{
  "title": "New Estimates for Direction of Trade Statistics",
  "publication": "IMF Working Papers, January 24, 2018",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2018/01/24/new-estimates-for-direction-of-trade-statistics-45582",
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  "summary": "In March 2017, the IMF published an upgrade of its Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) dataset. This paper documents the new methodology that has been developed to estimate missing observations of bilateral trade statistics on a monthly basis.",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Methodology",
      "content": "- The paper documents a new methodology developed to estimate missing observations of bilateral trade statistics on a monthly basis.\n- The estimation procedure is founded on a benchmarking method that produces monthly estimates based on official trade statistics by partner country reported at different times and frequencies.\n- The paper describes the new estimation methodology in detail."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Data sources and incorporation",
      "content": "- Additional data sources have been incorporated into the Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) dataset as part of the March 2017 upgrade.\n- The benchmarking method uses official trade statistics by partner country reported at different times and frequencies to produce monthly estimates."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Impact assessment",
      "content": "- The paper assesses the impact of the new estimates on trade measurement in DOTS at global, regional, and country-specific levels.\n- Assessment covers changes to measurement of direction of trade, exports, imports, plurilateral trade, and trade balance."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Suggested developments and policy relevance",
      "content": "- The paper suggests developments of DOTS to strengthen its relevance for IMF bilateral and multilateral surveillance.\n- Emphasis on improving partner-country detail and the statistics database to better inform IMF surveillance.\n\n---\n\n Content in this bundle\n\n- New Estimates for Direction of Trade Statistics, WP/18/16, January 2018\n  - New Estimates for Direction of Trade Statistics, WP/18/16, January 2018 (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n  - New Estimates for Direction of Trade Statistics, WP/18/16, January 2018 (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n\n---\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2018/01/24/new-estimates-for-direction-of-trade-statistics-45582"
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    "Authors: Marco Marini, Robert Dippelsman, Michael Stanger",
    "Published: January 24, 2018",
    "Series: IMF Working Papers",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484338629.001",
    "The paper documents a new methodology developed to estimate missing observations of bilateral trade statistics on a monthly basis.",
    "The estimation procedure is founded on a benchmarking method that produces monthly estimates based on official trade statistics by partner country reported at different times and frequencies.",
    "The paper describes the new estimation methodology in detail.",
    "Additional data sources have been incorporated into the Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) dataset as part of the March 2017 upgrade.",
    "The benchmarking method uses official trade statistics by partner country reported at different times and frequencies to produce monthly estimates.",
    "The paper assesses the impact of the new estimates on trade measurement in DOTS at global, regional, and country-specific levels.",
    "Assessment covers changes to measurement of direction of trade, exports, imports, plurilateral trade, and trade balance.",
    "The paper suggests developments of DOTS to strengthen its relevance for IMF bilateral and multilateral surveillance.",
    "Emphasis on improving partner-country detail and the statistics database to better inform IMF surveillance.",
    "**New Estimates for Direction of Trade Statistics, WP/18/16, January 2018**"
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