## _cr13118 — Executive Summary and Evaluation Findings (STA evaluation mission report for FYRM, September 26–October 2, 2012)

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### Mission purpose, scope, and methods
- Mission timing: September 26–October 2, 2012.
- Main aims:
  - Elicit authorities’ and stakeholders’ views on the effectiveness of STA TA and training and how these could be improved.
  - Discuss TA and training priorities with the authorities for the period ahead.
  - Discuss outstanding issues related to data reporting to the IMF.
- Scope of evaluation:
  - Covered all STA TA and training provided to FYRM since 2000.
  - STA delivered: one Data Module ROSC; one SDDS assessment; eleven national accounts (NA) missions; five balance of payments (BOP) missions; four government finance statistics (GFS) missions; one price statistics mission; one monetary and financial statistics (MFS) mission.
  - Training: 53 Macedonian staff attended IMF training in macroeconomic statistics.
- Methods:
  - Reviewed TA-related Fund documents, TA reports and training since 2000.
  - Elicited views from authorities, TA donors, and other stakeholders.
  - Administered two questionnaires: 11 TA recipients (8 responses; 73 percent) and 60 key data users (18 responses; 30 percent).
  - Consulted with EUR and used EUR documents (including 2011 Article IV Statistical Issues Appendix).

### Key findings — overall usefulness, impact, and modalities
- Overall usefulness and impact:
  - Authorities indicated TA and training had been very useful in improving statistical systems and statistics.
  - Diagnostic ROSC plus subject-specific follow-up TA was effective in setting context and priorities.
- Tangible results:
  - FYRM graduated from GDDS to SDDS in November 2011.
  - New datasets and more detailed series disseminated compared with early-2000s.
  - Implementation of STA mission recommendations occurred in all subject areas but at different paces; staff shortages and turnover delayed implementation, especially in GFS.
  - Quarterly national accounts system established; first quarterly expenditure-based estimates available in late 2008.
- TA quality and modalities:
  - TA reports, backstopping, and management reports generally adequate and improved over time.
  - Short-term missions modality deemed appropriate given STA resource constraints; stakeholders stressed need for continuous follow-up and remote TA where appropriate.
- Donor coordination and regional knowledge:
  - Some donor coordination present (notably EU/IPA programs); closer STA collaboration with other donors recommended.
  - TA more effective when experts had country and regional contextual knowledge.
- Prioritization and management:
  - Given staff constraints, STA should tailor recommendations to realistic resource availability and involve agency top management in priority setting.

### Major achievements (selected)
- SDDS subscription achieved November 2011.
- Adoption of improved methodology for volume measures of GDP by production and expenditure.
- Development of quarterly GDP compilation system (production at current prices and in volume terms).
- Monthly unit values of exports and imports compiled using SITC and NACE.
- Bridge table developed to recast fiscal data into GFSM 2001; GFSM 2001 format data produced for 2005–2007 and first reported to STA in 2009.
- MFS compiled per MFSM 2000 and reported via SRFs for central bank and ODC.
- Compilation and dissemination of IIP, reserve assets, and external debt statistics; reserves template compiled per 2001 Guidelines.
- Improved inter-institutional collaboration and expanded electronic dissemination and timeliness.

### Sector-by-sector findings and outstanding issues
- National accounts:
  - 11 STA missions; quarterly system established; first quarterly expenditure-based estimates late 2008.
  - Remaining needs: inventory valuation adjustments, household consumption estimates, reconciliation of expenditure and production approaches.
- Price statistics:
  - Unit value export/import indices compiled monthly; PPI and CPI methodological shortcomings remain (seasonal product imputations, owner-occupied rent imputations, exports not included in PPI).
- Government finance statistics (GFS):
  - GFS compiled on cash basis and coverage limited historically to central government; bridge to GFSM 2001 created.
  - Data gaps remain for balance sheet development; reporting to STA ceased despite MOF posting fiscal data online.
  - Staffing constraint: Treasury Statistics Division noted as two people.
- Monetary and financial statistics (MFS):
  - 2005 TA initiated full set of sectoral balance sheets and depository corporations surveys.
  - Recommendations implemented; MFS of good quality and follow MFSM 2000.
- Balance of payments (BOP) and external sector:
  - ITRS improvements and expanded direct reporting surveys; compilation of IIP and improved supplementary data sources.
  - Remaining recommendations focus on private current transfers and travel estimates.

### Evaluation evidence and perceptions (survey and questionnaire results)
- Consolidated perceptions (selected exact figures):
  - Overall usefulness across consolidated responses (81 responses total by area): National Accounts — Very useful 43.2%; Mostly useful 44.4%; Somewhat useful 8.6%; Hardly useful 3.7%.
  - Perceived data quality improvement 2000–2005 (86 responses): Very good 9.3%; Good 52.3%; Moderate 31.4%; Poor 7.0%.
  - Perceived data quality improvement since 2006 (96 responses): Very good 25.0%; Good 57.3%; Moderate 13.5%; Poor 4.2%.
- Delivery-mode effectiveness (TA recipients average scores; lower is better):
  - Short (two week) mission/visit = 1.86.
  - Training/workshops (HQ and Regional Centers) = 2.0.
  - Resident expert = 2.0.
  - Other = 3.5.
- Consolidated questionnaire (72 responses): Very useful 38.9%; Mostly useful 47.2%; Somewhat useful 9.7%; Hardly useful 4.2%.
- Response detail examples:
  - TA recipients: 8 of 11 responded (73 percent); key data users: 18 of 60 responded (30 percent).
  - Training participation: 53 officials attended IMF training courses.
  - GFSM 2001 format data produced for 2005–2007; MOF reported GFS in GFSM 2001 format to STA in 2009.
  - Quarterly national accounts first provided expenditure-based quarterly estimates in late 2008.

### Lessons synthesized and operational recommendations
- Effectiveness drivers:
  - Diagnostic missions (Data Module ROSC, SDDS assessment) followed by subject-specific TA work; experts with country/region knowledge increase effectiveness.
  - Hands-on training during TA and continuation via remote follow-up accelerates implementation.
- Prioritization and resource alignment:
  - TA recommendations should be realistic given available staff resources; involve agency top management in setting clear priorities and resource commitments.
  - Encourage authorities to seek donor funding for training and IT when budgets are constrained.
- Modalities and follow-up:
  - Maintain a mix of short missions, training, and remote assistance; increase remote follow-up to sustain momentum and provide quick technical support.
  - Consider area department engagement (more visits or Resident Representative) to follow up on implementation and engage top management.
- Inter-agency and donor coordination:
  - STA should actively coordinate with other donors and convene data-producing agencies to reduce duplication, improve sequencing, and expand source data coverage.
  - Focus more on source data, especially fiscal/source data, to improve GFS and cross-sector consistency.
- Results-Based Management (RBM):
  - Adopt RBM framework elements (objectives, outcomes, indicators, milestones, risk assessments with "SMART" characteristics) to enhance TA planning, implementation, and monitoring.
  - Raise recipient-country understanding of RBM and incorporate RBM consistently into TA documentation.
- Training recommendations:
  - Focus on skills directly relevant for implementation of TA recommendations.
  - Tailor training to the country’s statistical development level and include hands-on, on-the-job components and experience-sharing sessions.
  - Promote regional/donor collaboration for training delivery.

### Priority future TA and training areas identified
- TA priorities:
  - National accounts with focus on improving GDP by expenditure.
  - Price statistics — CPI and PPI.
  - Monetary and financial statistics — compilation of OFC survey and reconciliation of stocks and flows.
  - GFS and source data strengthening.
  - Remote TA to enhance external sector statistics.
- Training priorities:
  - System of National Accounts 2008 / ESA 2010.
  - Monetary and Finance Statistics Manual 2000 (MFSM 2000).
  - Balance of Payments Manual Sixth Edition (BPM6).
  - Government Finance Statistics Manual, 2001 (GFSM 2001) with information on consistency with ESA 95 or ESA 2010.

*Source: Executive Summary, STA evaluation mission report for FYRM (September 26–October 2, 2012).*

### Executive Summary ......................................................................................................

### Executive Summary

### Mission purpose and timing
- A mission from the IMF Statistics Department (STA) visited Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRM) during September 26–October 2, 2012.
- Main aims:
  - Elicit views of authorities and other stakeholders on the effectiveness of STA TA and training and how these could be improved.
  - Discuss TA and training priorities with the authorities for the period ahead.
  - Discuss outstanding issues related to data reporting to the IMF.

### Scope of the evaluation
- The evaluation covered all STA TA and training provided to FYRM since 2000.
- STA delivered the following missions during this period:
  - 11 national accounts (NA) statistics missions
  - five balance of payments (BOP) statistics missions
  - four government finance statistics (GFS) missions
  - one price statistics mission
  - one monetary and financial statistics (MFS) mission
  - one Data Module Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC)
  - one Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) assessment mission as part of surveillance
- Training: provided to 53 Macedonian staff in macroeconomic statistics.

### Methods used for the evaluation
- Reviewed TA-related Fund documents, TA reports and training provided by STA since 2000.
- Summarized findings of those missions and derived results obtained by the Macedonian authorities with STA support.
- Elicited authorities‘ views on effectiveness of STA TA and training and discussed status of implementation of major recommendations.
- Solicited views from national users of statistics, including interviews with TA donors and other stakeholders.
- Conducted a survey using two questionnaires—one for key TA beneficiaries and one for key data users (see Appendices IV to VIII).
- Consulted with the IMF‘s European Department (EUR) on the usefulness and effectiveness of STA TA and training for surveillance purposes.

### Key findings
- Overall usefulness and impact
  - Authorities indicated that TA and training had been very useful in improving their statistical systems and statistics.
  - The approach of providing subject-specific TA following the Data Module ROSC was effective; the ROSC assessment was helpful in setting the context for future TA and provided a comprehensive assessment beyond statistical methodology useful for institutional development.
- Tangible results
  - FYRM graduated from the General Data Dissemination System (GDDS) to SDDS in November 2011.
  - New data sets and more detailed data series are now disseminated compared to the early-2000s.
  - Implementation of STA mission recommendations occurred in all subject areas, but at different paces.
  - Shortage of staff resources and staff turnover delayed implementation in some areas, especially in GFS.
- Training
  - Authorities emphasized the usefulness of training in improving understanding of international standards and helping implement actions to meet EU requirements.
  - Training contributed despite slow implementation pace of some TA recommendations.
- Donor coordination and regional/contextual knowledge
  - Some agencies paid attention to ensuring TA programs were consistent among donors—especially EU programs such as the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA).
  - STA could usefully collaborate more closely with other donors in implementing statistical programs.
  - TA is especially effective when providers have a good understanding of regional issues; this aids fulfillment of EU requirements.
- TA quality and modalities
  - The quality of TA reports, backstopping, and management reports was generally adequate and improved over time.
  - The modality of short-term missions was deemed appropriate given STA resource constraints.
  - Authorities stressed need for continuous advice after missions and for remote TA/training in some cases where significant improvements had been made.
- Prioritization and management
  - Because of staff resource shortages, STA TA could help set priorities of recommendations taking realistic available resources into account.
  - Involving agency top management in setting priorities could help ensure resource availability and consistency with agency strategy.

### Conclusions and recommendations

TA should:
- Continue to first conduct a diagnostic mission and then develop a work program to provide TA and training support to meet the needs identified;
- Continue to tailor TA to the needs and priorities of the data compiling agencies and where possible, experts selected should have a good understanding of the country as well as of the region specific context for compiling statistics;
- Continue giving sufficient time to allow for progress in implementing recommendations between visits and also be flexible in some cases to sustain the momentum of TA work;
- Provide recommendations that are more realistic with available resources. In this context, involvement of the agency‘s top management in agreeing on clear priorities of recommendations could be useful;
- Enhance communication and collaboration among key stakeholders: the IMF (EUR and STA) and the authorities, country agencies (statistical compilers, source data agencies, key data users), the authorities and donors, and STA with other donors;
- Provide for subsequent regular communication between counterparts and experts to permit remote assistance between missions to ensure successful implementation of recommendations;
- Be mindful of other donor‘s efforts to assist the authorities to coordinate assistance optimally in terms of content, sequencing, timing; and
- Apply a results-based management (RBM) framework being adopted by the IMF to improve TA planning, implementation, and monitoring.

Training should:
- Focus on imparting skills relevant for the successful implementation of TA recommendations intended to improve the quality of statistics;
- Be more specific to the level of statistical developments of countries rather than using generic training formats. If not feasible, such training should be a part of TA on-the-job training;
- Where practicable, be conducted with the collaboration of other donors in the region;
- Be hands-on in addition to providing a sound understanding of the concepts and methodology; and
- Include sessions where countries share experiences on data compilation.

### Future TA and training priorities for FYRM

TA priorities:
- National accounts with a focus on improving GDP by expenditure;
- Price statistics—Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI);
- Monetary and financial statistics with focus on the compilation of the other financial corporations (OFC) survey and reconciliation of stocks and flows in monetary statistics;
- GFS and source data; and
- Remote TA to assist in further enhancing the external sector statistics.

Training priorities:
- System of National Accounts 2008 (2008 SNA)/ the European System of National and Regional Accounts (ESA) 2010
- Monetary and Finance Statistics Manual 2000 (MFSM 2000)
- Balance of Payments Manual Sixth Edition (BPM6)
- Government Finance Statistics Manual, 2001 (GFSM 2001) with specific information on how GFSM 2001 implementation could be consistent with ESA 95 or ESA 2010 compliance.

*Source: Executive Summary, STA evaluation mission report for FYRM (September 26–October 2, 2012).*

### 9.      To conduct the evaluation, the mission: (i) reviewed the TA-related Fund documents and

### _cr13118 - 9. To conduct the evaluation, the mission: (i) reviewed the TA-related Fund documents and

### Evaluation methodology and data collection
- Mission activities:
  - Reviewed TA-related Fund documents, TA reports, and training provided by STA since 2000.
  - Summarized findings of those TA missions and derived results obtained by the Macedonian authorities with STA support.
  - Elicited authorities’ views on effectiveness of STA TA and training; discussed status of implementation of major STA recommendations and preferred modes of TA and training delivery.
  - Solicited views from national users of statistics.
  - Consulted with EUR and used EUR documents (especially the Statistical Issues Appendix to the latest Article IV staff report, 2011) to collect EUR views on usefulness and effectiveness of STA TA and training to FYRM.
- Questionnaires and survey coverage:
  - Two sets of questionnaires (one for key TA beneficiaries, one for key data users) focused on usefulness, lessons learned, and future TA/training needs.
  - Sent to (i) 11 TA recipients of whom 8 responded, representing 73 percent response rate, and (ii) 60 key data users of which 18 responded, representing 30 percent response rate.
  - Questionnaires and summary of responses appear in Appendices IV–VIII.
- Assessment approach:
  - Report summarizes findings, lessons, and recommendations on: (i) relevance and effectiveness (including alignment with government priorities); (ii) efficiency (including coordination across government agencies and with donors); and (iii) impact and sustainability (including constraints on absorptive capacity).
  - Assessments relied heavily on qualitative analysis based on stakeholder views and tangible evidence where possible.
  - Evaluation includes assessment of quality of TA reports, backstopping, and management report.
- Temporal considerations:
  - TA for statistical capacity building normally has a long time lag in producing results; benefits might not be fully captured within the review period.
  - Mission attempted to capture comprehensively STA contributions to improvement of macroeconomic statistics in FYRM and emphasized authorities’ views and possible improvements.

### TA and training provided by STA (2000–2012) — delivery and scope
- Missions delivered since 2000 included:
  - one Data Module ROSC;
  - eleven national accounts missions;
  - five balance of payments statistics missions;
  - four GFS missions;
  - one price statistics mission;
  - one MFS mission.
- Other TA activity:
  - STA conducted a SDDS assessment mission.
  - Delivery through short-term missions from IMF Headquarters and long-term regional projects financed by donors.
- Training participation:
  - 53 officials attended IMF training courses at headquarters and in regional training centers in macroeconomic statistics.
  - Core STA subjects: national accounts, price, government finance, monetary and financial, and external sector statistics.
- TA management and documentation:
  - Quality of TA reports, backstopping, and management reports were generally adequate and improved over time.
  - Most documents were accessible via the Technical Assistance Information Management System (TAIMS).
  - Thorough backstopping and review processes in STA contributed to high-quality final products, particularly in national accounts.

### Findings from the 2004 Data Module ROSC
- Coverage of assessment:
  - Conducted against the GDDS benchmark using the IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF).
  - Assessed national accounts, consumer price index, producer price index, government finance, monetary and financial, and balance of payments statistics.
  - Institutional assessment of NBRM, SSO, and MOF; provided prioritized recommendations.
- Institutional and resource observations:
  - SSO and NBRM: favorable legal and institutional environment; high degree of professionalism and ethical standards.
  - MOF: produced limited coverage of government finance statistics according to international standard; could produce budgetary central government data but not consolidated general government data per GFSM 2001.
  - Resources: broadly sufficient for national accounts; NBRM allocated adequate resources for monetary/financial and balance of payments statistics; insufficient resources for compilation of GFS and price indices.
  - Monitoring: procedures for SSO and NBRM to monitor data relevance; no consultation processes with users for fiscal data.
- National accounts technical issues and recommendations:
  - Lack of a statistical register and low survey response rates reduced suitability of surveys; reliance on enterprise financial statements and administrative databases.
  - Deficiencies observed in deflation methods and index formula for CPI and PPI.
  - Specific methodological shortcomings: inadequate techniques for compilation of volume measures of value added in some activities; inadequate measurement of taxes on products; no inventory valuation adjustments for GDP by production and expenditure.
  - Recommendations: invoke State Statistics Act (1997) to improve survey response rates; complete statistical register; improve procedures for volume measures; implement inventory valuation adjustments; increase human resources for price indices; revise CPI and PPI formulae; include exports in PPI; improve household budget survey data collection.
- Government Finance Statistics (GFS) findings and recommendations:
  - GFS compiled using national concepts broadly similar to GFSM 1986; no migration plan to GFSM 2001.
  - Coverage limited to budgetary central government despite some source data availability; domestic debt data for central government not disseminated.
  - Recording basis: cash rather than recommended accrual basis.
  - Needs: align national chart of accounts with GFSM 2001; automated procedure for assessment of source data.
- Monetary and Financial Statistics (MFS) findings:
  - Quality generally good and largely consistent with MFSM 2000.
  - Improvements needed: extend depository corporations survey to include savings houses; improve classification of financial instruments (shares, other equity, insurance technical reserves); correct basis for recording non-tradable long-term securities issued by Bank Rehabilitation Agency; review processes for assessing source data.
  - Recommendation: expand institutional coverage to include savings houses and improve classification of financial assets.
- Balance of Payments (BOP) findings:
  - Overall quality good with notable shortcomings: reinvested earnings scope, interest recording on due-for-payment basis (not accrual), source data gaps for private current transfers and unrecorded trade.
  - Recommendations: close collaboration with SSO to use surveys for private transfers; incorporate supplementary surveys for reinvested earnings, travel, trade credit.

### TA evaluation mission findings on single-topic missions and implementation results
- National accounts:
  - 11 STA missions on national accounts.
  - May 2004 project initiated development of quarterly national accounts; follow-ups in October 2004 and August 2005.
  - New quarterly compilation system established providing current price and volume measures consistent with annual data; system operational but first quarterly expenditure-based estimates available in late 2008.
  - Further recommendations on quarterly GDP by expenditure and reconciliation with production estimates; annual accounts methodology improvements implemented slowly.
- Price statistics:
  - December 2007 mission focused on unit value indices for exports/imports and methodology for export/import price indices.
  - Found non-implementation of earlier recommendations: no procedures for imputing missing prices for seasonal products; no data collected for imputed rents of owner-occupied dwellings; exports not included in PPI.
  - Noted ongoing projects to update indices with new weight base/reference periods and SSO engagement in harmonized CPI per EU regulations.
- Government Finance Statistics (GFS):
  - Four GFS TA missions post-2004 Data Module ROSC aimed at meeting GFSM 2001 and ESA 95 alignment.
  - FYRM selected as pilot to present fiscal statistics in GFSM 2001 format in IMF surveillance and EUR Staff Reports.
  - 2006 mission reviewed source data and MOF practices against GFSM 1986 with view to developing automatic bridge table to GFSM 2001; data gaps noted, especially for balance sheet development.
  - By 2009, GFSM 2001 format data produced for 2005–2007; MOF reported GFS in GFSM 2001 format to STA for the first time in 2009.
  - Constraints: departure of two counterpart staff, very limited Treasury Statistics Division staff (two people), competing priorities; MOF no longer reports data to STA.
  - Achievements: compared with 2000, more fiscal data disseminated (broadly consistent with GFSM 1986), higher frequency data (monthly central government operations), annual general government operations data dissemination, and dissemination of central government debt data (external and domestic) on MOF website. SDDS subscription spurred methodological and dissemination improvements.
- Monetary and Financial Statistics (MFS):
  - 2005 TA mission instrumental in commencing compilation of full set of sectoral balance sheets and depository corporations surveys.
  - Assistance on classification of disaggregated loans, treatment of treasury bills and NBRM reserves used for guarantees, data revision practices, and consistency with other macroeconomic statistics.
  - Implementation: all mission recommendations implemented (with some time lag); MFS compiled and disseminated are of good quality and follow MFSM 2000 recommendations.
- Balance of Payments (BOP):
  - Four TA missions during 2000–2006 improved ITRS, including redesign for data validation and consistency checks.
  - Subsequent missions expanded data sources: direct reporting surveys for direct investment, trade credit, travel, current transfers.
  - TA reviewed use of partner country data to address ITRS shortcomings and promoted collaboration among NBRM, MOF, and SSO to ensure consistency and avoid duplication.
  - Assistance provided on reconciliation between flow and stock data for international investment positions.
  - Implementation: authorities made very good use of TA, with remaining recommendations mainly on current transfers and travel estimates still ongoing.
- Training outcomes and issues:
  - Authorities benefited significantly from IMF headquarters, regional training center in Vienna, and in-country training across all macroeconomic statistics.
  - Authorities secured training for key staff; training yielded positive results in improved data quality.
  - Issue: trained staff sometimes moved to different areas and were replaced by new staff not yet trained.
  - Training during TA missions provided both theoretical and hands-on instruction; further training needed to cover new compilation developments and recent manuals/guidelines.
  - Authorities assessed IMF training as very beneficial due to practicality of workshops, expertise of trainers, and networking opportunities.

### Key statistics and counts preserved from source
- Missions delivered since 2000 included: one Data Module ROSC, eleven national accounts missions, five balance of payments statistics missions, four GFS missions, one price statistics mission, one MFS mission.
- Table of Technical Assistance Missions to FYRM (2000–2012) lists mission years including 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
- Training participation: 53 officials attended IMF training courses.
- Questionnaires response rates: 8 of 11 TA recipients responded (73 percent); 18 of 60 key data users responded (30 percent).
- GFSM 2001 format data produced for 2005–2007; MOF first reported GFS in GFSM 2001 format to STA in 2009.
- Quarterly national accounts system first provided expenditure-based quarterly estimates in late 2008.

*Italic: Summary based solely on the provided IMF text excerpt.*

### 29.      During the period 2000–2012, the Macedonian authorities have made noticeable progress

### _cr13118 - 29.      During the period 2000–2012, the Macedonian authorities have made noticeable progress

### Overall progress (2000–2012)
- Authorities made noticeable progress towards strengthening macroeconomic statistics.
- Progress concentrated on conforming to internationally accepted statistical methodologies for data compilation of macroeconomic statistics.
- Good progress in data dissemination practices, sensitization of users about revisions of data, and an increase in the volume of data releases.
- Progress on institutional and legal structure to enhance data compilation.

### National accounts (SSO) and GDP compilation
- STA TA significant in development of a quarterly compilation system of GDP by production at current prices and in volume terms.
- STA TA assisted in improving methodology for annual accounts, particularly GDP estimates based on production and expenditure approaches.
- Revised annual series of volume measures of GDP have been compiled.
- Planned further improvements:
  - Estimates of changes in inventories require further work.
  - Estimates of household consumption expenditure still need to be implemented.

### Price statistics and trade price indices
- Unit value of exports and imports now compiled monthly using the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC).
- Indices compiled using NACE classification (Nomenclature des Activités Économiques dans la Communauté Européenne).
- Price-specific indices of exports and imports not yet introduced owing to lack of staff resources; work planned with support of a European Union project (IPA 2009).
- CPI improvements introduced in accordance with international standards and EU regulations concerning:
  - Treatment of seasonal products.
  - Use of the geometric mean for calculation of the elementary indices.

### Government finance statistics (MOF)
- GFS missions developed a bridge table to automatically recast fiscal data to the GFSM 2001 framework; data produced for 2005–2007.
- Coverage of fiscal statistics extended to general government operations.
- MOF increased dissemination of fiscal data significantly, including new series for annual general government operations and stock of public debt.
- MOF has disseminated an advance release calendar since 2011 to meet international dissemination standards.
- GFS training and TA helped MOF Statistics staff understand production of fiscal data in the ESA95 framework.
- Lack of staff resources has limited sustainability of TA in GFS.

### External sector statistics
- Impressive results in production of external sector statistics that meet international standards.
- Authorities now compile and disseminate new external sector data sets: international investment position (IIP) data, reserve assets and foreign currency liquidity data, and external debt statistics.
- Compilation of reserves data meeting the IMF's "International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity: Guidelines for a Data Template" (2001) was notably useful for policy decision makers.
- Increased use of electronic data dissemination and improved timeliness and periodicity of data.

### Table 2 — Comparison of Macroeconomic Statistics 2000 and 2012 (key entries preserved)
- National accounts
  - Coverage: National (2000 and 2012)
  - Periodicity: A (2000) → Q (2012)
  - Timeliness: 15M (2000) → 80D (2012)
  - Methodology: 1993 System of National Accounts/European System of Accounts 1995 (1995 ESA). Added some elements of the 2008 System of National Accounts/ European System of Accounts 2010
- Consumer price index
  - Coverage: National (2000 and 2012)
  - Periodicity: M (2000 and 2012)
  - Timeliness: 3D (2000 and 2012)
  - Methodology: Consumer Price Indices: An ILO Manual 1989. Added some elements of the most updated methodology following EU regulations
- Government finance statistics
  - Coverage: Central Government (2000) → General Government (2012)
  - Periodicity: M / - (2000) → M / A Q / Q (2012) [table shows central and general government entries]
  - Timeliness: - / - (2000) → 2Q / A (2012)
  - Methodology: A Manual on Government Finance Statistics 1986 (GFSM 1986). Progress has been made toward the GFSM 2001 framework. Some GFS data were reported to STA.
- Monetary and financial statistics
  - Coverage: Banking sector (2000 and 2012)
  - Periodicity: M (2000 and 2012)
  - Timeliness: 1M (2000) → 21D (2012)
  - Methodology: A (Draft) Guide to Money and Banking Statistics in IFS 1984 → Monetary and Financial Statistics Manual 2000
- Balance of payments
  - Coverage: National (2000 and 2012)
  - Periodicity: M (2000 and 2012)
  - Timeliness: 75D (2000) → 2M (2012)
  - Methodology: Broadly follow Balance of Payments Statistics Manual, fifth edition (1993). More adherence to Balance of Payments Statistics Manual, fifth edition (1993)
- International investment position
  - Coverage: - (2000) → National (2012)
  - Periodicity: - (2000) → A (2012)
  - Timeliness: - (2000) → 1Q (2012)
  - Methodology: Balance of Payments Statistics Manual, fifth edition (1993)
- Reserves template
  - Coverage: National (2000 and 2012)
  - Periodicity: M (2000 and 2012)
  - Timeliness: 45D (2000) → 1M (2012)
  - Methodology: Balance of Payments Statistics Manual, fifth edition (1993). International Reserves and Foreign Currency Liquidity : Guidelines for a Data Template ( 2001)
- External debt
  - Coverage: Public Sector National (2000 and 2012)
  - Periodicity: Q (2000 and 2012)
  - Timeliness: 25D (2000) → 1Q (2012)
  - Methodology: National classification. External Debt Statistics Guide 2003

### Main achievements with STA TA and training (paragraph 34)
- FYRM graduated from being a GDDS participant to a subscriber of the SDDS in November 2011;
- Adoption of improved methodology for the compilation of the volume measure of GDP by production and expenditure;
- Development of a quarterly compilation system for GDP by production at current prices and in volume terms;
- Development of monthly unit values of exports and imports compiled using international standards (the SITC classification and NACE classification);
- Development of a bridge table to recast fiscal data into the GFSM 2001 framework, but some important data gaps remain to complete GFS balance sheets;
- Compilation of MFS based on the MFSM 2000, and reporting to STA using the IMF‘s SRFs for the central bank and other depository corporations (ODC);
- Collection of information for the compilation of the OFC survey to expand the coverage of monetary and financial statistics;
- Improved adherence to Balance of Payments Statistics Manual, fifth edition, for the compilation of balance of payments and IIP;
- Improved dissemination of quarterly BOP and IIP statistics, and strengthened data sources for the compilation of trade credits, foreign direct investment, loans and workers‘ remittances;
- Improved inter-institutional collaboration across data producing agencies facilitated through discussions of methodology, formalization of data sharing and better sequencing of surveys; as a subscriber to the SDDS, statistical agencies collaborate closely to fulfill data reporting requirements. Nevertheless, there is room for further collaboration to increase cross sectoral data consistency.

### Findings on TA effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability
- Relevance and effectiveness
  - STA TA and training generally relevant and responded to demands expressed by authorities.
  - Authorities confirmed STA TA was reasonably effective, especially in national accounts, BOP and MFS.
  - Implementation delays in national accounts and prices in some cases due to insufficient resources and difficulties in establishing adequate source data.
  - Lack of staff resources the major reason for delayed implementation of TA recommendations, especially for GFS.
- Efficiency and quality of TA delivery
  - TA interventions efficient due to STA focus on core areas and selection of appropriate experts.
  - Continuation of the same TA experts increased efficiency.
  - Complimentary training enhanced implementation and sustainability.
  - TA reports viewed as sufficiently clear; quality of reports improved over time reflecting good STA back stopping practices.
- Impact and sustainability
  - Strong and positive impact demonstrated by results obtained by authorities.
  - Constraints to capacity addressed through recruitment and training in some cases.
  - Examples of results: quarterly periodicity increase, expansion of MFS to include savings houses, compilation and dissemination of IIP, updated methodologies for GFS, BOP and MFS, establishment of statistical committee to ensure common strategy.

### Views from official data-producing agencies (NBRM, SSO, MOF)
- General impressions
  - TA addressed highly relevant issues and objectives developed with close consultation, facilitating absorption.
  - TA provided practical hands-on assistance with actual data collection.
  - TA contributed to increase in scope and quality of statistics and awareness of good data dissemination practices.
- Preferences and modalities
  - SSO preferred short-term TA and training.
  - NBRM appreciated short-term missions historically, but future preference for remote delivery and more training.
  - MOF preferred training and collaboration with SSO and international agencies (Eurostat) given work towards ESA95 compilation standards.
  - Agencies emphasized importance of expert follow-up via email and continuity of TA through remote means after missions.
- Resource constraints and prioritization
  - Authorities requested TA recommendations be more consistent with available staff resources and prioritized accordingly.
  - Recommendation to increase staff resources without specified priorities can create unrealistic expectations given budget constraints.
  - TA could be more helpful by identifying clear priorities under realistic staff-resource scenarios and involving top management in setting priorities.

### Views of national users of statistics
- Users observed significant improvements in quantity and quality across macroeconomic statistics over the last ten years.
- Users highlighted GFS as the area requiring the most improvement.
- User concerns included:
  - Limited availability of detailed data on employment, real estate prices, confidence indicators, disposable income, import and export price indices and living standards;
  - Implementation of dissemination policy regarding equal access (one response highlighted an incident of a cabinet minister citing SSO statistics before public release);
  - Timeliness and comprehensiveness of GFS statistics;
  - Accuracy of estimation of private transfers.
- Users noted need for improvements to SSO web content and greater detail disseminated for GFS.
- Some users recommended TA pay more attention to agency collaboration, especially among source data agencies and MOF.

### EUR views and remaining priorities
- EUR (referring to the 2011 Staff Report) finds data provision has shortcomings but is broadly adequate for surveillance and monitoring.
- EUR recognized usefulness of STA TA and training and tangible progress in data availability and quality.
- Noted contributions from TA to improvements in balance of payments and national accounts statistics, including quarterly GDP series by production and expenditure at current and constant prices and improved consistency of annual and quarterly national accounts.
- Recommended extending TA focus beyond methodology to dissemination format and improvement of source data.
- High priorities identified: national accounts statistics, fiscal data (based on FYRM‘s budget law on coverage and classification) and GFS as well as labor market statistics.
- EUR noted national accounts sometimes had large revisions that could benefit from clearer explanation and that SSO publications could benefit from inclusion of data status (preliminary, revised, or final data) and more comprehensive metadata.
- Reconciliation of GDP by expenditure and production approaches requires further improvement.

*Italic: Source — Excerpt from IMF STA assessment, _cr13118 - 29. During the period 2000–2012, the Macedonian authorities have made noticeable progress_*

### 48.      TA should give more focus on source data, especially fiscal data, so better GFS could be

### _cr13118 - 48.      TA should give more focus on source data, especially fiscal data, so better GFS could be produced.

### V. Lessons Synthesized from the Experience in FYRM
- Scope and overall assessment
  - Primary objective: help STA assess effectiveness of its TA and training program and explore areas for improvement.
  - Timeframe of experience reviewed: 2000–2012.
  - General consensus: IMF TA and training interventions were effective and contributed to improved macroeconomic statistics in the FYRM over the last twelve years.
  - Finding consistency: The findings are consistent with those of the TA evaluation on Peru. (Footnote 7)

- Effectiveness drivers and modalities
  - TA was effective in part because it was well tailored to needs and priorities of data compiling agencies; experts with country and region-specific understanding strengthened TA effectiveness.
  - Diagnostic/assessment missions (Data Module ROSC and SDDS assessment missions) provided useful benchmarks and guided action plans for focused TA and training.
  - Well spread timing of TA missions allowed progress between visits; agreeing on minimum achievements before follow-up missions was useful, though some flexibility and short visits or remote TA should be considered when technical challenges arise.
  - Closer remote follow-up after missions enhanced momentum and implementation by enabling regular contact and quick expert responses.
  - Staff constraints and staff turnover limited TA results; TA should make prioritized recommendations appropriate to resource availability and seek agreement from agency top management on resource commitments.
  - TA missions could more actively engage management to improve staff capacity and resources and encourage authorities to seek donor funding for training and IT components when budgets do not increase.
  - Enhancing collaboration across agencies and with other donors could leverage limited staff output, eliminate repetitive tasks, and improve sequencing of statistical programs.
  - In the context of surveillance, authorities and the area department can identify statistics shortcomings necessary for policy decisions, helping set TA priorities.
  - Area department role: more visits or a Resident Representative can follow up on TA recommendation implementation and leverage access to top management to encourage implementation pace and support solutions to agency constraints.
  - TA should assist more on strengthening inter-agency collaboration because TA experts often work with multiple agencies and can convene relevant officials; collaboration can rationalize resources (e.g., merchandise and services trade and foreign investment), reduce duplication, and improve quality, though not always timeliness due to resource differences among institutions.
  - Modality balance: FYRM authorities indicated a reasonable mix of TA and training but recommended more flexibility and more remote TA for timely and frequent assistance when counterpart development is sufficient.
  - TA should assist more actively in donor collaboration to ensure consistency in content, sequencing, and timing of statistical development programs and to secure supplementary programs outside STA core areas (e.g., expansion of source data to improve national accounts).
  - TA facilitated adoption of internationally accepted statistical methodologies, data dissemination standards, objective assessments of data quality, and awareness of priority areas for improvement.
  - TA development and monitoring could be enhanced using the newly introduced Results-Based Management (RBM) approach (see next section).
  - Training of staff directly involved with compilation during TA missions was highlighted as important; FYRM authorities selected staff likely to make immediate contributions after hands-on practical training.
  - Training contributed to capacity building and understanding of international standards; for FYRM, training helped bring data reporting into compliance with EU requirements regardless of TA implementation pace.
  - Training should be tailored to the level of statistical development to have immediate impact and emphasize experience-sharing sessions; donor and institutional collaboration on training is important.

### VI. Results-Based Management Framework
- Recent adoption and components
  - The Fund has recently adopted an RBM framework to enhance TA planning, implementation, and monitoring applicable to TA to FYRM.
  - An RBM framework contains objectives, outcomes, indicators, milestones, and risk assessments and assumptions with Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound ("SMART") characteristics. (Paragraph 49)

- Current state and recommendations
  - Existing information (briefing papers, TA reports and notes, back-to-office reports, administrative system) contains useful information but does not explicitly contain all elements of a full RBM framework in a consistent manner.
  - STA TA operations had already incorporated many elements of RBM (e.g., setting clear project framework summary).
  - Assessment mission used RBM principles broadly to the extent possible.
  - Going forward, using an RBM framework should enhance the effectiveness of TA planning and delivery.
  - The IMF should invest effort to raise understanding of the RBM framework among TA recipient countries and its potential benefits to enhance implementation. (Paragraph 50)

### VII. Data Reporting to STA
- Reporting status and issues
  - Overall FYRM authorities report data regularly and there is no reporting issue, except for GFS for the IMF statistical publications. (Paragraph 51)
  - The mission encouraged the MOF to resume reporting the annual GFS data that was initiated in 2009 but fully recognized the resource constraints of the MOF.
  - The mission recognized that the MOF already posts significant fiscal data on its website.
  - Contact information in each agency was updated or confirmed.
  - The mission stressed the advisability of reporting preliminary data followed by revisions, instead of delaying reporting until final data become available.

### Specific operational and policy recommendations (synthesized)
- Increase focus on source data, especially fiscal data, so better GFS could be produced; address inadequate data coverage of government below-the-line financing from NBRM caused by different account coverage between MOF and NBRM. (Opening sentence, paragraph 48)
- Tailor TA to agency needs and priorities; use experts with country/region understanding.
- Use diagnostic missions (Data Module ROSC, SDDS) to set benchmarks and action plans.
- Space TA missions to allow implementation between visits; use minimum achievement agreements but retain flexibility; consider short visits or remote TA when needed.
- Provide closer remote follow-up and quick expert support during implementation.
- Prioritize recommendations considering staff constraints and turnover; secure top-management agreement on resource commitments.
- Encourage authorities to seek donor funding for training and IT components when internal budgets cannot increase.
- Promote inter-agency and donor collaboration to reduce duplication and improve sequencing and quality.
- Use surveillance to identify statistical shortcomings for policy decisions to inform TA priorities.
- Enhance area department involvement to follow up on TA recommendations and engage top management.
- Apply more remote TA when counterpart capacity is high to provide timely assistance.
- Coordinate TA with other donors to ensure consistency and supplementary programs aligned with STA needs.
- Adopt RBM principles fully and raise recipient-country understanding of RBM.
- Promote hands-on, practical training targeted to staff who can implement recommendations immediately; tailor training to country development level and emphasize experience-sharing.

*Source: _cr13118 - 48.      TA should give more focus on source data, especially fiscal data, so better GFS could be produced.*

### 9. Rank the delivery mode(s) that was (or were) relatively most effective in meeting technical

### _cr13118 - 9. Rank the delivery mode(s) that was (or were) relatively most effective in meeting technical

### Summary of key findings on TA usefulness and data-quality improvements
- Overall usefulness of IMF STA technical assistance (consolidated responses, 81 responses total across areas):  
  - National Accounts: Very useful = 43.2%; Mostly useful = 44.4%; Somewhat useful = 8.6%; Hardly useful = 3.7%.  
  - Consumer and Producer Price Indexes: Very useful = 8.6%; Mostly useful = 12.3%; Somewhat useful = 1.2%; Hardly useful = 0.0%.  
  - Government Finance Statistics: Very useful = 6.2%; Mostly useful = 9.9%; Somewhat useful = 0.0%; Hardly useful = 0.0%.  
  - Monetary and Financial Statistics: Very useful = 3.7%; Mostly useful = 8.6%; Somewhat useful = 3.7%; Hardly useful = 3.7%.  
  - External Sector Statistics: Very useful = 9.9%; Mostly useful = 7.4%; Somewhat useful = 1.2%; Hardly useful = 0.0%.  
  - Total distribution across statistical areas: National Accounts 22.2%, CPI/PPI 16.0%, GFS 19.8%, MFS 18.5%, ES 23.5%.

- Perceived data quality improvement between 2000 and 2005 (86 responses total):  
  - Very good = 9.3%; Good = 52.3%; Moderate = 31.4%; Poor = 7.0%.  
  - Area shares: National Accounts 22.1%, CPI/PPI 16.3%, GFS 19.8%, MFS 19.8%, ES 22.1%.

- Perceived data quality improvement since 2006 (96 responses total):  
  - Very good = 25.0%; Good = 57.3%; Moderate = 13.5%; Poor = 4.2%.  
  - Area shares: National Accounts 20.8%, CPI/PPI 17.7%, GFS 19.8%, MFS 19.8%, ES 21.9%.

- Key Users only — relevance of TA issues (13 responses):  
  - Very relevant (by area): National Accounts = 53.8%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes = 15.4%; Government Finance Statistics = 0.0%; Monetary and Financial Statistics = 7.7%; External Sector Statistics = 15.4%.  
  - Mostly relevant: National Accounts = 38.5%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes = 7.7%; Government Finance Statistics = 7.7%; Monetary and Financial Statistics = 7.7%; External Sector Statistics = 7.7%.

### Delivery modes effectiveness and implementation outcomes
- Ranked delivery-mode effectiveness (TA Recipients summary — average scores):  
  - Short (two week) mission/visit = 1.86 (lower is better; 1 = most effective).  
  - Training/workshops (HQ and Regional Centers) = 2.0.  
  - Resident expert = 2.0.  
  - Other (please specify) = 3.5.

- Relevance of STA recommendations (number of responses by subject):  
  - Very relevant: ES = 2; MFS = 2.  
  - Mostly relevant: CPI = 1; NA = 2.  
  - Somewhat relevant: ______ (no responses).  
  - Hardly relevant: ______ (no responses).

- Degree of implementation of most relevant TA recommendations (number of responses by subject):  
  - All of them: ES = 1; MFS = 1.  
  - More than half: CPI = 1; ES = 1; MFS = 1; NA = 2.  
  - Less than half: ______ (no responses).  
  - No recommendations implemented: ______ (no responses).

- Reasons for lack of implementation (number of responses by subject):  
  - Lack of resources: ES = 1; MFS = 1; NA = 2.  
  - Lack of source data: ES = 1; MFS = 1; NA = 2.  
  - Management decision (low priority, policy issues, etc.): responses requested to explain (no quantified tallies provided).

- Impact of implemented TA recommendations on statistical outputs (number of responses by subject):  
  - Very good: ES = 2; MFS = 2; NA = 1.  
  - Good: CPI = 1; NA = 1.  
  - Moderate: ______ (no responses).  
  - No impact at all: ______ (no responses).

### Users’ assessments of specific TA outcomes and processes
- Key Users (70 responses summary) agreement on TA benefits (total distribution = 100%):  
  - Strongly Agree = 18.6%; Agree = 41.4%; Neutral = 40.0%; Disagree = 0.0%.  
  - Specific items (examples): areas of TA responded to priority need; TA facilitated policy analysis, formulation, and monitoring; TA facilitated dissemination of more and better quality statistics; TA facilitated national authorities' coordination and interaction with donors.

- TA Recipients (73 responses total) — multiple process-related assessments (percentages reported in consolidated responses):  
  - Areas of TA work responded to priority need: Strongly Agree 6.8%; Agree 2.7%; Neutral 0.0%; Disagree 0.0%.  
  - Recommendations and time frame discussed and agreed with authorities: Strongly Agree 2.7%; Agree 6.8%.  
  - Structure, length, and content of mission reports appropriate: Strongly Agree 2.7%; Agree 6.8%.  
  - Applied, hands-on training provided: Strongly Agree 2.7%; Agree 5.5%.  
  - TA facilitated participation in GDDS or subscription to SDDS: Strongly Agree 5.5%; Agree 4.1%.  
  - TA facilitated policy analysis, formulation, and monitoring: Strongly Agree 2.7%; Agree 5.5%; Neutral 1.4%.  
  - TA facilitated dissemination of more and better quality statistics: Strongly Agree 5.5%; Agree 4.1%.  
  - TA resulted in improved data dissemination practices: Strongly Agree 1.4%; Agree 8.2%.  
  - TA facilitated regular data provision to IMF Western Hemisphere Department: Strongly Agree 1.4%; Agree 5.5%; Neutral 1.4%.  
  - TA facilitated regular data provision for publication in IFS and other IMF publications: Strongly Agree 1.4%; Agree 4.1%; Neutral 2.7%.  
  - TA facilitated national authorities‘ coordination and interaction with other donors: Strongly Agree 1.4%; Agree 5.5%; Neutral 1.4%.

### Needs, goals, and suggested evaluation criteria for future TA (summarized responses)
- Goals to be achieved by future technical assistance:  
  - Establishing the security by security database.  
  - Flow statistics for the MFS.  
  - Confirmation of the already established Other Financial Corporations' Statistics.  
  - Technical assistance in the form of training/workshops organized either at the IMF Headquarters or at the Regional JVI centre.  
  - Implementation of export/import real price index.

- Suggested criteria to assess progress toward stated goals:  
  - Improvement of quality in statistics.  
  - More comprehensive data.  
  - Implementation of international standards.  
  - Data quality checks and data dissemination.  
  - Adjustment of the current BOP methodology towards BPM 6 and conversion of all items to the new BOP standard presentation tables.  
  - Further alignment with international standard, and with EU statistical requirements.  
  - Published indices on regular basis.

- How future TA will contribute to achieving goals:  
  - Improved compilation methodology.  
  - Suitable data sources.  
  - Sharing of practical experiences in implementation of macroeconomic statistics compilation standards.  
  - Additional training.

### Main historical results and most valuable outcomes from past TA and training
- Main results of TA prior to 2002 (2000-2002):  
  - Improved quality of statistics and adherence to international standards through adoption of suitable methodologies and more reliable source data.

- Main results of TA since 2003:  
  - Compilation and publication of an IIP.  
  - Compilation of MFS as per the MFS Manual and Guide.  
  - Improvement of quarterly GDP statistics.  
  - Compilation of Export/Import Price Index statistics (unit value index).

- Most valuable results from IMF training in statistics:  
  - Improvements of data sources and data quality.  
  - Gaining knowledge of the new standards and recommendations according to the international manuals.  
  - Knowledge on the implementation of the Guides and Manuals on statistics.

* _cr13118 - 9. Rank the delivery mode(s) that was (or were) relatively most effective in meeting technical_*

### 9.  Rank the delivery mode(s) that was (or were) relatively most effective in meeting technical

### _cr13118 - 9.  Rank the delivery mode(s) that was (or were) relatively most effective in meeting technical

### Delivery mode effectiveness (average scores)
- Short (two week) mission/visit: 1.86
- Training/workshops (HQ and Regional Centers): 2.0
- Resident expert: 2.0
- Other (please specify): 3.5

### Relevance of STA recommendations by subject (Question 10)
- Very relevant: ES = 2; MFS = 2  
- Mostly relevant: CPI = 1; NA = 2  
- Somewhat relevant: ______  
- Hardly relevant: ______

### Degree of implementation of most relevant TA recommendations by subject (Question 11)
- All of them: ES = 1; MFS = 1  
- More than half: CPI = 1; ES = 1; MFS = 1; NA = 2  
- Less than half: ______  
- No recommendations implemented: ______

### Reasons for lack of implementation of TA recommendations by subject (Question 12)
- Lack of resources: ES = 1; MFS = 1; NA = 2  
- Lack of source data: ES = 1; MFS = 1; NA = 2  
- Management decision (low priority, policy issues, etc.): Please explain.

### Impact assessment of implemented TA recommendations by subject (Question 13)
- Very good: ES = 2; MFS = 2; NA = 1  
- Good: CPI = 1; NA = 1  
- Moderate: ______  
- No impact at all: ______

### Consolidated questionnaire: Overall usefulness of STA technical assistance (Appendix VIII)
- Very useful: 38.9% total; breakdown: National Accounts 8.3%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 6.9%; Government Finance Statistics 4.2%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 6.9%; External Sector Statistics 12.5%  
- Mostly useful: 47.2% total; breakdown: National Accounts 12.5%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 9.7%; Government Finance Statistics 9.7%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 6.9%; External Sector Statistics 8.3%  
- Somewhat useful: 9.7% total; breakdown: National Accounts 1.4%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 0.0%; Government Finance Statistics 4.2%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 2.8%; External Sector Statistics 1.4%  
- Hardly useful: 4.2% total; breakdown: National Accounts 0.0%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 0.0%; Government Finance Statistics 4.2%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 0.0%; External Sector Statistics 0.0%  
- Total: 100% (72 responses)

### Assessment of data quality improvement, 2000–2005
- Very good: 6.4% total; breakdown: National Accounts 1.3%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 0.0%; Government Finance Statistics 0.0%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 1.3%; External Sector Statistics 3.8%  
- Good: 53.8% total; breakdown: National Accounts 11.5%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 12.8%; Government Finance Statistics 11.5%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 9.0%; External Sector Statistics 9.0%  
- Moderate: 32.1% total; breakdown: National Accounts 6.4%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 3.8%; Government Finance Statistics 5.1%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 9.0%; External Sector Statistics 7.7%  
- Poor: 7.7% total; breakdown: National Accounts 2.6%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 0.0%; Government Finance Statistics 5.1%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 0.0%; External Sector Statistics 0.0%  
- Total: 100% (78 responses)

### Assessment of quality improvement since 2006 (Question 3a)
- Very good: 21.6% total; breakdown: National Accounts 1.1%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 2.3%; Government Finance Statistics 2.3%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 6.8%; External Sector Statistics 9.1%  
- Good: 59.1% total; breakdown: National Accounts 15.9%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 11.4%; Government Finance Statistics 8.0%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 12.5%; External Sector Statistics 11.4%  
- Moderate: 14.8% total; breakdown: National Accounts 3.4%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 4.5%; Government Finance Statistics 6.8%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 0.0%; External Sector Statistics 0.0%  
- Poor/hardly change: 4.5% total; breakdown: National Accounts 0.0%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 0.0%; Government Finance Statistics 4.5%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 0.0%; External Sector Statistics 0.0%  
- Total: 100% (88 responses)

### Relevance of issues provided by IMF TA experts during missions (Question 3b)
- Very relevant: 53.8% total; breakdown: National Accounts 15.4%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 0.0%; Government Finance Statistics 7.7%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 15.4%; External Sector Statistics 15.4%  
- Mostly relevant: 38.5% total; breakdown: National Accounts 7.7%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 7.7%; Government Finance Statistics 7.7%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 7.7%; External Sector Statistics 7.7%  
- Somewhat relevant: 7.7% total; breakdown: National Accounts 0.0%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 0.0%; Government Finance Statistics 7.7%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 0.0%; External Sector Statistics 0.0%  
- Hardly relevant: 0.0% total; breakdown: National Accounts 0.0%; Consumer and Producer Price Indexes 0.0%; Government Finance Statistics 0.0%; Monetary and Financial Statistics 0.0%; External Sector Statistics 0.0%  
- Total: 100% (13 responses)

### Views on TA aspects and outcomes (Question 4; total 70 responses)
- Areas of technical assistance work responded to your priority need: Strongly Agree 7.1%; Agree 12.9%; Neutral 1.4%; Disagree 0.0%  
- Technical assistance resulted in data quality improvements that facilitated policy analysis, formulation, and monitoring: Strongly Agree 1.4%; Agree 12.9%; Neutral 5.7%  
- Technical assistance facilitated the dissemination (publication) of more and better quality statistics: Strongly Agree 2.9%; Agree 5.7%; Neutral 10.0%  
- Technical assistance resulted in improved data dissemination practices: Strongly Agree 4.3%; Agree 7.1%; Neutral 11.4%  
- Technical assistance facilitated national authorities‘ coordination and interaction with donors and other stakeholders: Strongly Agree 2.9%; Agree 2.9%; Neutral 11.4%

*Appendix VIII. QUESTIONNAIRE: Consolidated Responses of Key Data Users — Technical Assistance Evaluation Mission, IMF’s Statistics Department, September 2012*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/scr/2013/_cr13118.pdf_