Measurement, Classification and Reporting of Services Activities: An International Perspective,” mimeo (downloadable from www.worldbank.org/trade

Summary: This paper examines needs for statistics on trade in services, indicates in general terms what data are now available, describes the existing international body of methodological guidance for statistical compilation, discusses strategies for data-improvement programs, and identifies some of the data needs that remain unmet and some of the difficulties and special situations involved in data collection. Particular attention is given to relationships between guidelines for compilation and definitions contained in or implied by the General Agreement on Trade in Services. Over roughly the last 15 years, growth in trade in services and the advent of trade negotiations and agreements covering services have made it increasingly important that measurement of services trade be as comprehensive, detailed, accurate, and internationally comparable as possible. International organizations and national statistical offices have responded by issuing new methodological guidelines and classifications, improving the coverage of transactions, and reporting services trade in greater detail. In addition, a number of countries have begun to develop data on services delivered to internationa