## IMF Announces the Release of a New Database on Special Purpose Entities (SPEs)

_IMF News, March 2, 2022_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [IMF Announces the Release of a New Database on Special Purpose Entities (SPEs)](https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2022/03/02/pr2253-imf-announces-the-release-of-a-new-database-on-special-purpose-entities)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/news/articles/2022/03/02/pr2253-imf-announces-the-release-of-a-new-database-on-special-purpose-entities/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/news/articles/2022/03/02/pr2253-imf-announces-the-release-of-a-new-database-on-special-purpose-entities/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/news/articles/2022/03/02/pr2253-imf-announces-the-release-of-a-new-database-on-special-purpose-entities/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: March 2, 2022

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### Database scope and methodology
- The IMF released an international database on the cross-border flows and positions of Special Purpose Entities (SPEs).
- The database, for the first time, is based on a common methodology, including an internationally agreed definition of SPEs, endorsed by the IMF Committee on Balance of Payments Statistics.
- The database includes information that allows the separate identification of SPEs within the balance of payments and international investment position statistics of participating countries.

### Coverage and data release details
- Includes data from 25 economies, including several offshore centers, in this first annual release, with more economies to be added soon.
- Includes, in this release, annual data for 2020 for all participating economies, as well as historical data and/or quarterly data for 2021 for some economies.
- Going forward, the database will be disseminated on an annual basis, with increased country coverage.
- The list of participating economies is available here.

### Purpose, significance, and expected impact
- SPEs are described as entities set up in countries of convenience and low-tax jurisdictions.
- In a complex, global financial system with increased cross-border transactions and positions, SPEs play an important role.
- Disclosure about SPE activities in external sector statistics is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the cross-border flows and stocks associated with real economic activities.
- The IMF states the database is a major step towards addressing data gaps related to cross-border exposures and improving the transparency and international comparability of external sector statistics.

### Relationship to other international efforts
- The IMF’s SPE database complements the information disseminated by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Eurostat for their member countries.
- The database is the outcome of an international effort within the auspices of the IMF Committee on Balance of Payments Statistics’ Task Force on SPEs.
- The Final Report of the Task Force on SPEs is available at https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/bop/2018/pdf/18-03.pdf

*Source: IMF Press Release No. 2253, March 2, 2022*

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## Content in this bundle

- [18 03 (PDF)](/external/pubs/ft/bop/2018/pdf/18-03.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}
- [20 26 (PDF)](/external/pubs/ft/bop/2020/pdf/20-26.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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## References

- [Press Releases](https://www.imf.org/en/news/searchnews)
- [PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)
- [database](http://data.imf.org/bop)
- [IMF Committee on Balance of Payments Statistics](https://www.imf.org/external/bopage/bopindex.htm)
- [here](https://data.imf.org/)
- [https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2022/03/02/pr2253-imf-announces-the-release-of-a-new-database-on-special-purpose-entities_