{
  "title": "LAO P.D.R.: Assessing the Quality of Trade Statistics",
  "publication": "IMF Working Papers, November 16, 2017",
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  "summary": "This paper assesses external trade statistics in Lao PDR by looking at mirror statistics, and with reference to international experience in compilation and dissemination of external trade data.",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Overview",
      "content": "- Purpose: Assess external trade statistics in Lao PDR using mirror statistics and international experience in compilation and dissemination of external trade data.\n- Method: Comparison of reported Lao PDR trade data with partner-reported (mirror) statistics and reference to international compilation/dissemination practices.\n- Note: Possible sources and implications of discrepancies are discussed in the paper."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Key findings",
      "content": "- Exports could be underreported by 8 to 50 percent.\n- Imports could be underreported by 30 to 70 percent.\n- The trade deficit could be 20 percent to 280 percent higher.\n- Underreporting is concentrated in trade with major partners:\n  - Thailand (17 percent of total trade)\n  - China (10 percent of total trade)\n  - Vietnam (3 percent of total trade)"
    },
    {
      "heading": "Sectoral concentration of underreporting",
      "content": "- Exports:\n  - Underreporting is concentrated in wood and wood products.\n- Imports:\n  - Underreporting is concentrated across a wider variety of products, including:\n    - food\n    - fuel\n    - vehicles\n    - machinery\n    - chemical products\n    - plastics and rubber\n    - construction materials"
    },
    {
      "heading": "Analysis and implications",
      "content": "- The magnitude of underreporting implies substantial distortions in the reported external trade position of Lao PDR, with the trade deficit potentially much larger than official figures indicate.\n- Concentration of underreporting in major partners and specific product categories points to targeted areas for data verification and improvement.\n- The paper discusses possible sources of discrepancies and their implications for trade statistics compilation and policy analysis.\n\n---\n\n Content in this bundle\n\n- LAO P.D.R.: Assessing the Quality of Trade Statistics, WP/17/251, November 2017\n  - LAO P.D.R.: Assessing the Quality of Trade Statistics, WP/17/251, November 2017 (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n  - LAO P.D.R.: Assessing the Quality of Trade Statistics, WP/17/251, November 2017 (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n\n---\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2017/11/16/lao-p-d-r-45367"
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    "Authors: Geoffrey J Bannister, Manuk Ghazanchyan, Theodore Pierre Bikoi",
    "Published: November 16, 2017",
    "Series: IMF Working Papers",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484325742.001",
    "Purpose: Assess external trade statistics in Lao PDR using mirror statistics and international experience in compilation and dissemination of external trade data.",
    "Method: Comparison of reported Lao PDR trade data with partner-reported (mirror) statistics and reference to international compilation/dissemination practices.",
    "Note: Possible sources and implications of discrepancies are discussed in the paper.",
    "Exports could be underreported by 8 to 50 percent.",
    "Imports could be underreported by 30 to 70 percent.",
    "The trade deficit could be 20 percent to 280 percent higher.",
    "Underreporting is concentrated in trade with major partners:",
    "Exports:",
    "Imports:",
    "The magnitude of underreporting implies substantial distortions in the reported external trade position of Lao PDR, with the trade deficit potentially much larger than official figures indicate.",
    "Concentration of underreporting in major partners and specific product categories points to targeted areas for data verification and improvement.",
    "The paper discusses possible sources of discrepancies and their implications for trade statistics compilation and policy analysis.",
    "**LAO P.D.R.: Assessing the Quality of Trade Statistics, WP/17/251, November 2017**"
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