Minutes of the Expert Group Meeting of National Accounts in the Caribbean

Minutes of the Expert Group Meeting of National Accounts in the Caribbean 2011 Round of the International Comparison Program Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 26-28 September 2011 Attendance: The meeting was attended by representatives of 13 ECLAC member countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago), 6 Associate member countries (Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Turks and Caicos), the organizers (UN-ECLAC, CARICOM and CARTAC) and the World Bank Global Office. A complete list of people attending the meeting is annexed to the minutes (Annex I). Summary of first day, 26 September 2011 Opening remarks were given by UN-ECLAC (Mr. Sylvan Roberts, Port of Spain Office, UN- ECLAC), CARTAC (Mr. Arnold McIntyre) and CARICOM (Mr. Christopher Richards). After a brief round table of presentation of participants, and a security briefing concerning the situation in Trinidad and Tobago provided by Mr. Juda Francis, UN-ECLAC, the agenda was adopted as annexed to these minutes (Annex II). Ms. Nada Hamadeh (World Bank Global Office) gave a presentation providing a general overview of the program, including national accounts activities, reporting requirements and the global timetable. The discussion that followed focused on the consequences and the estimation practices followed at the global level in case countries do not participate in the program or send incomplete information to the Regional Coordinators and the Global Office. Countries that cannot provide detailed GDP-level information, may participate at the Household-consumption level. Overall, countries have confirmed their commitment to play an active role in the project and do their best in order to provide the statistics information requested for final estimation. Mr. Jan Redeby (UN-ECLAC consultant) gave a presentation on national accounts practices followed in 18 Caribbean countries, analyzing the main goals reached in the implementation of the 1993 SNA as well as the main deviations, such as in the field of FISIM estimation, calculation of rents, exhaustiveness, SUT, consumption of fixed capital, and the estimation from the demand-side. An extensive discussion followed concerning the timeliness with which national accounts are normally released by member countries, the availability of quarterly data, data revision policies and practices, classifications, and the main problems 1

encountered by countries in the estimation of Private consumption, Inventories, Valuables, and Gross fixed capital formation. Mr. Christopher Richards (CARICOM) gave a presentation on a project leaded by CARICOM aimed at strengthening the capacity in national accounts for the Caribbean countries, the achievements reached so far and the follow-up actions to be undertaken. Mr. Giovanni Savio (UN-ECLAC) gave a presentation on the national accounts framework in the ICP. The presentation focused on the estimation of the main national account aggregates, the comparison-resistant areas, pricing basis, main data sources to be used, and major gaps usually found and possible remedies. The discussion that followed concentrated on the use of SUT and commodity-flow methods for the estimation of relevant items. Mr. Jan Redeby (UN-ECLAC consultant) presented an overview of the ICP classifications and main basic headings, focusing on linking factors of the various classifications. Summary of second day, 27 September 2011 Mr. Giovanni Savio (UN-ECLAC) presented the main definitions of the non-observed economy underlying the data and metadata requirements of the project (exhaustiveness and data quality assurance framework questionnaires). The timetable for transmission of the relevant information was discussed, as well as the appropriate way to answer the questionnaires. Suggestions were made on how to improve the exhaustiveness template, by replacing the information on production and intermediate consumption with value added only, eliminating the income-side components, and using the basic heading classification for the demand-side components. Ms. Claudia De Camino (UN-ECLAC) presented an overview of MORES (Model Report on Expenditure Statistics) requirements, and the main estimation methods for splitting GDP expenditure data, with reference to some case studies and examples. The discussion that followed concentrated on the importance of filling in the templates in order for the Regional Coordinator and the Global Office to have a clear overview of the main sources and methods used in the estimation of the basic headings. Ms. Nada Hamadeh (World Bank Global Office) reviewed the expenditure data validation, explaining the various steps followed for intra-country, regional and global validations. An overview of comparison-resistant areas was carried out by Mr. Giovanni Savio (UN- ECLAC) for Housing and Private education, by Ms. Nada Hamadeh (World Bank Global Office) for Health and Government, and by Mr. Jan Redeby (UN-ECLAC consultant) for Gross fixed capital formation. Although the presentations were brief and introductory to the various topics discussed, countries were informed about deadlines for data transmission. It was agreed that the topics would be treated in a more detailed and exhaustive way during the next meeting on national accounts for the Caribbean, to be held in January 2012. Summary of third day, 28 September 2011 Ms. Maureen Blokland (CARTAC) and Mr. Christopher Richards (CARICOM) gave two presentations on the programme of work of their organizations for the forthcoming period 2011-2013, with particular focus on price and national accounts activities. 2

A Round Table discussion was organized in order to identify national focal points for national accounts within the framework of the project. It was agreed that UN-ECLAC would send official letters of nominations to the focal points, once the tentative list (Annex III) will be approved. A calendar of activities for the Caribbean was discussed with participants and tentatively approved as per the Annex IV to the minutes. The calendar includes dates/periods for transmission of data and metadata to the regional office. Preliminary meeting conclusions and agreements were discussed and agreed upon with participants, as follows: (a) There has been considerable improvement in the National Accounts practices followed by member countries, which are nowadays almost in line with international recommendations and the main requirements of the 1993 SNA, which represents the reference framework for all Caribbean countries. (b) Major weaknesses are identified, for some countries, in the estimation of GDP from the demand-side (especially in the estimation of some NA aggregates on a residual basis, particularly private consumption) and the lack of estimation of informal activities. The first weakness deserves special attention in the ICP context, as suboptimal estimation methods need to be applied for the derivation of the basic headings requirements of the project. (c) CARICOM, CARTAC, ECCB and ECLAC have achieved significant progress in assisting countries in the National Accounts field. The organizations were requested to exchange their program of activities and include, taking into consideration financial constraints, ICP related activities. (d) Member countries took note of the overall requirements of the project, and the corresponding deadlines for data and metadata transmission to the Regional and Global Offices. (e) Member countries took note of the National Accounts framework for the ICP, the classification of final expenditures to be used in the context of the program, the approaches proposed for splitting the GDP, and the overall approach for validating National Accounts expenditure data. (f) Member countries were encouraged to use the Model Report of Expenditures Statistics (MORES), and agreed to use it in reporting their expenditure data and metadata. (g) They also agreed to use the QAF and the Exhaustiveness questionnaire, provided the last one is simplified to better fit the situation in the Caribbean (particularly, replacing the information requested for Production and Intermediate Consumption with Value Added, elimination of the Income-side aggregates and introduction of the basic headings classification for the demand-side components). (h) A group of countries (Aruba, Dominica, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago) is identified as pilot countries for technical assistance. The consultant(s) will assist those countries in compiling forms and expenditure data, with financial support from ECLAC by the end of the firs quarter of 2012. The experts of pilot countries will share, by the end of the 2nd quarter of 2012, experience and lessons learned with other countries in the region. (i) Member countries took note of the requirements of the comparison resistant areas, namely Housing, Private Education, Private Health, Government, and Gross fixed Capital Formation. 3

(j) They noted the burden that these areas impose on the work of the national offices. Some countries requested technical assistance and support in some of those areas, especially gross fixed capital formation. (k) In this respect, countries have been encouraged to submit formal requests for technical assistance to ECLAC and CARTAC. (l) Member countries expressed concern about the tight timetable for the comparison resistant areas. These concerns were taken into consideration during the discussion of the timetable. (m) A second EGM on National Accounts and Comparison Resistant Areas, with participation of national accounts and price focal points, will be organized, ideally by the end of the first quarter 2012, with hosting country/organization and dates to be identified in Session 6. (n) The identification of national focal points was carried out. A preliminary list of the focal points will be transmitted with the minutes of the meeting, for confirmation. Official letters of nomination will be sent by ECLAC. (o) A preliminary agreement was reached on timetable for activities, to be confirmed after transmission of the minutes of the meeting to the Heads of the national offices. (p) The next meeting will be tentatively held on 16-19 January 2012, hosted by the ECCB (to be confirmed) - - - - - - - - - - - - 4

ANNEX I ATTENDANCE LIST A. Member countries Antigua and Barbuda Hazel Corbin (Ms.), Statistics Adviser, Statistics Department, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), ECCB Agency Office, SAGICOR Financial Complex, Factory Road, Antigua and Barbuda. Tel: +268 462-2489; Fax: +268 462-2490; Email: hazel.corbin@eccb-centralbank.org Bahamas Clarice Turnquest (Ms.), Assistant Director, National Accounts Section Supervisor, Department of Statistics, Ministry of Finance, Clarence Building, P.O. Box N-3904, Nassau. Tel: +242 397-3704; Fax: +242 326-0379; Email: clariceturnquest@bahamas.gov.bs Barbados Denise Haddock (Ms.), Senior Statistician, Trade and National Accounts Division, Barbados Statistical Service, Third Floor, National Insurance Building, Fairchild Street, Bridgetown. Tel: +246 427-7841; Fax: +246 435-2198: Email: dhaddock@barstats.gov.bb Belize Janelle Ogaldez (Ms.), Manager, Economic Statistics Section, Statistical Institute of Belize, 1902 Constitution Drive, Belmopan, Cayo District. Tel: +501 822-2207; Fax: +501 822-3206; Email: rogaldez@statisticsbelize.org.bz Dominica Lorna Prevost-Stephens (Mrs.), Statistician, Central Statistical Office, Ministry of Finance, First Floor, Financial Centre, Kennedy Avenue, Roseau; Tel: +767 266-3401; Fax: +767 449-9128; Email: lorna.prevost@gmail.com stephensl@dominica.gov.dm Grenada Margaret Frame (Ms.), Statistician, Economics Statistics, Central Statistical Office, Ministry of Finance, Ross Building, St. George s. Tel: +473 440-1369 +473 425-8741; Email: roldaframe@yahoo.com Jamaica Carol Coy (Ms.), Director, Economic Accounting Division, Statistical Institute of Jamaica, 7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10. Tel: +876 926-5311; Fax: +876 926-1138; Email: ccoy@statinja.gov.jm Montserrat Katrina Ryan (Ms.), Director of Statistics, Statistics Department, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Tel: +664 491-3797; Fax: +664 491-4632; Email: stats@gov.ms ryank@gov.ms Saint Lucia Sherma Beroo-Joseph (Ms.), National Accounts Statistician, Statistics Department, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Chreiki Building, Micoud Street, Castries. Tel: +758 285-3057; Fax: +758 451-8254; Email: shermab@stats.gov.lc St. Kitts and Nevis Carlton Phipps (Mr.), Senior National Accounts Statistician, Department of Statistics, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Bladen s Commercial Development, Basseterre. Tel: +869 467-1060; Fax: +869 466-7398; Email: stats@sisterisles.kn juniorphipps@gmail.com 5

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Louise Tash (Ms.), Senior Statistician, Statistical Office, Central Planning Division, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Administrative Building, Bay Street, Kingstown. Tel: +784 457-1738; Fax: +784 456-2430; Email: ltash@gov.vc Suriname Sjahkit Denise (Mrs.), Deputy Head, National Accounts, General Bureau of Statistics, Klipstenenstraat 5, Paramaribo. Tel: +597 474861 (x242); Fax: +597 425004; Email: denisesjahkit@yahoo.com Trinidad and Tobago Sally Ann Lucas (Ms.), Acting Statistician II, Central Statistical Office, National Statistics Building, 80 Independence Square, Port-of-Spain. Tel: (868) 623-5117 (x4403); Fax: (868) 625-3802; Email: sallyann.lucas@statistics.gov.tt B. Associate member countries Anguilla Rhina Meade (Ms.), Senior Statistical Officer, Anguilla Statistics Department, Old Court House Building, P.O. Box 60, The Valley AI-2640. Tel: +264 497-5731; Fax: +264 497-3986; Email: Rhina.Meade@gov.ai Aruba Roslyn Salas-Vrolijk (Mrs.), Deputy Head, National Accounts Department, Central Bureau of Statistics Aruba, L.G. Smith Boulevard 160, Oranjestad, Tel: +297 583-7433 (x239); Fax: +297 583-8057; Email: RVrolijk@cbs.aw Bermuda Jason Hayward (Mr.), Assistant Statistician, Bermuda Government Department of Statistics. Cedar Park Centre, 48 Cedar Avenue, P.O. Box HM 3015, Hamilton HM11. Tel: +441 297-7831; Fax: +441 295-8390; Email: jphayward@gov.bm Cayman Islands Yvonne Newland (Ms.), Senior Statistician/Head, SNA Unit, Economics and Statistics Office, Government Administrative Building. George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-9000. Tel: +345 244-1615; Fax: +345 949-8782; Email: yvonne.newland@gov.ky ynew2001@yahoo.com Curacao Lorette Ford (Ms.), Senior Statistician, Central Bureau of Statistics, Fort Amsterdam z/n, Willemstad. Tel: +599 9-463-0180; Fax: +599 9-461-1696; Email: lorette.ford@curacao-gov.an lorfor@yahoo.com Turks and Caicos Denika Been (Ms.), Statistician, Department of Economic Planning and Statistics, Ministry of Finance, South Base, Grand Turk. Tel: +649 946-2801 (x11215) +649 331-3453 (M); Fax: +649 946-2557; Email: dgbeen@gov.tc denika_b@yahoo.com 6

C. Intergovernmental Organizations M. Arnold McIntyre (Dr.), Programme Coordinator, Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre, First Floor, The Business Centre, Upton St. Michael BB11103, Barbados. Tel: +246 434-2840; Fax: +246 437-3159; Email: amcintyre@imf.org Maureen Blokland (Ms.), National Accounts Statistics Adviser, Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre, First Floor, The Business Centre, Upton St. Michael BB11103, Barbados. Tel: +246 434-2847 +246 234-5690 (M); Fax: +246 437-3159; Email: mblokland@imf.org Shirley-Ann Lovell (Ms.), Administrative Assistant, Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre, First Floor, The Business Centre, Upton St. Michael BB11103, Barbados. Tel: +246 434-2850; Fax: +246 437-3159; Email: slovell@imf.org Christopher Richards (Mr.), Administrative Assistant, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, P.O. Box 10864, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: +592 222-0001 0075 (x3216); Fax: +592 222-0098; Email: crichards@caricom.org Nada Hamadeh (Ms.), Statistics Officer, Development Data Group, World Bank, 1818 H Street, NW. Washington D.C. 20433, USA. Tel: +202 473-3201; Email: nhamadeh@worldbank.org D. Secretariat Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Headquarters Avenida Dag Hammarskjold 3477, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile Giovanni Savio (Mr.), Chief, Economic and Environment Statistics Unit, Division of Statistics and Economic Projections, Room CL-13. Tel: +562 210-2508; Email: giovanni.savio@cepal.org Claudia de Camino (Ms.), Statistic Assistant, Division of Statistics and Economic Projections, Room CL-14. Tel: +562 210-2174; Email: claudia.decamino@cepal.org Jan Redeby (Mr.), Consultant, Division of Statistics and Economic Projections>, Tel: +266 2-231- 1367; Email: jan@redeby.co.ls ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 1 Chancery Lane, P.O. Box 1113, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Sylvan Roberts (Mr.), Statistician/Coordinator, Statistics Unit. Tel: +868 224-8026; Fax: +868 623-8485; Email: sylvan.roberts@eclac.org 7

ANNEX III - FOCAL POINTS A. Member countries Antigua and Barbuda Mr. Statchel Edwards, Director of Statistics, statchel.edwards@yahoo.com Bahamas Clarice Turnquest (Ms.), Assistant Director, National Accounts Section Supervisor, Department of Statistics, Ministry of Finance, Clarence Building, P.O. Box N-3904, Nassau. Tel: +242 397-3704; Fax: +242 326-0379; Email: clariceturnquest@bahamas.gov.bs Barbados Denise Haddock (Ms.), Senior Statistician, Trade and National Accounts Division, Barbados Statistical Service, Third Floor, National Insurance Building, Fairchild Street, Bridgetown. Tel: +246 427-7841; Fax: +246 435-2198: Email: dhaddock@barstats.gov.bb Belize Janelle Ogaldez (Ms.), Manager, Economic Statistics Section, Statistical Institute of Belize, 1902 Constitution Drive, Belmopan, Cayo District. Tel: +501 822-2207; Fax: +501 822-3206; Email: rogaldez@statisticsbelize.org.bz Dominica Lorna Prevost-Stephens (Mrs.), Statistician, Central Statistical Office, Ministry of Finance, First Floor, Financial Centre, Kennedy Avenue, Roseau; Tel: +767 266-3401; Fax: +767 449-9128; Email: lorna.prevost@gmail.com stephensl@dominica.gov.dm Grenada Margaret Frame (Ms.), Statistician, Economics Statistics, Central Statistical Office, Ministry of Finance, Ross Building, St. George s. Tel: +473 440-1369 +473 425-8741; Email: roldaframe@yahoo.com Jamaica Carol Coy (Ms.), Director, Economic Accounting Division, Statistical Institute of Jamaica, 7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10. Tel: +876 926-5311; Fax: +876 926-1138; Email: ccoy@statinja.gov.jm Montserrat Katrina Ryan (Ms.), Director of Statistics, Statistics Department, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Tel: +664 491-3797; Fax: +664 491-4632; Email: stats@gov.ms ryank@gov.ms Saint Lucia Sherma Beroo-Joseph (Ms.), National Accounts Statistician, Statistics Department, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Chreiki Building, Micoud Street, Castries. Tel: +758 285-3057; Fax: +758 451-8254; Email: shermab@stats.gov.lc St. Kitts and Nevis Carlton Phipps (Mr.), Senior National Accounts Statistician, Department of Statistics, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Bladen s Commercial Development, Basseterre. Tel: +869 467-1060; Fax: +869 466-7398; Email: stats@sisterisles.kn juniorphipps@gmail.com 8

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Louise Tash (Ms.), Senior Statistician, Statistical Office, Central Planning Division, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Administrative Building, Bay Street, Kingstown. Tel: +784 457-1738; Fax: +784 456-2430; Email: ltash@gov.vc Suriname Sjahkit Denise (Mrs.), Deputy Head, National Accounts, General Bureau of Statistics, Klipstenenstraat 5, Paramaribo. Tel: +597 474861 (x242); Fax: +597 425004; Email: denisesjahkit@yahoo.com Trinidad and Tobago Alisha Kalloo McCalman (Mrs.), Statistician I, National Income Division, Central Statistical Office, National Statistics Building, 80 Independence Square, Port-of-Spain. Tel: (868) 623-5333 (x4448) (868) 738-3004 (M); Fax: (868) 625-3802; Email: alisha.kalloo@statistics.gov.tt alishamkalloo@hotmail.com B. Associate member countries Anguilla Rhina Meade (Ms.), Senior Statistical Officer, Anguilla Statistics Department, Old Court House Building, P.O. Box 60, The Valley AI-2640. Tel: +264 497-5731; Fax: +264 497-3986; Email: Rhina.Meade@gov.ai Aruba Roslyn Salas-Vrolijk (Mrs.), Deputy Head, National Accounts Department, Central Bureau of Statistics Aruba, L.G. Smith Boulevard 160, Oranjestad, Tel: +297 583-7433 (x239); Fax: +297 583-8057; Email: RVrolijk@cbs.aw Bermuda Jason Hayward (Mr.), Assistant Statistician, Bermuda Government Department of Statistics. Cedar Park Centre, 48 Cedar Avenue, P.O. Box HM 3015, Hamilton HM11. Tel: +441 297-7831; Fax: +441 295-8390; Email: jphayward@gov.bm Cayman Islands Yvonne Newland (Ms.), Senior Statistician/Head, SNA Unit, Economics and Statistics Office, Government Administrative Building. George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-9000. Tel: +345 244-1615; Fax: +345 949-8782; Email: yvonne.newland@gov.ky ynew2001@yahoo.com Curacao Lorette Ford (Ms.), Senior Statistician, Central Bureau of Statistics, Fort Amsterdam z/n, Willemstad. Tel: +599 9-463-0180; Fax: +599 9-461-1696; Email: lorette.ford@curacao-gov.an lorfor@yahoo.com Turks and Caicos Denika Been (Ms.), Statistician, Department of Economic Planning and Statistics, Ministry of Finance, South Base, Grand Turk. Tel: +649 946-2801 (x11215) +649 331-3453 (M); Fax: +649 946-2557; Email: dgbeen@gov.tc denika_b@yahoo.com 9

ExpertGroupMeetingonNationalAccountsintheCaribbean 2011RoundoftheInternationalComparisonProgram Jointlyorganizedby: UNEconomicCommissionforLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean,CARTACandCARICOM 2628September2011 PortofSpain ProvisionalAgenda Monday,26September2011 09:00-09:15Registration Session1:OpeningoftheseminarObjectives,organization,andadministrativematters 09:15-09:40Welcomeremarks(UNECLAC,CARTACandCARICOM) 09:40-10:00Introductionofparticipants 10:00-10:10Adoptionoftheagenda 10:10-10:30GeneraloverviewoftheICP2011:NationalAccountsActivities,ReportingRequirements andtimetable (World Bank Global Office) 10:30-10:45Coffeebreak Session2:NationalAccountsFrameworkintheCaribbean 10:45-12:00National Accounts Practices in the Caribbean Countries (UN-ECLAC Consultant) 12:00-12:30Strengthening Capacity in National Accounts in the Caribbean Community - Achievements of Project Activities and Follow-up Work (CARICOM)

12:30-13:00Roundtable 13:00-14:30Lunchbreak Session3:NationalAccountsActivitiesintheICP GeneralGuidelines 14:30-15:30 NationalAccountsFrameworkintheICP(UN-ECLAC) 15:30-16:30 ICPClassificationsandBasicHeadings(UN-ECLAC Consultant) 16:30-17:00Discussion Tuesday,27September2011 Session3:NationalAccountsActivitiesintheICP GeneralGuidelines(continuation) 09:00-10:00 GDPExhaustivenessandQualityAssuranceFrameworkQuestionnaires (UN-ECLAC) 10:00-11:00 ApproachesforSplittingGDPExpendituresandMORES(UN-ECLAC) 11:00-11:15 Coffeebreak 11:15-11:45 (continuation)approachesforsplittinggdpexpendituresandmores(un-eclac) 11:45-12:30 ExpenditureDataValidation (WorldBankGlobalOffice) Session4:OverviewofComparisonResistantAreasRelatedtotheDemandSide 12:30-13:00HousingandEducation(UNECLAC) 13:00-14:30Lunchbreak 14:30-15:30HealthandGovernment(WorldBankGlobalOffice) 15:30-16:00GrossFixedCapitalFormation(UNECLACConsultant) Session5:NationalAccountsNeedsandCountries ParticipationintheICP2011Round 16:00-17:00RoundTableDiscussion

Wednesday28September Session6:GeneralPlanningandCoordinationofICPActivities 09:00-10:00 Statisticalcapacitybuildingprogrammesandactivitiesplannedfor201113inthefieldof NationalAccounts(CARTAC) 10:00-11:00 Statisticalcapacitybuildingprogrammesandactivitiesplannedfor201113inthefieldof NationalAccounts(CARICOM) 11:00-11:15 Coffeebreak 11:15 11:45 Roundtable:Identificationofnationalcoordinationteamsandfocalpoints 11:45 13:00 Calendarofactivitiesfor201112andnextsteps 13:00-14:30Lunchbreak Session7ConcludingSession 14:30 16:00Preliminaryseminarconclusionsandagreements 16:00 16:30Closingremarksandevaluationoftheseminar

Annex Timetable