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External Sector
DATA CATEGORY: Merchandise Trade
CORE INDICATOR: Total exports and total imports
I. Data Characteristics
Coverage
Briefly describe the key characteristics of the data; i.e., the features of which a user must be aware to use the data appropriately. These include the unit of measure, scope (e.g., geographic, institutional, product), statistical characteristics (e.g., seasonal adjustment, index number base year), basic data source, and accounting conventions.
Data on imports/exports of goods are compiled from customs declarations, which are processed by the Customs Committee (CC) and the aggregated results are forwarded to the State Statistical Committee (SSC). The data does not cover transit goods passing through the country, temporary imports or exports, securities, banknotes, coins in circulation, monetary gold, etc. The valuation of imports is on a CIF basis and exports are valued on a FOB basis. Adjustments to the trade data as reported by the CC are not made. The data are presented by months and on a cumulative basis from the beginning of the year. Data are compiled by main economic groups of countries, selected countries, and by commodity groups (Harmonized System)
Periodicity:
Identify the frequency of compilation and dissemination of the data (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annual)
Monthly.
Timeliness:
Identify the lapse of time between the end of a reference period (or a reference date) and the dissemination of the data.
Within 30-35 days after the reference month.
II. Quality
Documentation of Methodology:
Identify any publicly available statement of methodology that describes how the data are compiled and the sources of data.
The description of sources and methods is available from the contact person.
Data to Support Cross-checks and Assurance of Reasonableness:
Describe the kind and extent of detail of published data, the statistical frameworks (including accounting identities and statistical relationships), and the comparisons and reconciliations that are available to assist users in assessing the quality of the data.
The publication "Foreign Trade" includes detailed data on imports and exports by countries and by product groups following the Harmonized System classification. Detailed data are also published quarterly in the "Statistical Bulletin".
The imports/exports data differ from the balance of payments data published by the National Bank of Azerbaijan (NBA). The difference arises because of adjustments, for example, to account for "shuttle" trade that are made by the NBA.
In case of need data can be adjusted.
III. Plans for Improvement
Describe short-term (in the next year) and medium-term (2-5 years) plans for making improvements in the data category and note any improvements that have been implemented in the past two years. Technical or other assistance needs that may be required for implementing these plans should also be noted, if applicable. If it has been determined that there are no shortcomings that need to be addressed, this determination should be explicitly stated.
Recent Improvements:
Short-Term Plans:
Quality of data will be further improved by undertaking comparisons with the trade data of neighboring countries (mirror statistics).
Medium-Term Plans:
None
Technical Assistance/Financing Needs/Other Prerequisites:
Short-Term:
None
Medium-Term:
None
IV. Dissemination Formats
For each publication or data release, check the box corresponding to the frequency of release and indicate the title and language(s) on the next line. Identify an appropriate contact person, if different from first page.
Publication:
Monthly:
"Socio-Economic Development" (Azeri)
"Bulletin of External Trade" (Azeri)
"Statistical Bulletin" (Azeri and English)
Annual:
"Statistical Indicators of the Azerbaijan Republic" (Azeri and English)
Other:
"Foreign Trade of Azerbaijan" (Azeri and English)
Internet:
http://www.azstat.org
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