{
  "title": "Improving the Estimation Methodology of Monthly Data in Direction of Trade Statistics",
  "publication": "IMF Working Papers, December 1, 1994",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/improving-the-estimation-methodology-of-monthly-data-in-direction-of-trade-statistics-1325",
  "canonical": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/improving-the-estimation-methodology-of-monthly-data-in-direction-of-trade-statistics-1325",
  "overlayPath": "/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/improving-the-estimation-methodology-of-monthly-data-in-direction-of-trade-statistics-1325/index.md",
  "summary": "The quality of the estimated data in DOTS depends on the availability and accuracy of direction of trade reports and the estimation methodology. Because of the low coverage of monthly reporting, the estimating procedure plays a role of increased importance.",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Summary and purpose",
      "content": "- The quality of the estimated data in DOTS depends on the availability and accuracy of direction of trade reports and the estimation methodology.\n- Because of the low coverage of monthly reporting, the estimating procedure plays a role of increased importance.\n- The study identifies two deficiencies in current DOTS estimation methodology and proposes improvements to increase accuracy."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Identified deficiencies in current DOTS estimation methodology",
      "content": "- The information on total trade in IFS is not efficiently used.\n- The assumed uniform 10 percent CIF/FOB factor is inappropriate."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Proposed improvements and recommendations",
      "content": "- Allocate IFS total trade, when available, according to the shares of total trade derived from partner data.\n- Replace the uniform 10 percent CIF/FOB factors with adjustment factors derived from historical data."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Subject areas and keywords",
      "content": "- Subject: Direction of trade, Exports, Imports, International trade, Trade balance\n- Keywords: correlation coefficient, coverage ratio, data, Direction of trade, estimation methodology, Exports, Imports, trade, Trade balance, trade data, trade statistics, trade structure, WP\n\n---\n\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/improving-the-estimation-methodology-of-monthly-data-in-direction-of-trade-statistics-1325"
    }
  ],
  "bullets": [
    "[Markdown version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/improving-the-estimation-methodology-of-monthly-data-in-direction-of-trade-statistics-1325/index.md)",
    "[Structured JSON version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/improving-the-estimation-methodology-of-monthly-data-in-direction-of-trade-statistics-1325/index.json)",
    "[Bundle manifest](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/improving-the-estimation-methodology-of-monthly-data-in-direction-of-trade-statistics-1325/bundle-manifest.json)",
    "Authors: Xiaoning Gong",
    "Published: December 1, 1994",
    "Series: IMF Working Papers",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451927467.001",
    "The quality of the estimated data in DOTS depends on the availability and accuracy of direction of trade reports and the estimation methodology.",
    "Because of the low coverage of monthly reporting, the estimating procedure plays a role of increased importance.",
    "The study identifies two deficiencies in current DOTS estimation methodology and proposes improvements to increase accuracy.",
    "The information on total trade in IFS is not efficiently used.",
    "The assumed uniform 10 percent CIF/FOB factor is inappropriate.",
    "Allocate IFS total trade, when available, according to the shares of total trade derived from partner data.",
    "Replace the uniform 10 percent CIF/FOB factors with adjustment factors derived from historical data.",
    "Subject: Direction of trade, Exports, Imports, International trade, Trade balance",
    "Keywords: correlation coefficient, coverage ratio, data, Direction of trade, estimation methodology, Exports, Imports, trade, Trade balance, trade data, trade statistics, trade structure, WP"
  ],
  "alternates": {
    "markdown": "/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/improving-the-estimation-methodology-of-monthly-data-in-direction-of-trade-statistics-1325/index.md",
    "json": "/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/improving-the-estimation-methodology-of-monthly-data-in-direction-of-trade-statistics-1325/index.json",
    "bundleManifest": "/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/improving-the-estimation-methodology-of-monthly-data-in-direction-of-trade-statistics-1325/bundle-manifest.json"
  },
  "generatedAtUtc": "2026-09-17T06:40:59.782Z"
}
