## LAO P.D.R.: Assessing the Quality of Trade Statistics

_IMF Working Papers, November 16, 2017_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [LAO P.D.R.: Assessing the Quality of Trade Statistics](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2017/11/16/lao-p-d-r-45367)

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## Bibliographic details
- 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

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### Overview
- 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.

### Key findings
- 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:
  - Thailand (17 percent of total trade)
  - China (10 percent of total trade)
  - Vietnam (3 percent of total trade)

### Sectoral concentration of underreporting
- Exports:
  - Underreporting is concentrated in wood and wood products.
- Imports:
  - Underreporting is concentrated across a wider variety of products, including:
    - food
    - fuel
    - vehicles
    - machinery
    - chemical products
    - plastics and rubber
    - construction materials

### Analysis and implications
- 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.

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## Content in this bundle

- **LAO P.D.R.: Assessing the Quality of Trade Statistics, WP/17/251, November 2017**
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  - [LAO P.D.R.: Assessing the Quality of Trade Statistics, WP/17/251, November 2017 (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/wp/2017/wp17251.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2017/11/16/lao-p-d-r-45367_