare projections and budgets to MoF and local executive branches. - Law on State Statistics articles: ministries and central administrative authorities should maintain statistics per forms and methodological instructions approved by Minstat; legal entities required to submit statistical reports per central authority; ministries that maintain State statistics should supervise recording and reporting and verify reliability. - The State Secret Law (Decree of the President No. 129 of March 3, 1999) lists datasets constituting state secret and includes data on financial transfers and payments from the Republican Budget. - Article 21 of the Law on Civil Service (law No. 204-3 of June 14, 2003) prohibits civil servants from disseminating state secrets entrusted to them. ### Data sharing, coordination, and confidentiality - Data sharing and coordination among the MoF, the Ministry of Economy, the NBRB, and the Minstat are adequate. - Budgetary data provided to the NBRB is not enough for reconciliation of fiscal and monetary data. - There are no formal working arrangements to ensure regular reconciliation of monetary, balance of payments, national accounts, and fiscal data. - Confidentiality of reporters’ data is protected by the Law on National Statistics; information containing state and commercial secrets should not be disclosed and must be protected. ### Reporting mandates and enforcement - The Law on the Budget System enforces administrative authorities of the Republican budget and local governments to submit consolidated budgets and reports on execution within deadlines established by the MoF. - At MoF request, banks provide information on financial accounts of ministries, other Republican government authorities, state extrabudgetary funds, other legal entities, and individuals using budget resources. - Article 22 (Budget System law): MoF has rights to restrict and suspend financing of expenditures if recipients fail to provide information or misuse resources. - Article 29: MoF will prepare and submit to the President a report on execution of Republican budget no later than five months after the last day of the fiscal year. - Laws on domestic and foreign government debts require MoF to maintain records of domestic and foreign government debts and a uniform system for registration and management of foreign government loans. - The law on accounting and reporting: MoF outlines types of reports, periodicity, calendar for reporting, and penalties for non-reporting; these are defined by the Provision on Accounting Reports of Organizations Financed by the Budget. - Administrative provisions include assistance to reporters in completing and submitting forms and a reporting calendar. MoF recognizes high level of compliance by budgetary and local government units. ### Resources and staffing - GFS are compiled by one economist in the BPFAFD of the MoF. This GFS compilation work is supervised by the head of BPFAFD and is done in addition to the staff’s other regular tasks. - Staff qualifications are adequate, but MoF should increase number of personnel involved in GFS compilation, especially if migrating to the new analytical framework. - The MoF does not experience a high staff turnover. - The economist in charge participated in a GFS course based on GFSM 1986 methodology in 1999, and is scheduled to attend the GFS Joint Vienna Institute course based on the GFSM 2001 in 2004. - Some measures exist to encourage retention of experienced staff; constraints on promotion and merit increases exist within the civil service system. - Available computer resources are reasonable but need updating. Software for compiling GFS is adequate for current needs but has problems for conversion to GFS format; software for data analysis requires updating. - The MoF has an IT unit that provides anti-virus software but does not keep back-up of the GFS produced in the MoF. - Physical facilities are adequate for current GFS, but financial resources for collection, compilation, and dissemination are insufficient — a restriction that will be more evident with increased future GFS activities such as SDDS subscription and migration to GFSM 2001. ### Efficiency, cost, and external assistance - Costs associated with GFS compilation are not separately calculated. - MoF carries out reviews of staff performance at least once every three years; results are used for promotion policy. - MoF has sought expert assistance from the IMF, especially the Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD), to assess treasury activities, public expenditure management, budget code, and budget classification. - In 1993, a multitopic statistical mission from the IMF’s Statistics Department visited Minsk. Technical assistance has also been provided by the World Bank and other international organizations. ### Relevance and quality management - The MoF does not undertake research to identify new and emerging data requirements; official letters from other public institutions (for example, the State Custom Committee) requesting changes are taken into account. - There are no surveys for obtaining feedback about the relevance and practical utility of fiscal data, though some feedback is received from other government units. - MoF has intensified efforts to compile and disseminate a more complete set of fiscal data with increased institutional coverage (for example, including the Social Protection Fund of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Republic of Belarus), and to improve timeliness and periodicity. - Republic of Belarus is working to fulfill all requirements for subscription to the SDDS. - Monitoring mechanisms in place: - Execution of the Republican Budget is monitored by the MoF and the State Control Committee over the fiscal year. - MoF and higher-level local administrative authorities have rights to request any information related to budget execution. - There are no formal processes to assess the quality of GFS and no medium term plan to improve data quality, but specific improvements underway include: - MoF is extending coverage to include all extrabudgetary operations, for more complete institutional coverage; - MoF is working on improvements in the GFS classification, especially expenditure economic and functional classifications; - MoF is disseminating fiscal data on its web site; - MoF is familiarizing itself with the new analytical framework for compiling GFS. *Source: _cr0529 - 5.3 Assistance to users* ### 1. Assurances of integrity ### 1. Assurances of integrity ### Professionalism - Statistics are produced on an impartial basis; no evidence that data are not compiled on an impartial basis. - Impartial compilation and dissemination of GFS are not supported by specific laws, but professionalism is embedded in internal provisions of MoF and in the Law on Civil Service. - Choice and tenure of the compiling unit’s head are based on an independent process; possibility for interference is "highly limited." - Efforts to promote professionalism: - Sending staff to training courses abroad. - Contracting experts to provide on-the-job training. - Analytical work, publication of methodological papers, organization of lectures and seminars. - Research and analysis published in the Journal of Finance Accounting Audit of the MoF. - Professionalism is a key factor in recruitment and promotion as envisaged in the Law on Civil Service; Article 6 states equal access to civil service positions and promotion according to abilities and professional training. - The MoF is empowered to respond to misinterpretation and/or misuse of fiscal data by preparing and disseminating explanatory notes. ### Transparency - Legal framework: - The public has unimpeded access to the Law on the Budget System of the Republic of Belarus and State Extrabudgetary Funds. - Comprehensive terms and conditions under which the MoF collects, compiles, and disseminates GFS are not available to the public. - Internal access prior to release: - In principle, no agency outside MoF has access to data prior to publication, but this practice is not publicly announced. - The minister of the MoF authorizes release of GFS. - Selected officials in the MoF obtain fiscal data before other users as an internal procedure. - Identification of products: - All fiscal data products (hard copy and MoF web site) clearly identify the producing agencies and data sources. - Advance notice: - No advance notice is given to the public about major changes in methodology or other relevant changes that materially affect the GFS. - Explanatory notes are provided only when changes are introduced in publications. ### Ethical standards - Ethical guidance for staff: - Law on Civil Service in the Republic of Belarus and internal provisions about MoF staff functions and obligations. - Law requires civil servants to observe norms of business ethics, maintain confidentiality, and observe internal work regulations. - Contracts and enforcement: - All civil servants sign a contract on joining the civil service; contracts include references to ethical requirements and require renewal. - For MoF employees, the contract is renewed every three years; ethical standards are reviewed during renewal and taken into account for permanence and promotion decisions. - Article 22: civil servants prohibited from using materials and technical, financial, and information resources and state property for non official purposes. - Article 56: stipulates penalties (disciplinary, administrative, criminal, or other) for nonobservance of ethical standards. ### Methodological soundness - Concepts and definitions: - GFS concepts and definitions reported to the IMF are generally consistent with GFSM 1986. - Authorities have not prepared a plan to migrate from GFSM 1986 to GFSM 2001; migration expected once MoF management decides. - MoF has received technical assistance that included bridge tables between national source data and GFSM 2001 for functional and economic classifications. - Scope: - Scope of compiled GFS and operations of the budget system are incomplete; do not include all extrabudgetary operations such as innovations funds and extrabudgetary resources of budgetary units. - Both scopes are not completely in line with GFS methodology recommendations that call for statistics for the consolidated general government and subsectors. - Authorities are considering expanding coverage of GFS and the budget system. - For 2004, the budget includes the Social Protection Fund of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus, and all earmarked funds as stipulated by the Law in the 2004 Budget of the Republic of Belarus. - Institutional structure of consolidated general government: - Republican Budget: - Presidential Administration - Executive Branch: Council of ministers, Ministries, Earmarked budgetary funds, Social protection funds - Legislative Branch: Parliament - Judicial Branch: Supreme Court, Law Courts - Extrabudgetary Funds: - Innovations funds - Extrabudgetary resources of budgetary units - State extrabudgetary funds - Local Governments (at regional, district, town, and rural levels) - Earmarked funds: - Six earmarked funds: - (a) the Republican and Local Environmental Protection Funds - (b) the Republican and Local Highway Funds - (c) the State Employment Fund - (d) the Republican Energy Conservation Fund - (e) the Republican Fund for Support of Producer of Agricultural Goods and Food and Agrarian Science - (f) the Local Targeted Budget-Financed Housing and Investment Funds - Innovations funds: - Based on compulsory deductions of financial resources of state-owned legal entities. - Ruled by the Provision on the procedure of formation and use of innovations funds resources, approved by Resolution of Council of Ministers, No. 1346 of September 30, 2002, and the laws on annual budgets. - Extrabudgetary resources of budgetary units: - Funds subordinated to government ministries, agencies, and organizations. - Article 36 of the Law on the 2004 Budget provides list of ministries, committees, and organizations whose revenues from activities (sale of assets, provision of paid services) are not included in the Republican budget. - State extrabudgetary funds: - Covered by Article 37 of the Law on the Budget System of the Republic of Belarus and State Extrabudgetary Funds. - Creation and procedures established by the President of the Republic of Belarus (Article 37); resources are not part of budgets (Article 38); MoF should monitor these resources (Article 39). - In practice, no institution is classified under this category. - Local governments: - Six regional (oblast) and Minsk city governments - 118 districts (rayons) - 110 rayon-level cities and towns - 25 district in cities and towns - 101 semi-urban centers - 1,441 rural councils - 24,049 rural settlements - Presentation and tables: - MoF presentation closely follows the Summary Table of Major Components in GFSM 1986. - MoF disseminates tables for consolidated central government following formats of tables A, B, and C; tables D and E for financing by type of debt holder and debt instrument; tables on debt cover external and domestic debt; tables on local governments (table L) included in annual report. - Classification/sectorization: - Sectorization is not consistent with international standards because consolidated central government definition does not include all extrabudgetary accounts. - Budgetary classification established by Order of the MoF of Budget Classification (order No. 378 of December 27, 1999) includes codes for revenue, expenditures, and domestic and external financing. - Revenue classification categories: (a) current revenue; (b) capital revenue; (c) nonreturnable revenue; breakdowns by groups, types, items, sections, subsections. - Current revenue includes: (a) current tax revenue; (b) social security deductions; (c) current nontax revenue, and compulsory payments. - Capital revenue includes capital nontax revenues and compulsory payments. - Nonreturnable revenue comprises current and capital nonreturnable receipts (mainly transfers from international organizations, other levels of state administration, and grants). - Expenditure classification by function includes 22 functional categories; MoF also prepares expenditure classification by institution of approximately 143 public units (list includes NBRB). - Domestic financing classification categories: (a) resources received from the NBRB; (b) resources received from banks and other legal entities and individuals; (c) resources received from other sectors of state administration; (d) other sources of domestic financing; (e) proceeds from sale of property belonging to the state; (f) foreign exchange transactions; (g) change in budget balances. - External financing classification categories: (a) net credits of international organizations; (b) credits of foreign governments; (c) other resources of external financing; breakdown into use of credits and repayments. - Basis for recording: - Market prices: all cash transactions reflect actual prices; debt recorded at face value in accordance with GFSM 1986; amounts denominated in foreign currency converted to Belarusian rubel at official exchange rates provided by the NBRB. - Recording basis: revenue and expenditures are recorded on a cash basis for compilation of fiscal data; Accounting and Reporting Unit of the Treasury maintains records of expenditures in an “actual” basis (proxy for an accrual basis); all financing data, except arrears, are recorded on a cash basis, in line with GFSM 1986. - Grossing/netting: Most transactions shown on a gross basis, in line with GFSM 1986; tax refunds deducted from tax revenue; financing presented on a net basis. ### Accuracy and reliability - Source data: - Main data sources are administrative records for monitoring budget execution and debt management maintained in the Treasury, including the Accounting and Reporting Unit for budget execution and domestic financing, and the Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (controlled by the Department of Finance of External Relations and External Debt) for external financing. - Debt Management and Financial Analysis System developed using software provided by the United Nations. - Data sources cover detailed financial information on all budgetary units and extrabudgetary funds; provide information on some stocks and accounting information. - Data on domestic and external debt are shared with the NBRB. - Accounting and Reporting Unit has developed reports and formats that may be used for compilation of GFS under GFSM 2001. - Reporting process is under continuous review; reviews undertaken quarterly and annually by the Treasury; changes in presentation of financial information and budget execution are coordinated between reporting and compiling units. - Alignment with standards: - General budget classification for revenue, expenditure, and financing is broadly aligned with GFSM 1986 definitions, scope, classifications, valuation, and time recording. - Timeliness: - Data on execution of Republican budget and extrabudgetary data are available with a 15 days lag after the reference month. - Data for local government are available with a 14 days lag after the reference month. *Source: _cr0529 - 1. Assurances of integrity* ### 3.2 Assessment of source data ### 3.2 Assessment of source data ### Assessment of source data and verification procedures - Source data—including censuses, sample surveys and administrative records—are routinely assessed for coverage, sample error, response error, and nonsampling error; the results of the assessments are monitored and made available to guide statistical processes. - Some verification procedures are in place to assess the accuracy of the budget execution data and some additional resources are planned. - Controls in the administrative process developed by Treasury staff include review and revision of the data reported, and comparison of data reported with indicators prepared for this purpose in the Treasury. - The BPFAFD is only a user of this information. - The results of these reviews are monitored and made available to guide planning. - Generally, there is an appropriate balance between accuracy and timeliness in the production of data. - The BPFAFD publishes preliminary data as soon as completed; preliminary estimates are replaced with final data after audited accounts have been produced. - The status of the data used for each period is noted in the GFS publication. ### Statistical techniques - 3.3.1: GFS, including data on local governments, are based on comprehensive information; however, procedures have not been established to allow for estimation of missing data. - Budget execution reports are based on comprehensive information. - 3.3.2: Generally accepted statistical methods are used to adjust GFS. ### Assessment and validation of intermediate data and statistical outputs - 3.4.1: GFS for the central administration are based on the budget data. Intermediate budgetary data are validated against accounting data. - Banking statements are daily reconciled against the data prepared in this regard in the MoF. - Cross-checking with the NBRB on changes in deposits is performed every year. - The main statistical output of GFS are validated against other macroeconomic statistics. - 3.4.2: All discrepancies between GFS and intermediate budgetary data, and those between the intermediate budgetary data and accounting series, are investigated. - 3.4.3: Statistical discrepancies between the deficit/surplus and financing, and between financing and changes in gross debt are investigated and resolved to the extent possible. ### Revision studies - 3.5.1: No revision studies and analyses are prepared. --- ### 4. Serviceability ### 4.1 Periodicity and timeliness - 4.1.1: The Republic of Belarus has not adopted the recommendations of the SDDS, which establish that the annually general government aggregates, monthly central government aggregates, and quarterly central government debt should be disseminated. - Preliminary statistics for general government operations are disseminated annually and final statistics, monthly. - Statistics for consolidated budgetary operations are disseminated annually and monthly. - Periodicity of the data disseminated on the central and general government operations and central government debt exceed SDDS requirements. - Work has been initiated for SDDS subscription by the MoF. - 4.1.2: Annual/quarterly statistics for general government operations, monthly statistics for central government budgetary, and quarterly/monthly central government debt are released one month after the end of the reference period. - Breakdown of central government debt provided: domestic debt: loans, state bonds, and others; external debt: debt of the government, debt guaranteed by the government, and others. - External debt by maturity provided: short-term, medium, and long-term debt. ### 4.2 Consistency - 4.2.1: For GFS, statistical identities such as deficit/surplus = financing, major aggregates (revenue, expenditure, and financing = sum of the components), major aggregates of financing = sum of the domestic and external components, and major aggregates of central budgetary government debt = sum of the components, are observed. - For budget execution data, major aggregates (revenue, expenditure, and financing = sum of the components) are observed. - 4.2.2: Fiscal data are consistent with expected trends and reflect discretionary changes, external shocks, and developments of economic activity. - Breaks in the time series are identified and documented in reports attached to data disseminated through publications of the Minstat and through fiscal reports posted on the MoF’s web site. - 4.2.3: The overall deficit/surplus and financing present discrepancies owing to a complementary period which are taken into account for the compilation of fiscal data. - Article 19 of the Law on the Budget System of the Republic of Belarus and State Extrabudgetary Funds states that the accounting period includes the fiscal year and a grace (complementary) period of one month following the end of the reference fiscal year. - During this complementary period, the operations on obligations assumed in the execution of the budget of the preceding fiscal year are to be completed. - Operations above-the-line include payments carried out in January of the following year that belong to the previous fiscal year; operations below-the-line include payments carried out during the fiscal year from January to December. - Budget execution data of the MoF are the main source for the national accounts estimates for the government sector compiled by the Minstat. - Discrepancies between national accounts and GFS exist due to differences in data sources and institutional coverage; the national accounts use an accrual basis and include all extrabudgetary operations. - Efforts are made to reconcile monetary statistics with the GFS through annual coordination meetings between the NBRB and MoF, but improvements in this coordination are needed for a detailed reconciliation of banking sector transactions in the GFS with the monetary and financial statistics. - Changes in the Republican budget and local government budgets are cross-checked with deposits in depositary institutions. - Domestic debt is produced by Treasury and is reconciled with the NBRB. - Balance of payments statistics and GFS use the same data source produced by the Department of Finance of External Relations and External Debt in the MoF. - In consolidating general governments, transfers from the Republican budget to other levels of governments are fully reconciled. ### 4.3 Revision policy and practice - 4.3.1: GFS published for the first time are preliminary; final data are published following revisions. Generally, revised data are published in the next publication. Revisions are completed when all institutions provide revised data. This revision policy is not publicized. - 4.3.2: Preliminary and final data are adequately noted in publications; both are disseminated with the same detail and through the same media. - 4.3.3: No revision studies and analyses are undertaken. --- ### 5. Accessibility ### 5.1 Data accessibility - 5.1.1: Disseminated aggregates of fiscal data permit identification and comparison of major aggregates and balancing items, but detailed underlying data and time series are not presented. - Reports on the MoF’s web site do not present the coverage and detail set out in the GFSM 1986, though data are available for extensions in coverage and detail. - Presentation of fiscal data is made monthly on the MoF’s web site and in nominal terms. - The MoF report does not include charts and tables to facilitate analysis and commentaries on current period developments. - GFS are not disseminated in the MoF’s publications or on its web site. - 5.1.2: The Republic of Belarus reports GFS to the IMF for publication in the Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and International Financial Statistics, but these data are not publicly disseminated by the MoF. - The main statistical publication of the MoF is a table that will be used for SDDS subscription. - The budget data are published by the Minstat in four publications: (a) the Finance of Republic of Belarus (every five years, Department of Statistics of Finance); (b) the Social Economic Situation in the Republic of Belarus (monthly, includes some data analysis, but not publicly disseminated); (c) the Republic of Belarus in Figures (quarterly and annual); and (d) the Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Belarus. - 5.1.3: Fiscal data are disseminated according to a preannounced calendar. - 5.1.4: Fiscal data are available to all users simultaneously. - 5.1.5: Nonpublished, nonconfidential, disaggregated data are made available upon request; the availability of nonpublished data and the terms and conditions under which such data are made available are not publicized. ### 5.2 Metadata accessibility - 5.2.1: Documentation on concepts, scope, classifications, basis of recording, data sources, and statistical techniques for budget data are documented, but only part of this documentation is publicly available. - The same documentation is not prepared for GFS. - Neither bridge tables showing the links between source data and GFS nor differences from internationally accepted standards are prepared and annotated. - 5.2.2: GFS metadata are not accessible to users and detailed budget metadata are not accessible to users. ### 5.3 Assistance to users - 5.3.1: A contact person is identified and the name, email, and telephone number are included on the MoF’s web site; the MoF provides support in technical matters to users requesting assistance. - 5.3.2: The MoF’s web site presents a list of available publications. --- ### Table 4: Summary of Results for Government Finance Statistics (Compiling Agency: Minstat) - Key to symbols: NA = Not Applicable; O = Practice Observed; LO = Practice Largely Observed; LNO = Practice Largely Not Observed; NO = Practice Not Observed; SDDS = Complies with SDDS Criteria. - Selected assessment comments: - 0.1 Legal and institutional environment: Only an internal provision specifies responsibility for GFS collection and compilation. Dissemination is limited to the IMF, the Minstat, the NBRB, and other agencies. Budgetary data provided to the NBRB is not enough for reconciliation with monetary data. - 0.2 Resources: Limited staff resources involved in GFS compilation. Training in the GFSM 2001 is needed. Computer resources require to be updated, and funding needs to be increased. - 0.3 Relevance: User’s feedback is not regularly obtained and research to identify new data requirements is not undertaken. - 1.2 Transparency: Terms and conditions under which the MoF collects, compiles, and disseminates GFS are not available. Access to statistics prior to their release is not publicly identified. No advance notice is given to the public about major methodological changes. - 2.1 Concepts and definitions: A plan to migrate to GFSM 2001 has not been developed. - 2.2 Scope: Scopes of compiled GFS and budget system operations are incomplete as they do not include all extrabudgetary operations. - 3.5 Revision studies: No studies and analysis of revisions are carried out. - 4.2 Consistency: Comprehensive reconciliation with monetary data is not carried out. - 4.3 Revision policy and practice: Revision policy and practice are not publicized. - 5.1 Data accessibility: Fiscal data are presented in very aggregated formats by the MoF, though the Minstat disseminates more disaggregated fiscal data. Some fiscal data are disseminated on the MoF’s web site. No hardcopy publication is produced by the MoF. - 5.2 Metadata accessibility: Metadata for fiscal data are prepared and some is available. Metadata for GFS are neither prepared nor disseminated. --- ### Monetary statistics: prerequisites of quality (selected) - 0.1.1: The NBRB is the sole official agency in charge of the compilation of monetary statistics in the Republic of Belarus. - Governance: NBRB statistical responsibilities are governed by the Banking Code of the Republic of Belarus (Banking Code) of October 2000 and the Statute of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus of June 2001. - Proposed amendments to the Banking Code, expected to be enacted during the Spring 2004 session of the National Assembly, impose on the NBRB the obligation to disseminate to the public aggregated statistical and analytical information on the banking system of the Republic of Belarus. - Within the NBRB, responsibility for compiling monetary statistics rests with the Money and Credit Statistics Division (MCSD) of the Banking Statistics Department (BSD) of the NBRB; specific responsibilities are regulated by internal instructions. - 0.1.2: Statistical inputs are provided by the Accounting Department of the NBRB and by reporting banks, electronically, to the Computer Systems and Technology Department of the NBRB, where initial data processing takes place; processed inputs are transferred electronically to the BSD. - Data sharing and coordination with other agencies are based on the Banking Code; Article 36 states government agencies and the NBRB shall furnish each other statistical, analytical, and operational information required for proper performance of their functions. - A written agreement between the NBRB and the Minstat regulates their statistical collaboration; in preparing and disseminating data for possible SDDS subscription, the NBRB also coordinates with the MoF. - 0.1.3: Confidentiality is regulated by Article 122 of the Banking Code on bank secrecy; only staff of the MCSD have access to data of individual banks before aggregation and consolidation for publication. - 0.1.4: Article 34 of the Banking Code grants the NBRB the right to request from banks and nonbank credit and financial institutions information on all matters relating to their activity; Article 37 obliges banks and nonbank credit and financial institutions to furnish financial and economic information and documentation to the NBRB as prescribed; Article 120 requires banks to submit reports in the form, manner, and at the times prescribed by the NBRB. *Source: _cr0529 - 3.2 Assessment of source data* ### 0.2 Resources ### _cr0529 - 0.2 Resources ### 0.2.1 Staff, facilities, computing resources, and financing are commensurate with statistical programs - Staffing and qualifications - The BSD has 14 professional staff members, five of which are directly involved in compiling monetary statistics in the MCSD, and three are dealing with editorial and dissemination activities at the departmental level. - All MCSD staff have college degrees, either in economics or in economics and mathematics, with a capability in computer programming. - All except one staff member of the MCSD have participated in IMF and Central Bank of Russia training courses (Joint Vienna Institute and Tula training center). - The NBRB’s salary levels are the same as those of the top group of government agencies and favorably compare with those of the commercial banks (up to the mid-level of management). - A recent law equalized the status of NBRB staff with other civil servants, reducing the bonus threshold from up to 100 percent of basic salary to about 35 percent. - The NBRB is experiencing serious difficulty to retain qualified employees, in particular junior professionals; NBRB ranks within the domestic banking sector in terms of salary and benefits. - Workload and scope concerns - Over 150 other statistical presentations and data sets are regularly produced by the MCSD. - The MCSD has been charged with developing methodology and compiling data on gross value added in the banking sector. - A need is identified for management review in 2004 of MCSD activities to either reduce scope or increase staff resources to implement the new Standardized Report Form being developed by the IMF. - Computing resources - Computer resources are described as adequate: each staff member has a computer, is connected to the network, and units have Internet access. - Hardware is appropriately allocated; software resources are adequate and periodically modernized. - Reporting from banks is based on a specialized program PROCarry; individual staff apply Lotus 5 or Excel in their data work. ### 0.2.2 Measures to ensure efficient use of resources are implemented - Performance management and automation - Effective use of staff resources is promoted through annual individual performance assessment discussions. - The collection and processing of statistics is computerized and highly automated. - Automated processes permit compilation of analytical accounts of the monetary authorities on a daily basis, and analytical accounts of deposit money banks and the monetary survey on a weekly basis. - There appears to be a need to review the rationale for producing the additional data sets to streamline activities and find additional efficiencies. ### 0.3 Relevance - User engagement and feedback - The NBRB conducts quarterly meetings on directions of money and credit policy where official users can provide feedback on level of detail, periodicity, and timeliness. - Formal user surveys are not conducted; feedback is actively sought via a contact person and phone number in the Bulletin of Banking Statistics and on the NBRB’s web site (including email). - Data presentation formats are occasionally modified in response to users’ requests. ### 0.4 Other quality management - Quality focus and verification - NBRB management and senior staff focus on integrity, methodological soundness, accuracy and reliability, serviceability, and accessibility. - Procedures verify information at each stage of collection, processing, and dissemination. - The Computer Systems and Technology Department carries out preliminary consistency checks on statistical inputs. - The BSD works with the Accounting Department, the Balance of Payments Department, and other units to conduct data reconciliation. - Financial statements of the NBRB and commercial banks are audited by external audit companies. - Monitoring and validation - Quality control is performed through cross-checks and follow-ups by MCSD staff with other departments and reporting banks. - Validation procedures are undertaken visually on a bank-by-bank basis. - In the event of data revisions, past periods are revised accordingly to ensure time series consistency. - No external body outside the NBRB provides regular guidance on quality; recommendations from international organizations are actively sought and used. - Suggestions on improvements are provided ad-hoc by users. - Planning and incorporation of quality improvements - Quality issues are taken into account in work program planning; improvements identified through monitoring, user feedback, and international recommendations are incorporated whenever feasible. - Timeliness is a primary attention due to high periodicity, balanced with accuracy/reliability. - Automation permits adherence to a strict publication schedule without compromising data quality. - The data compilation system permits direct tracing of aggregates to individual accounts of the NBRB and commercial banks. ### 1. Assurances of integrity - Professionalism - Statutory provisions (paragraph 22 of the NBRB Statute) prevent governmental interference in NBRB activities within its authority. - Staff enjoy professional independence within usual hierarchical limits. - Professional competency is key in recruitment and promotion; staff have opportunities for external courses and on-the-job training. - Source and technique selection - Choices of sources and statistical methods are determined solely by statistical considerations. - NBRB staff ensure consistency of data sources, instruments, and methodology with national accounts, balance of payments, GFS, and international investment position. - Commenting on misuse - The NBRB’s spokesperson is authorized to comment on matters referring to NBRB activities, including statistics. - BSD monitors use and interpretation in the media; cases of misinterpretation are brought to the spokesperson. - Metadata and explanatory methodological notes are provided on the web site and in publications to prevent misuse. ### 1.2 Transparency - Public availability of terms and conditions - The Banking Code and the NBRB Statute are publicly available and posted in Russian and English on the NBRB’s web site. - A data release calendar and methodology descriptions are published in the Bulletin of Banking Statistics and posted on the web site. - Pre-release access and identification - No access is provided to statistical data prior to their release; a data dissemination policy statement is publicly available on the web site. - A note in the Bulletin and on the web site identifies the BSD as the producer of data. - The agreement between NBRB and Minstat requires referencing the data source when using shared data. - Advance notice of major changes - Advance notice of major methodological changes is given in the Bulletin of Banking Statistics. - Reasons for adjustments in time series are explained in comments to corresponding tables in the Bulletin. ### 1.3 Ethical standards - Code of conduct - A Code of Professional Ethics of the Employee of the NBRB was introduced in April 2003; each employee is required to know and follow this code. ### 2. Methodological soundness - Concepts and definitions - The analytical framework generally reflects concepts and definitions consistent with the Monetary and Financial Statistics Manual (MFSM). - Balance sheets of the NBRB and commercial banks broadly follow international accounting standards. - Central bank accounts are compiled and disseminated on the basis of the monetary authorities concept, augmenting balance sheet data to include government positions with the IMF. - Major aggregates of the broad money survey - net foreign assets of depository corporations, disaggregated into gross claims on and liabilities to nonresidents in convertible currencies and gross claims on and liabilities to nonresidents in nonconvertible currencies; - net domestic credit, disaggregated into net credit to general government (further disaggregated into claims on and liabilities to central government in national and foreign currencies, and claims on and liabilities to local governments in national and foreign currencies), claims on public nonfinancial corporations, claims on private sector, and claims on nonbank financial institutions; - other domestic assets (net), disaggregated into capital accounts and other assets (net); and - broad money, disaggregated into currency outside banks, transferable deposits, time deposits, foreign currency deposits, and securities included in broad money in national and foreign currencies. - Derived monetary aggregates - currency outside banks (M0); - narrow money (M1), comprising M0 plus transferable deposits in rubel; - money supply according to national definition (M2), comprising M1 plus time deposits in rubels; - rubel money supply (M2*), comprising M2 plus securities other than shares in rubels issued by banks; - broad money (M3), comprising M2* plus foreign currency transferable and time deposits, securities in foreign currency issued by banks, and deposits in precious metals of residents. ### 2.2 Scope - Institutional coverage - Institutional coverage includes monetary authorities (NBRB accounts augmented by government positions with the IMF), 30 operating commercial banks, and three banks in the process of liquidation. - NBRB data consolidate balance sheets of headquarters and six provincial branches; commercial banks’ data consolidate accounts of their headquarters and 469 branches. - There are no nonbank depository corporations in the Republic of Belarus; scope covers all depository corporations resident in the Republic of Belarus, consistent with MFSM guidelines. - Exclusions - No data are collected on operations of nondepository financial corporations (insurance companies, investment funds, other financial intermediaries, financial auxiliaries). - A financial corporations’ survey consolidating the accounts of the entire financial corporations sector is not compiled. ### 2.3 Classification/sectorization - Sectorization and instrument classification - Sectorization principles are satisfactorily consistent with the IMF’s MFSM and the 1993 SNA subsector distinctions. - NBRB sectoral groupings: (a) monetary authorities; (b) commercial banks; (c) nonbank financial institutions; (d) central government; (e) local governments; (f) public commercial enterprises; and (g) private sector. - Accounting records contain sufficient detail to cover the complete classification of financial instruments as categorized in the MFSM. - Deposits in financial corporations closed pending liquidation or reorganization are considered restricted deposits and excluded from money aggregates. - Nonresident units are distinguished based on the center of economic interest; there are no branches of foreign banks operating in the Republic of Belarus, and no Belarusian banks have branches abroad. - Notable deviations from MFSM - Beginning from January 2004, securities repurchase agreements (repos) are classified as collateralized loans rather than as outright sales of securities, in line with MFSM. - Contrary to MFSM standard, financial derivatives are considered off-balance sheet items and are excluded from monetary statistics. *Source: _cr0529 - 0.2 Resources (provided PDF content)* ### 2.4 Basis for recording ### 2.4 Basis for recording ### 2.4.1 Market prices are used to value flows and stocks - General MFSM recommendation: valuation of financial assets and liabilities should be based on market prices or, for instruments not traded or traded infrequently, on market-price equivalents (fair values). - Exception: loans are valued on creditors’ outstanding claims without adjustment for expected loan losses (book value = outstanding principal plus any accrued interest). - NBRB practice: - Loans: valued at book value and include the outstanding principal and interest accruals. - Provisions for loan losses: not netted out from gross loan values; recorded as other liabilities (consistent with MFSM). - Securities: valued at acquisition cost plus accrued interest (considered an acceptable approximation of fair market value). - Monetary gold: recorded at historic acquisition cost (transaction cost) and revalued at irregular intervals by management directives; most recent revaluation was as of January 1, 1999. - Decision taken to revalue gold at market prices in monetary statistics beginning with data for April 2004 and to revise historic time series accordingly. - Foreign currency positions: - MFSM: convert to national currency equivalents on basis of end-of-period mid-point market exchange rates. - NBRB: assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are revalued on a daily basis at official exchange rates established by the NBRB, which is a mid-point rate of the closing of the inter-bank market of the previous day. - Positions with the IMF: converted into rubel equivalents using the end-of-period SDR/US dollar exchange rate provided by the IMF and the NBRB’s rubel/US dollar exchange rate. ### 2.4.2 Recording is done on an accrual basis - MFSM guidance: transactions recorded on an accrual basis when economic value is created, transformed, exchanged, or extinguished; interest recorded continuously as a financial transaction and increases the underlying asset or liability. - NBRB practice: - Transactions recorded on an accrual basis consistent with MFSM. - Transactions recorded simultaneously between parties. - Accrued interest on deposits, loans, and securities is incorporated into the outstanding amount of the financial asset or liability (not treated as other accounts receivable/payable). - Analytical framework: - MFSM recommends a complete set of accounts linking opening and closing stocks through recording of transactions, revaluations, and other changes in volume of assets. - NBRB does not yet compile complete flow data; however, flow data on loans extended by banks and repayments received, classified by sector, are disseminated. ### 2.4.3 Grossing/netting procedures - MFSM guideline: data should be collected and compiled on a gross basis; netting applied only to some analytical survey categories and underlying gross data should also be shown. - NBRB practice: - Data derived automatically from detailed accounting balance sheets of the NBRB and commercial banks. - Compilation stages: - Stage 1: reorganize accounts into analytical groupings (detailed analytical balance sheets) — not subject to consolidation or netting adjustments; total assets/liabilities required to match accounting balance sheets. - Stage 2: aggregate into detailed surveys for NBRB and commercial banks — involves compiling several aggregates on a net basis (net foreign assets, net claims on central government, net claims on banks, net claims on the NBRB, and other items net); gross claims and liabilities underlying these net aggregates are also provided. - Stage 3: consolidated aggregated surveys of monetary authorities and commercial banks — aggregated surveys compiled in Stage 3 do not provide the gross components of items subject to netting and consolidation. *Source: _cr0529 - 2.4 Basis for recording* ### 3. Accuracy and reliability ### 3.1 Source data - Coverage and sources: - NBRB maintains a comprehensive and complete register of depository corporations; institutional and geographic coverage is complete. Other (nondepository) financial corporations are not included. - Broad money survey for the NBRB: based on detailed daily accounting balance sheet compiled by the NBRB’s Accounting Department covering all accounts of the NBRB. - Commercial banks: data compiled from a detailed consolidated balance sheet provided by the NBRB's Computer Systems and Technology Department. - Supplementary information collected from commercial banks when balance sheets lack details for instrument or sector classification (e.g., sectoral classification of deposits; breakdown between public and private enterprises). - All data derived from administrative sources; statistical estimation techniques are not used. - Positions with the IMF: initially included using NBRB’s rubel/SDR exchange rate, subject to subsequent revision based on monthly IMF Statistics Department information. - Approximations and deficiencies: - Source data reasonably approximate MFSM concepts, definitions, scope, classifications, and recording principles. - Deficiencies carried into outputs: - Valuation of gold at historic acquisition cost rather than end-of-period market prices. - Exclusion of financial derivatives as off-balance sheet items. - Timeliness of source data: - Daily data on NBRB’s balance sheet items provided the next day. - Commercial banks’ balance sheet data provided weekly within three working days. - Supplementary information from commercial banks available within four working days. - IMF data on positions with the IMF and the SDR/rubel exchange rate available with a lag of about three weeks. - NBRB practice: publish preliminary data for the most recent month within two weeks after the end of period and revise using IMF inputs in the next month. ### 3.2 Assessment of source data - Routine assessment: - Compilers routinely assess and modify administrative source data to improve statistical outputs (e.g., changes to charts of accounts and valuation principles). - Accuracy tested through formal consistency checks; out-of-trend values verified directly with reporting banks. ### 3.3 Statistical techniques - Compilation techniques: - Largely automated processes minimize processing time and errors (coding, editing, tabulating). - Nonresponse adjustments not required because all reporting banks comply with reporting requirements. - Other procedures: - Compilation fully based on administrative sources; statistical adjustments not carried out. - Consideration underway for statistical adjustments to revalue monetary gold at market prices. - No seasonal adjustments to monetary aggregates are carried out. ### 3.4 Assessment and validation of intermediate data and outputs - Validation: - Intermediate results routinely validated against other reports available to MCSD, Balance of Payments Department, and other NBRB departments. - Intermediate data analyzed for internal and intertemporal consistency. - Inconsistencies and unexplained large variations investigated through direct contacts with reporting banks. ### 3.5 Revision studies - Revisions assessment: - Revisions periodically assessed; preliminary data compared with final results to assess direction and magnitude. - Monthly revisions from differences between NBRB’s and IMF’s rubel/SDR exchange rates are insignificant. - Revision of end-of-year data following audit of NBRB annual balance sheet did not result in statistically significant data changes. *Source: _cr0529 - 2.4 Basis for recording* ### 4. Serviceability ### 4.1 Periodicity and timeliness - Periodicity: - Monetary statistics comply fully with SDDS periodicity requirements (monthly data on analytical accounts of the central bank and analytical accounts of the banking sector). - Timeliness: - Monetary authorities accounts and banking sector accounts disseminated with a lag of two weeks after the end of the accounting period. - This meets or—for analytical accounts of the banking sector—exceeds SDDS timeliness prescribed (two weeks and one month, respectively). ### 4.2 Consistency - Internal consistency: - Discrepancies between net reciprocal claims and liabilities of the NBRB and commercial banks over the last 15 months do not exceed 1.3 percent of the broad money. - Intertemporal consistency: - Classification changes lead to revisions for past periods as far back as possible (example: misclassification of credits to local governments revised beginning from November 2002). - Monetary statistics time series reasonably consistent and available on the NBRB’s web site since 2000; work ongoing to post time series since 1996. - Reconciliation with other frameworks: - Monetary data consistent with balance of payments and international investment position data (same banking sector foreign assets/liabilities source data), though methodological differences cause some differences in final outputs. - Example: monetary gold in balance of payments valued at end-of-period market prices, while monetary statistics use historic acquisition cost. - Consistency with government finance data routinely monitored and cross-checked (central government financing from monetary authorities); no comprehensive reconciliation of differences between monetary and fiscal data despite significant differences in commercial banks’ net claims on central government versus fiscal data. ### 4.3 Revision policy and practice - Schedule: - Monthly data considered preliminary and subject to revisions during one quarter after publication. - End-of-year data subject to revision during six month after publication. - Revision policy publicized on the NBRB’s web site. - Identification of preliminary/revised data: - Neither end-of-year data subject to audit revisions nor most recent month data subject to IMF input revisions are clearly marked as provisional in NBRB publications. - Revised data are not marked as such in NBRB publications. - Public revision studies: - Both monthly and annual data revisions do not result in statistically significant changes; therefore, no formal revision studies are disseminated. - Explanatory notes on reasons for revisions provided in footnotes to disseminated tables. *Source: _cr0529 - 2.4 Basis for recording* ### 5. Accessibility ### 5.1 Data accessibility - Presentation and formats: - Monetary statistics presented in balance sheet format for central bank and commercial bank accounts. - NBRB web site provides data, metadata, explanatory notes, calendar for preliminary data dissemination, and user-friendly tables with key indicators. - Bulletin of Banking Statistics contains aggregated and detailed tables and provides time series for the most recent two years. - Dissemination media: - Hard copy dissemination in the monthly Bulletin of Banking Statistics and bi-weekly Banking Magazine (Bankauski Vesnik) in Russian. - English edition of the Bulletin of Banking Statistics available on a quarterly basis. - Downloadable monetary data in Excel posted on the NBRB’s web site in Russian and English. - Release schedule: - Advance release calendar published in the Bulletin of Banking Statistics and posted on the NBRB’s web site; data released according to the announced schedule. - Equal access: - Access provided simultaneously to all users via NBRB’s web site and hard copy publications (Bulletin of Banking Statistics) released simultaneously; policy publicized on web site. - Nonroutine requests: - Unpublished and nonconfidential data made available free of charge upon request; policy publicized on web site. ### 5.2 Metadata accessibility - Documentation: - Methodological commentary in each issue of the Bulletin of Banking Statistics and on the NBRB’s web site covering concepts, definitions, classifications, and data sources. - SDDS-format metadata posted on the NBRB’s web site in Russian, including scope, periodicity, timeliness, accessibility, and reliability. - Information on accounting rules and basis for recording needs to be expanded. - Level of detail: - Methodological commentary in the Bulletin provides much more detailed descriptions of concepts and definitions than the SDDS metadata posted on the web site. *Source: _cr0529 - 2.4 Basis for recording* ### 5.3 Assistance to users ### _cr0529 - 5.3 Assistance to users ### 5.3 Assistance to users — summary findings - 5.3.1 Contact points for each subject field are publicized - The name and phone number for contact person is provided in the Bulletin of Banking Statistics. - Metadata posted on the NBRB’s web site provides the name, phone and fax numbers, and email address of the contact person for each data set. - 5.3.2 Catalogs of publications, documents, and other services, including information on any charges, are widely available - A list of NBRB’s publications is disseminated in the December issue of the Banking Magazine and is also available on the web site. - The NBRB’s web site provides users with considerable information about electronic and paper-based publications and documents. - The terms of subscription for the printed versions of the Bulletin of Banking Statistics and Banking Magazine are not publicized; they can be obtained at the contact telephone numbers and addresses indicated in each issue of these publications. ### Data Quality Assessment Frame (excerpt) - The frame indicates the DQAF element "5.3 Assistance to users" and marks practice as observed (symbol shown in the table). - Related assessment elements in the table (selected): - 0.1 Legal and institutional environment — marked in table. - 0.2 Resources — marked in table. - 0.3 Relevance — marked in table. - 0.4 Other quality management — marked in table. - 1.1 Professionalism — marked in table. - 1.2 Transparency — marked in table. - 1.3 Ethical standards — marked in table. - 2.3 Classification/sectorization — marked LNO with comment: "Financial derivatives are not included in monetary statistics (off-balance sheet)." - 2.4 Basis for recording — marked with comment: "Monetary gold is not valued at market prices." - 4.2 Consistency — comment: "Full reconciliation with GFS data not carried out." - 4.4 Revision policy and practice — comment: "Preliminary and revised data are not clearly identified; revision studies are not publicized." ### Balance of Payments statistics — major findings and practices - Legal and institutional environment - Responsibility for collecting, processing, and compiling balance of payments statistics is specified in Article 12 of the Statute of the NBRB (approved June 13, 2001, edict number 320). - NBRB role also confirmed in the Banking Code (passed October 3, 2000; approved October 13, 2000), Article 26. - A legal framework explicitly requiring dissemination of balance of payments statistics is not clearly defined, but Article 34 of the Constitution (adopted March 15, 1994) guarantees the right to receive information and the NBRB’s obligation to provide information on request. - Law resolution of the Council of Minister no. 784 (May 29, 2001) executing the Law on Information includes the NBRB among public entities required to provide information on request. - Data sharing and coordination - NBRB meets regularly with the State Customs Committee (SCC) and the Minstat to discuss conceptual and methodological issues for BOP compilation. - SCC provides Minstat with aggregates on export and import of goods under a protocol; Minstat provides NBRB monthly foreign trade data; BOPD compiles exports/imports according to BPM5. - Reconciliation facilitated by jointly designed customs and statistical declaration forms, discussed continuously with NBRB. - Effective and timely flow of input data from SCC, Minstat, MoF, and Ministry of Communication regulated by bilateral protocols signed by the Governor. - Inter-Agency Council on Balance of Payments Statistics established in 2000, headed by NBRB’s first Deputy Chairman. - A new Interagency Council of Statistics (2003), headed by the Deputy Prime Minister, has overall responsibility on conceptual and methodological issues related to macroeconomic statistics. The head of NBRB’s Balance of Payments and Banking Statistics Main Department is a member. - Participating agencies include NBRB, Minstat, Ministry of Economy, MoF, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Industry, and National Academy of Science of Belarus. - Confidentiality and statistical use - ITRS provision forms inform respondents that data are confidential at the single reporting agent level and collected for statistical purposes only; forms used only for compilation and dissemination of BOP aggregates. - NBRB receives some input data directly from certain companies (e.g., three energy enterprises) under bilateral protocols signed by the Governor stating data are confidential and used for statistical purposes. - Nondisclosure is referenced in NBRB’s Staff Code of Professional Ethic of Employees and the Balance of Payments Department’s Internal Procedures. - Data on enterprises’ financial account transactions are sent to NBRB by Minstat on an aggregated basis; Minstat’s form clarifies confidentiality and statistical use. - Reporting mandate and response encouragement - Reporting under the Republic of Belarus’s BOP data collection system is obligatory per law. - Article 34 of the Banking Code grants NBRB the right to request information from banks and nonbank credit and financial institutions on all matters related to their activity. - Law on State Statistics (1997) provides legal framework for collection from public and private nonfinancial enterprises (used by Minstat and NBRB). - Some data collection remains voluntary (e.g., survey on tourism; survey on retail import through domestic open markets for shuttle trade estimation). - Resources, staffing, and management - Balance of Payments Department structure: three divisions covering (a) current account, (b) financial account, (c) methodological issues; total of 16 staff members (including the department head). - Staff number considered sufficient in normal times, but SDDS-related developments (reserves template, external debt statistics, planned inclusion of financial derivatives) indicate need for ongoing international training and additional resources. - Recommendation supported for ongoing training and assessment of resource availability against current and near-future tasks. - Computing upgrade in 2003 provided more up-to-date computers; ITD assists BOP Department with database design, testing, implementation, and management. - Recent law aligned NBRB staff status with other civil servants, reducing managers’ ability to reward employees based on performance (previous bonus up to 100 percent of basic salary; current threshold about 35 percent). NBRB experiencing difficulty retaining qualified employees, particularly junior professionals. - Balance of Payments Department annually discusses working program and encourages staff input on resource allocation and priorities via meetings and annual performance reviews. - Relevance and user engagement - NBRB actively seeks official users’ views on relevance of BOP statistics through regular formal and informal meetings with MoF, Minstat, SCC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. - Inter-Agency Council of Statistics provides framework for involving official users in joint meetings. - In view of planned monetary union with Russia, BOP staff meet quarterly with Central Bank of Russia counterparts to discuss uses and users, and compile bilateral BOP starting from 2000 within an Interbank Working Group on Balance of Payments Methodological Issues (WGBP). - Discussions on BOP, IIP, and reserves asset issues conducted in Belarus-Russia Interbank Currency Board meetings. - BOP Department organizes seminars and lectures at Belarus State Economic University, maintaining communication with students and academic chairs to assess needs. - Other quality management and monitoring - Inter-Agency Council of Statistics provides framework for discussing quality issues. - Internal procedures assign BOP Department responsibility to monitor quality at each phase of statistical production; Computer System and Technology Department conducts preliminary consistency checks on inputs. - Quality of bilateral BOP with Russia discussed within WGBP, including analysis of bilateral asymmetries and ad hoc task forces to implement shared methodologies. - Managers are directly responsible for quality of statistics compiled in their areas. - ITRS data are checked for internal and logical consistency via automated validation rules; plausibility assessed using time series analysis and cross-dataset comparison. Incorrect entries trigger return to reporting bank for correction; Governor may write to banks to request immediate follow-up if necessary. - Parallel sources (ITRS and Minstat direct reporting) are compared and discussed to assess quality. - Level of errors and omissions is regularly reviewed. - Annual work program includes plans for statistical production, methodological issues, priorities, trade-offs, and resources; incorporates monitoring and periodic review findings from internal discussions, Inter-Agency Council, and WGBP. - Professionalism, impartiality, and dissemination - Law on State Statistics (1997), Article 3, states guiding principles: (a) objectivity and relevance; (b) intertemporal stability and consistency across datasets; (c) accessibility and transparency. - Staff recruited based on academic background; promotions regulated by performance. - NBRB has a dedicated training center and supports staff participation in IMF and other international seminars; BOP managers seek more opportunities for international training, including IMF courses for senior managers. - Staff encouraged to engage in academic activity (papers, articles, lecturing); BOP Department recognized for technical and academic expertise in external sector development and BOP conceptual issues. - The decision to center data collection on the ITRS is driven by NBRB’s close relation with domestic banks and exchange control system coverage of the majority of external transactions. - BOP statistics are disseminated solely on the basis of statistical considerations. - BOP Department proactively ensures correct interpretation of statistics via NBRB bulletins describing methodological changes, seminars with official and nonofficial users, and articles in specialized press. Example: in 2003 the Department organized meetings with Minstat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Sport and Tourism, and the Agency for Tourism to explain a new approach to collect and compile travel data. *Source: Excerpt from chapter/section _cr0529 - 5.3 Assistance to users* ### 1.2 Transparency ### _cr0529 - 1.2 Transparency ### 1.2 Transparency — Availability and access to statistical terms and procedures - Terms and conditions under which statistics are collected, processed, and disseminated are available to the public. - Relevant regulations supporting the collection of balance of payments statistics are mentioned in the appropriate forms. - ITRS forms reference the Banking Code, authorizing the NBRB to collect information from public and private agents on their cross border payments through domestic commercial banks. - Balance of payments statistics are checked and approved by NBRB’s managers the day before they are placed on the NBRB’s external web site, which occurs 90 days after the end of the reference quarter. - There is no prior disclosure of data outside the NBRB. ### 1.2 Transparency — Identification and dissemination of statistical products - All balance of payments statistics are disseminated with a clear indication about the NBRB’s responsibility in collecting and compiling the data. - Balance of payments statistics are disseminated on the NBRB’s web site and in NBRB publications including: - Balance of Payments Statistics - Quarterly Bulletin on Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Statistics - Bank Bulletin Magazine (monthly) - National Economic Gazette (issued twice a week) - Bulletin of Banking Statistics (monthly) - All these publications are clearly identifiable as NBRB’s products. ### 1.2 Transparency — Advance notice and user engagement - The Balance of Payments Department provides users with prior information on forthcoming changes in methodology, source data, and statistical techniques. - Such information is normally provided in the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Statistics. - When changes impact survey form design, the Balance of Payments Department organizes seminars with users and respondents to describe the scope of changes and educate on questionnaire completion. ### 1.3 Ethical standards - The NBRB’s Code of Professional Ethic of Employee (introduced in April 2003) is included in the informative package for new staff and sent to all NBRB staff whenever updates occur. - The Code clearly identifies norms of conduct and the general ethical framework to be followed in specific situations. ### 2. Methodological soundness — Concepts and definitions - Belarusian balance of payments mostly follows the concepts and definition set out in BPM5. - A recent development toward full compliance with BPM5 includes the definition of the foreign direct investment component in line with the 10 percent ownership rule. - The balance of payments compiled by the NBRB does not include the functional category of financial derivatives within the financial accounts. - The NBRB is engaged in discussing the possibility of collecting and compiling data on financial derivatives in 2004. - The Balance of Payments Department believes financial derivatives do not yet play an important role in the domestic financial market, based on regular assessments by the Main Department of International Transaction. ### 2.2 Scope — Coverage and special surveys - All resident-nonresident transactions are included in the balance of payments. - Data collection system: closed ITRS complemented by direct reporting and a set of estimations based on sound methodology. - Unincorporated branches are included among resident enterprises operating in the Republic of Belarus. - All registered enterprises are requested to report, on a quarterly basis, comprehensive statements covering foreign direct investment, portfolio investment, and other investment stock and flow data. - NBRB, in cooperation with the Minstat, designed a new methodology to improve coverage of shuttle trade relying on two surveys: - First survey: coverage of shuttle trade using the commodity flow model (conducted by the Minstat since 1996). - Second survey: additional information on shuttle trade based on structure of household expenditures related to purchases of imported goods on domestic open markets, complemented by direct observation on these open markets; enables estimation of a sizeable proportion of otherwise unrecorded shuttle trade. - In 2001 the approach to estimate import and export with the Russian Federation (accounting for some 50 to 60 percent of total merchandise trade) changed. - Prior approach: monthly survey of all enterprises engaged in foreign trade (failed to cover physical persons engaged in entrepreneurial activities). - Since April 2001: new survey collects data on trade with the Russian Federation based on statistical declaration forms that must be completed by all entities including individual entrepreneurs. ### 2.3 Classification/sectorization - Classification and sectorization used to compile balance of payments statistics are broadly consistent with BPM5’s conceptual framework. - Sector classification is ensured by mandatory inclusion of the transactor code in the ITRS form. - Government guaranteed external debt transactions are attributed to the institutional sector of the borrower; public enterprise claims and liabilities are attributed to other sectors. - Borrowing and lending between direct investors and direct investment enterprises are classified under foreign direct investment, except when between affiliated financial intermediaries. - Loan transactions of the banking sector are classified separately from currency and deposits transactions of this sector. - Under other investments, the breakdown into long- and short-term maturity component is made according to the original maturity of the financial instrument. ### 2.4 Basis for recording — Valuation and recording practices - Belarusian balance of payments statistics are compiled in U.S. dollars. - Data on transactions in foreign currency collected through the ITRS are converted using the midpoint exchange between buying and selling rates prevailing in the market on the transaction date (in line with BPM5 recommendations). - In 2003, the NBRB agreed to adopt the BMP5’s recommendation to value monetary gold at market prices. - Appropriate substitute measures and reporting instructions are used when no actual market prices are available (applies to barter trade data and transactions between affiliated enterprises). - Barter trade: collected through customs or statistical declarations with clear indication to value barter trade at a notional market value. - Portfolio investment flows of the banking sector are derived from stock data (changes in stocks between two reference periods). - Stock data are reported in the original currency; efforts are made to exclude valuation and other changes in the flow data. - Stock at the end of the period are converted at the exchange rates of the previous period. - Valuation changes are independently calculated and flow changes are derived as a residual. - Mission recommendation: flow changes should be calculated independently and valuation and other changes derived as residual. - Because stocks are in the original currencies, changes in stocks are equal to the flow changes. - These flow changes in the original currencies need to be converted at the average monthly exchange rates or the average exchange rate over the shortest period possible. ### 2.4 Basis for recording — Accrual basis and related recommendations - The change in ownership criterion is recognized as the basis for compiling the Belarusian balance of payments. - Customs and statistical declarations allow full implementation of the change of ownership criterion in trade in goods. - Borrowing under external public debt is valued on an accrual basis, based on detailed MoF information on characteristics of each loan contracted or guaranteed by the public sector. - Income accrued on the banking sector’s financial stocks (other than securities) and on public and publicly guaranteed external loans is calculated by applying income yield based on average market yield for different classes of securities and takes into account the specific structure of domestic entities’ portfolio investment assets. - Foreign direct investment dividends are recorded when they are paid. - Mission recommendations: - Consider establishing a methodology for compiling estimates of interest payments on nonguaranteed external debt on an accrual basis. - Income on banking sector holdings in securities should be calculated on an accrual basis. ### 2.4.3 Grossing/netting procedures - Current and capital account transactions are recorded on a gross basis (in line with BPM5 recommendations). - Financial account transactions are recorded separately for the individual asset and liability components. *Source: _cr0529 - 1.2 Transparency* ### 3.1 Source data ### 3.1 Source data ### Data collection system and institutional framework - Balance of payments statistics are compiled based on a comprehensive data collection system centered around the ITRS, a set of surveys, customs and statistical declarations obtained from the SCC, reporting from the MoF on external transaction of the general government, reports from the NBRB, and reports from all domestic enterprises engaged in cross-border financial transactions. - Given the legal and institutional framework in the Republic of Belarus, the balance of payments data collection system provides for sound coverage of domestic entities’ external transactions. - The Minstat has a business register covering some 12,000 active companies used for statistical purposes only. - Form 2 was introduced in 2000 following an IMF recommendation; the NBRB took an active role in developing Form 2. ### Goods - Two primary monthly sources compile merchandise trade: - Customs declarations collected by the SCC for trade with all partner countries apart from the Russian Federation. - Statistical declarations filled by all enterprises (including individual entrepreneurs) for trade with the Russian Federation, due to elimination of controls at the common border. - Minstat obtains data directly from single domestic companies where customs/statistical declarations raise quality concerns (example: potassium extraction and exports). - Three energy enterprises provide data on exports and imports (including barter trade) directly to the NBRB. - Minstat’s survey on the commodity structure of households’ expenditure in import goods sold in domestic open markets, together with NBRB direct observations, are used to integrate Minstat’s estimation on shuttle trade based on the commodity flow model. ### Services - As a general rule, import and export in services are collected through the ITRS, with exceptions: - Transport, communication, construction, and oil refinery services are compiled by enterprises based on the Report on Export and Import of Service (Form 3) sent by the Minstat. - Passenger and freight transport data: Form 3 completed by Belarusian railways and the airlines; data are provided to the NBRB on a quarterly basis. - Travel credit and debit data: estimated from yearly surveys on country breakdown of travelers, adjusted by a coefficient of increase/decrease of tourism flows, and allocated to quarters of the subsequent year using Minstat seasonal coefficients; compared with NBRB net sales of foreign exchange and ITRS data. - Monthly communication services data for credits and debits: Form 3 sent to the NBRB by the Ministry of Communication. - Export of construction services: supplied monthly by one company using Form 3; used to check ITRS and as main source where barter trade is relevant. - Form 3 data on processing of crude oil imported from the Russian Federation and exported to third countries as finished product are provided monthly. - Government receipts for operation of foreign embassies: estimated from Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ data on total number of staff multiplied by NBRB’s estimates on per capita expenditure; annual expenditure of Belarusian embassies provided to the NBRS. - ITRS data are always used as a checking tool even when other primary sources are used. - Insurance services: calculated based on ITRS data on credits and debits separately for premiums and claims; export of services estimated by multiplying premium received by a coefficient based on an average difference between insurance’s claims to nonresidents less premium paid from nonresident. ### Income - Compensation of employees: inflows and outflows calculated from data on individuals crossing the border for temporary jobs from the SCC (outflow) and from the Russian Federation and Ukraine (inflows); NBRB calculates average remittance based on estimations on average stay and salary, and a coefficient of transfer. - Direct investment income: estimated from surveys of foreign direct investment via Minstat’s Form 2; enterprises required to report reinvestment of earnings on the basis of BPM5 recommendation (including depreciation, but excluding sale of assets, write-offs, and realized capital gains and losses less dividends and distributed profits). Form 2 does not specify that distributed income needs to be prorated by the direct investor’s share. - Mission recommendation: Form 2 should clearly specify that distributed income have to be provided in accordance with the direct investor’s share in the direct investment company. - Portfolio investment income: derived from the ITRS with separate codes to distinguish between income on equity and income on debt securities. ITRS does not distinguish income on bonds and notes from income on money market instruments. - Mission recommendation: introduce separate codes in the ITRS to identify income on bonds and notes, and income on money market instruments. - Other investment income: - Monetary authorities: data provided by the NBRB. - General government: calculated on the basis of the MoF’s comprehensive database on external debt. - Banking sector: Balance of Payments Department uses a model based on structure of foreign assets and liabilities of commercial banks from monthly balance sheets. - Other sectors: MoF provides debit data on interest payments for loans guaranteed by the government; supplemented by NBRB’s data on interest payments on unguaranteed debt and loans on accounts held abroad reported monthly on a cash basis. ### Current transfers and other capital transfers - General government: - Current transfers in kind (humanitarian aid and technical assistance) calculated from customs and statistical declarations. - Current transfers using the banking system obtained from the ITRS. - Separate codes in the ITRS for capital transfers of the general government sector. - Workers’ remittances: derived from the ITRS; Balance of Payments Department assumes remittances from non-CIS countries are likely to use remittances rather than cash. - Other current transfers: ITRS provides separate codes for items including financial gifts, fees and contributions to scientific, charitable and religious organizations, and payments of taxes and penalties. - Other sector: ITRS provides separate codes for capital transfers to/from the banking sector and other sectors. - Migrants’ transfers: derived from a model using data on number of migrants entering or leaving Belarus multiplied by average value of migrants’ effects; SCC data on available effects used to establish a benchmark adjusted for foreign exchange rates and prices. - Acquisition/disposal of nonproduced nonfinancial assets: data derived from the ITRS. ### Financial account - Direct investment: quarterly flows and stocks collected by Minstat through Form 2; Minstat sends Form 2 to all active companies for the subsequent four quarters; companies not involved in foreign direct investment inform Minstat and do not have to fill Form 2. - Central Bank of the Russian Federation provides NBRB with information on direct investment stocks and flows from one company active in gas extraction and distribution. - Portfolio investments: main sources are reports from banks, Form 2, and NBRB records for NBRB portfolio investment transactions; ITRS used as alternative checking source. - Other investment: - Trade credits and arrear assets/liabilities provided by Minstat based on Report on Claims and Liabilities of Enterprises (Form 6-f). - Three energy enterprises report other investment transactions directly to the NBRB. - Assets and liabilities data on foreign loans of general government and loans guaranteed by the government (together covering approximately 20 percent of total outstanding foreign debt liabilities of the nonbanking sector) provided by the MoF. - Commercial banks report monthly balance sheets to the NBRB. - Data on unguaranteed loans compiled from NBRB’s survey form Foreign Exchange Accounts Held Abroad by Residents for “Unguaranteed” Debts Transactions. - Currency and deposits: assets and liabilities data obtained from monthly balance sheets reported by commercial banks to the NBRB. - Other assets and liabilities: transactions regarding arrears owed to (by) Belarus collected by Minstat in Form 6-f for all companies except the three energy enterprises. - Reserves assets: transactions calculated from NBRB records; functional category of monetary authorities includes central bank and certain operations of the general government (example: proceeds of sale of government’s participation in a joint venture settled in foreign exchange and owned by the government as foreign exchange deposits placed with the NBRB are included as part of reserve assets). ### Timeliness, assessment, and validation - Source data are timely: data collection and processing timetables are adequate to meet timeliness and periodicity for disseminating balance of payments statistics. - Reporting forms (ITRS, Forms 2 and 3) include communicated deadlines; NBRB employs rigorous follow-up procedures and monitors delays in ITRS returns, contacting commercial banks immediately when delays occur. - Source data reasonably approximate BPM5 definitions, scope, classifications, valuation, and time of recording; information on external debt from the MoF is broadly in line with BPM5 recommendations. - Routine assessment and checks: - Each ITRS report is checked for correct reporting; the NBRB data reception system prevents entry of inconsistent sub-items and totals and checks time series plausibility at each reporting commercial bank level. - Recurrent use of residual categories is monitored and banks are contacted for explanations. - Form 2 data are checked for consistency and plausibility at each of the three administrative levels of local administration in Minstat. - Statistical techniques and adjustments: - Appropriate measures when value of uncoded ITRS transactions below threshold becomes too large. - Specific procedures developed to adjust data to improve coverage, classification, valuation, and conform to BPM5. - c.i.f./f.o.b. factor for valuing imports is estimated each five years using ITRS and customs/statistical declaration information, done for similar categories of goods and country of origin/destination. - Travel data estimation: NBRB collects border structure of travelers (country, purpose, average length of stay) compiled jointly with Ministry of Sport and Tourism and Ministry of Foreign Affairs; NBRB manages methodology, survey design, coordination, and average expenditure estimates. - Shuttle trade estimates: based on periodic surveys at major border points and extrapolation from monthly volume of shuttle traders identified by customs and immigration authorities; methodology based on (a) commodity flow model and (b) household expenditure survey on import goods sold in open markets. - Commodity flow model compares imports, local production, changes in stocks, and consumption; differences are recorded under recorded export or adjusted recorded import by Minstat. - Import-side estimations use monthly household expenditure survey, share of purchases in domestic open markets referring to imported goods, exclusion of legally declared imports, and application of a coefficient of profitability (average discount on open market compared to formal retail sales). - Export-side estimations use customs surveys on shuttle trade for goods not included in the commodity flow model. - Intermediate validation and reconciliation: - Intermediate results checked across a wide range of sources; Form 2 checked against financial press reports for high-value direct investment transactions. - Reported financial flow data reconciled with changes in corresponding stock data for external debt and international investment position elements. - Balance of Payments Department monitors errors and omissions continuously; focus on causes of errors/omissions led to introducing the shuttle trade survey. - NBRB undertakes regular quarterly exercises to assess and reconcile bilateral balance of payments data with the Russian Federation during bilateral meetings. *Source: _cr0529 - 3.1 Source data* ### 3.5 Revision studies ### 3.5 Revision studies ### Overview - 3.5.1 Studies and analyses of revisions are carried out routinely and used internally to inform statistical processes. - Revisions, in particular in the trade statistics, are constantly monitored and discussed in bilateral meetings between the NBRB and the Minstat. ### Practices and monitoring - Revisions in trade statistics: - Are constantly monitored. - Are discussed in bilateral meetings between the NBRB and the Minstat. - Revisions are measured, assessed, and explained in the regular balance of payments publications. - Ad hoc tables showing the difference between preliminary and revised data are disseminated for the trade in goods item. ### Revision policy and schedule (as described in the NBRB’s Quarterly Balance of Payments Bulletin) - Regular revisions: - Are included in the balance of payments each quarter and can affect data up to four quarters. - Are caused mainly by routine revisions to source data, as reported by respondents. - Annual methodological and trade-data revisions: - Revisions due to methodological changes, and following the yearly revisions on trade data by the Minstat, are published in the first quarter of each year. ### Identification and transparency of revisions - The revision calendar is clearly disseminated and includes information on the time frame for revisions according to different reasons. - However, the data presented in the tables do not allow for visual distinction between preliminary, revised, and final data. - Disseminated tables do not distinguish between preliminary, revised, and final data (as noted elsewhere in the assessment). ### Public communication of revision analyses - Studies and analyses of revisions are made public: - Revisions are discussed and explained in regular balance of payments publications. - Ad hoc difference tables for preliminary vs. revised trade in goods are disseminated. ### Related metadata and methodological documentation (implications for users) - The Balance of Payments Department provides methodological articles and explanatory notes in the Quarterly Balance of Payments Bulletin, but: - These articles target nonspecialized users and the level of detail is not sufficient to assess exact methodological impacts, assumptions, or review processes. - Users must consult different issues of the Quarterly Balance of Payments Bulletin to obtain a complete picture of methodology. - Recommendation contained in the source: - The Balance of Payments Department should consolidate the existing information into one single methodological compendium and regularly update it. - The mission recommends that this forthcoming methodological compendium be posted on the web site. *Source: _cr0529 - 3.5 Revision studies* ### 3.1 Source data – Source data ### _cr0529 - 3.1 Source data – Source data ### Source data and statistical techniques - Source data provide an adequate basis to compile statistics. - 3.1.3 Source data are timely. - 3.2 Assessment of source data—Source data are regularly assessed. - 3.2.1 Source data—including censuses, sample surveys, and administrative records—are routinely assessed, e.g., for coverage, sample error, response error, and nonsampling error; the results of the assessments are monitored and made available to guide statistical processes. - 3.3 Statistical techniques—Statistical techniques employed conform to sound statistical procedures. - 3.3.1 Data compilation employs sound statistical techniques to deal with data sources. - 3.3.2 Other statistical procedures (e.g., data adjustments and transformations, and statistical analysis) employ sound statistical techniques. - 3.4 Assessment and validation of intermediate data and statistical outputs—Intermediate results and statistical outputs are regularly assessed and validated. - 3.4.1 Intermediate results are validated against other information where applicable. - 3.4.2 Statistical discrepancies in intermediate data are assessed and investigated. - 3.4.3 Statistical discrepancies and other potential indicators or problems in statistical outputs are investigated. - 3.5 Revision studies—Revisions, as a gauge of reliability, are tracked and mined for the information they may provide. - 3.5.1 Studies and analyses of revisions are carried out routinely and used internally to inform statistical processes (see also 4.3.3). ### Quality dimensions: periodicity, consistency, revisions - 4.1 Periodicity and timeliness—Periodicity and timeliness follow internationally accepted dissemination standards. - 4.1.1 Periodicity follows dissemination standards. - 4.1.2 Timeliness follows dissemination standards. - 4.2 Consistency—Statistics are consistent within the dataset, over time, and with major datasets. - 4.2.1 Statistics are consistent within the dataset. - 4.2.2 Statistics are consistent or reconcilable over a reasonable period of time. - 4.2.3 Statistics are consistent or reconcilable with those obtained through other data sources and/or statistical frameworks. - 4.3 Revision policy and practice—Data revisions follow a regular and publicized procedure. - 4.3.1 Revisions follow a regular and transparent schedule. - 4.3.2 Preliminary and/or revised data are clearly identified. - 4.3.3 Studies and analyses of revisions are made public (see also 3.5.1). ### Dissemination, metadata, and user assistance - 5.1 Data accessibility—Statistics are presented in a clear and understandable manner, forms of dissemination are adequate, and statistics are made available on an impartial basis. - 5.1.1 Statistics are presented in a way that facilitates proper interpretation and meaningful comparisons (layout and clarity of text, tables, and charts). - 5.1.2 Dissemination media and format are adequate. - 5.1.3 Statistics are released on a preannounced schedule. - 5.1.4 Statistics are made available to all users at the same time. - 5.1.5 Statistics not routinely disseminated are made available upon request. - 5.2 Metadata accessibility—Up-to-date and pertinent metadata are made available. - 5.2.1 Documentation on concepts, scope, classifications, basis of recording, data sources, and statistical techniques is available, and differences from internationally accepted standards, guidelines, or good practices are annotated. - 5.2.2 Levels of detail are adapted to the needs of the intended audience. - 5.3 Assistance to users—Prompt and knowledgeable support service is available. - 5.3.1 Contact points for each subject field are publicized. - 5.3.2 Catalogs of publications, documents, and other services, including information on any changes, are widely available. ### Republic of Belarus — Users’ Survey (methodology and participation) - Survey conducted with the assistance of Belarusian authorities and the IMF’s Resident Representative in Minsk to evaluate national accounts, prices, fiscal, monetary, and balance of payments statistics. - Questionnaires sent to 59 users; 37 responses received — 63 percent. - Respondent types and response rates: - Ministries and state agencies: 9 sent, 7 received — 78 - Banks: 12 sent, 7 received — 58 - Information and other agencies: 8 sent, 6 received — 75 - Universities and institutes: 6 sent, 5 received — 83 - Representative offices: 5 sent, 3 received — 60 - Embassies: 9 sent, 3 received — 33 - Enterprises and non specify: 10 sent, 6 received — 60 - Total: 59 sent, 37 received — 63 ### Users’ survey key findings (questionnaire analysis) - Usage and sources - Official statistics are regularly used by two thirds of the respondents. - Price statistics used by 81 percent. - Monetary statistics used by 73 percent. - Balance of payments used by 54 percent. - Almost all users (95 percent) obtain statistics from official releases and publications. - About 40 percent use private sector summaries and analysis. - Most users (89 percent) refer to official descriptions of sources and methodologies. - Purposes for use - General economic background: 86 percent. - Forecasting and econometric studies: 57 percent. - Coverage and level of detail - Over three quarters satisfied with coverage overall. - Coverage satisfaction by dataset: - Balance of payments: 86 percent. - National accounts: 82 percent. - Government finance statistics: 64 percent. - Level of detail satisfaction overall: about 70 percent. - Balance of payments detail: 82 percent. - Government finance detail: 55 percent. - Periodicity and timeliness - Periodicity satisfaction overall: 94 percent. - National accounts periodicity: 100 percent. - Price statistics periodicity: 89 percent. - Timeliness satisfaction overall: close to 80 percent. - Monetary statistics timeliness: over 90 percent. - National accounts timeliness: less than two thirds satisfied. - Advance release calendar (ARC) - Over 55 percent aware of existence of an ARC. - ARC awareness for national accounts: two thirds. - ARC awareness for government finance statistics: less than half. - Reliability of ARC: about two thirds consider data usually released according to ARC. - Price statistics release reliability: 74 percent. - Government finance statistics release reliability: 53 percent. - Revision practices and accessibility - Satisfaction with information on revisions: 45 percent. - Revisions information for national accounts: 53 percent satisfied. - Revisions information for government finance statistics: 35 percent satisfied. - Data access: over three quarters find official statistics easily accessible. - Monetary and balance of payments most accessible: over 80 percent. - Government finance statistics accessibility: about 60 percent. - Access to methodologies: 60 percent consider metadata access easy. - Metadata access for monetary statistics: 70 percent. - Metadata access for government finance statistics: 53 percent. - Clarity of methodological information: less than half (45 percent) consider descriptions not sufficiently clear and detailed. - Sources of official statistics: about two thirds access in hard copy publications, one third electronically. - Methodological soundness and accuracy - Close to three quarters consider underlying methodology sound and appropriate. - Balance of payments methodology satisfaction: over 80 percent. - National accounts methodology satisfaction: 55 percent. - About 60 percent consider official statistics unbiased and accurate. - Monetary and balance of payments accuracy: over two thirds consider accurate. - National accounts unbiased: only 42 percent consider unbiased. - Quality compared to other countries in the region: about 70 percent consider it about the same. - Overall assessment and user concerns - Overall quality considered slightly above average. - Highest ratings: monetary statistics. - Lowest ratings: national accounts and government finance statistics. - Key user concerns: - Bring national accounts methodology fully in line with international standards. - Improve accuracy and reliability of government finance statistics. - Establish revision policy for all national statistical institutions. - Distortions in national accounts and production indices attributed to enterprise-level overstatements driven by targets. - Need to improve statistical staff qualifications and adherence to professional ethics. - Users report insufficient advance notice of major changes in methodology, source data, and statistical techniques. - Perceptions of manipulation and lack of trust in some government statistics; frequent revisions seen as indicating unreliability. - Desire for shorter timeliness for national accounts and balance of payments. - Concerns about consistency of national accounts, government finance, and monetary statistics. - Revision policy criticized for lack of transparency; access to revised data considered difficult. - Difficulties accessing data and metadata for national accounts, prices, and government finance statistics. - Dissatisfaction that NBRB is disseminating balance of payments statistics only in hard copy instead of posting on its web site. ### Selected tabulated responses (high-level) - Questionnaires sent out: 59 - Responses (excl. not applicable): 37 — 63 - Uses of official macroeconomic statistics (Total Percentage reported) - National Accounts: 65 - Prices: 81 - Government Finance Statistics: 65 - Monetary and Financial Statistics: 73 - Balance of Payments: 54 *Source: _cr0529 - 3.1 Source data – Source data* ### 5.1 Is the coverage of these statistics satisfactory? 89 27 77 23 ### _cr0529 - 5.1 Is the coverage of these statistics satisfactory? 89 27 77 23 ### Coverage and level of detail (Section 5.1–5.2) - Overall responses to "Is the coverage of official statistics satisfactory?": - Total Yes: 89 - Total No: 27 - Total Yes percent: 77 - Total No percent: 23 - By dataset (coverage satisfactory — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 18 / 4 / 82 / 18 - Prices: 18 / 7 / 72 / 28 - Government Finance: 14 / 8 / 64 / 36 - Monetary Statistics: 20 / 5 / 80 / 20 - Balance of Payments: 19 / 3 / 86 / 14 - Overall responses to "Is the level of detail provided by these statistics satisfactory?": - Total Yes: 82 - Total No: 37 - Total Yes percent: 69 - Total No percent: 31 - By dataset (level of detail satisfactory — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 14 / 10 / 58 / 42 - Prices: 19 / 7 / 73 / 27 - Government Finance: 12 / 10 / 55 / 45 - Monetary Statistics: 19 / 6 / 76 / 24 - Balance of Payments: 18 / 4 / 82 / 18 ### Periodicity and timeliness (Section 6.1–6.2) - Overall responses to "Is the frequency ... satisfactory?": - Total Yes: 109 - Total No: 7 - Total Yes percent: 94 - Total No percent: 6 - By dataset (frequency satisfactory — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 26 / 0 / 100 / 0 - Prices: 24 / 3 / 89 / 11 - Monetary Statistics (first line): 18 / 2 / 90 / 10 - Monetary Statistics (second line): 21 / 1 / 95 / 5 - Balance of Payments: 20 / 1 / 95 / 5 - Overall responses to "Is the timeliness ... satisfactory?": - Total Yes: 86 - Total No: 24 - Total Yes percent: 78 - Total No percent: 22 - By dataset (timeliness satisfactory — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 14 / 8 / 64 / 36 - Prices: 20 / 5 / 80 / 20 - Government Finance: 16 / 5 / 76 / 24 - Monetary Statistics: 21 / 2 / 91 / 9 - Balance of Payments: 15 / 4 / 79 / 21 ### Dissemination practices and release calendars (Section 7.1–7.3) - Overall responses to "Is there a publicly disseminated calendar?": - Total Yes: 52 - Total No: 51 - Total Yes percent: 50 - Total No percent: 50 - By dataset (calendar known — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 14 / 7 / 67 / 33 - Prices: 13 / 11 / 54 / 46 - Government Finance: 10 / 11 / 48 / 52 - Monetary Statistics: 15 / 10 / 60 / 40 - Balance of Payments: 0 / 12 / 0 / 100 - Overall responses to "Are statistics released on announced dates?": - Total Yes: 55 - Total No: 29 - Total Yes percent: 65 - Total No percent: 35 - By dataset (released on dates announced — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 12 / 5 / 71 / 29 - Prices: 14 / 5 / 74 / 26 - Government Finance: 8 / 7 / 53 / 47 - Monetary Statistics: 12 / 5 / 71 / 29 - Balance of Payments: 9 / 7 / 56 / 44 - Overall responses to "Is there enough information about revisions?": - Total Yes: 41 - Total No: 50 - Total Yes percent: 45 - Total No percent: 55 - By dataset (revisions information sufficient — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 9 / 8 / 53 / 47 - Prices: 9 / 11 / 45 / 55 - Government Finance: 6 / 11 / 35 / 65 - Monetary Statistics: 9 / 10 / 47 / 53 - Balance of Payments: 8 / 10 / 44 / 56 ### Accessibility and methodological information (Section 8.1–8.3) - Overall responses to "Are official statistics easily accessible?": - Total Yes: 93 - Total No: 29 - Total Yes percent: 76 - Total No percent: 24 - By dataset (accessible — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 19 / 5 / 79 / 21 - Prices: 22 / 5 / 81 / 19 - Government Finance: 14 / 9 / 61 / 39 - Monetary Statistics: 21 / 4 / 84 / 16 - Balance of Payments: 17 / 6 / 74 / 26 - Overall responses to "Can you get easy access to explanatory notes and methodological descriptions?": - Total Yes: 65 - Total No: 43 - Total Yes percent: 60 - Total No percent: 40 - By dataset (methodology access — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 14 / 8 / 64 / 36 - Prices: 14 / 10 / 58 / 42 - Government Finance: 10 / 9 / 53 / 47 - Monetary Statistics: 16 / 7 / 70 / 30 - Balance of Payments: 11 / 9 / 55 / 45 - Responses to "Is the above information on methodology clear and adequate?": - Yes: 11 - No: 13 - No opinion: 5 - How users get access to official statistics (format): - Hard copy (official releases, hard copy publications, and data specifically requested): 87 (65 percent) - Electronic form (official web site, email requests, and others): 47 (35 percent) ### Methodology soundness, accuracy, and comparative quality (Section 9.1–9.4) - Overall responses to "Is the underlying methodology sound and appropriate?": - Total Yes: 51 - Total No: 37 - Total Yes percent: 58 - Total No percent: 42 - By dataset (methodology sound — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 11 / 9 / 55 / 45 - Prices: 13 / 6 / 68 / 32 - Government Finance: 11 / 3 / 79 / 21 - Monetary Statistics: 16 / 4 / 80 / 20 - Balance of Payments: 0 / 15 / 0 / 100 - Overall responses to "Do you consider the official statistics to be unbiased and accurate?": - Total Yes: 58 - Total No: 41 - Total Yes percent: 59 - Total No percent: 41 - By dataset (unbiased and accurate — Yes / No / Yes percent / No percent): - National Accounts: 8 / 11 / 42 / 58 - Prices: 10 / 10 / 50 / 50 - Government Finance: 10 / 7 / 59 / 41 - Monetary Statistics: 16 / 6 / 73 / 27 - Balance of Payments: 14 / 7 / 67 / 33 - Comparative quality of the country with others in the region (9.3 — Better / Same / Worse; percent Better / Same / Worse): - Total: 15 / 67 / 13 → 16 / 71 / 14 - National Accounts: 2 / 13 / 3 → 11 / 72 / 17 - Prices: 3 / 14 / 4 → 14 / 67 / 19 - Government Finance: 2 / 12 / 3 → 12 / 71 / 18 - Monetary Statistics: 4 / 14 / 2 → 20 / 70 / 10 - Balance of Payments: 4 / 14 / 1 → 21 / 74 / 5 - Overall quality ratings (9.4) — counts by rating (1 to 5): - Total: 1 / 17 / 27 / 54 / 15 - National Accounts: 0 / 7 / 5 / 8 / 3 - Prices: 1 / 3 / 8 / 12 / 2 - Government Finance: 0 / 5 / 5 / 9 / 2 - Monetary Statistics: 0 / 1 / 4 / 13 / 5 - Balance of Payments: 0 / 1 / 4 / 13 / 5 - Overall quality ratings (9.4) — percentages by rating (1 to 5): - Total: 0.9 / 14.9 / 23.7 / 47.4 / 13.2 - National Accounts: 0.0 / 30.4 / 21.7 / 34.8 / 13.0 - Prices: 3.8 / 11.5 / 30.8 / 46.2 / 7.7 - Government Finance: 0.0 / 23.8 / 23.8 / 42.9 / 9.5 - Monetary Statistics: 0.0 / 4.3 / 17.4 / 56.5 / 21.7 - Balance of Payments: 0.0 / 4.8 / 23.8 / 57.1 / 14.3 ### Questionnaire structure (selected) - The user questionnaire collects: - Section A: datasets used (NA, Prices, GFS, Monetary, Balance of Payments, other), sources, use of methodological descriptions, purposes of use. - Section B: quality aspects covering coverage, detail, periodicity, timeliness, dissemination practices, accessibility, methodology clarity, overall assessment, and additional comments. *Source: Table 8b–8e and Questionnaire (Appendix III) from the provided content unit.* --- _Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/scr/2005/_cr0529.pdf_