Training Catalog Session Details

Officials responsible for the compilation of external sector statistics (ESS) (balance of payments and/or international investment position (IIP)) statistics, and who are familiar with the methodology of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Statistics Manual, sixth edition (BPM6).

Participants are expected to have a degree in economics or statistics and at least two years of relevant compilation experience, or should have completed the Compilation of Balance of Payments Statistics (BPSCG) course.

This two-week intermediate regional course on balance of payments and IIP statistics targets compilers with some experience in compilation of balance of payments and/or IIP. The course will focus on more complex methodological issues than the previous balance of payments/IIP standard courses. It aims at providing a deep understanding of the concepts, data sources, and compilation techniques for balance of payments and IIP statistics and their application for addressing complex methodological issues. The course does not cover the basic balance of payments and IIP concepts. The intermediate level of the course presupposes participants' familiarity with the basic concepts. Therefore, it is highly recommended to complete the balance of payments/IIP online course (OL21.139) to review or learn the balance of payments/IIP basic concepts.

The course consists of a series of lectures and workshops analyzing country cases with a strong data component and to allow peer learning and sharing of experiences. Recognizing the challenges in compiling data in emerging areas of user interest, the course emphasizes specific topics, such as estimating informal cross border activities and the treatment of special purpose entities. The course examines themes and challenges emerging from developments in global economy, and participants can discuss how these impact compilation work. Specific exercises are geared to integrating data compilation with Fund surveillance and policy advice, and to demonstrate the analytical uses of ESS.