A Framework to Assess the Effectiveness of IMF Technical Assistance in National Accounts
IMF Working Papers, December 1, 2009
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Bibliographic details
- Authors: Gonzalo C Pastor Campos
- Published: December 1, 2009
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451874143.001
Summary
- This paper analyzes the effectiveness of technical assistance provided by AFRITAC West (AFW) in the area of national accounts using the Fund's Technical Assistance Information Management System (TAIMS).
- The central measurement challenge identified is reporting on "ultimate outcomes" (i.e., the production and dissemination of national accounts statistics along best international practices) rather than on "inputs" (i.e., the number of national accounts missions fielded by AFW).
- The paper concludes that the "ultimate outcome" of producing and disseminating robust national accounts is work in progress.
- AFW's technical assistance efforts have mainly focused on source data assessments and methodological issues underpinning the compilation of national accounts.
- The pending challenge is to further support a more timely production and dissemination of national accounts data, as recommended in the Data ROSCs and by the IMF mission teams to AFW member countries.
Key Findings and Analysis
- Emphasis placed on shifting evaluation from inputs (missions counted) to outcomes (production and dissemination of statistics).
- AFW technical assistance concentrated on:
- source data assessments
- methodological issues for national accounts compilation
- Status of "ultimate outcome":
- Characterized as work in progress rather than complete achievement.
Policy Recommendations and Implementation Challenges
- Support actions needed to achieve more timely production and dissemination of national accounts data.
- Recommendations align with prior guidance from Data ROSCs and IMF mission teams to AFW member countries.
Subjects and Keywords
- Subject: Data collection, Data dissemination, Data processing, Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF), National accounts
- Keywords: AFW, country, IMF country team, information, member country, WP
Source: IMF Working Papers landing page for "A Framework to Assess the Effectiveness of IMF Technical Assistance in National Accounts".