Introduction
In an increasingly globalized economy, international trade in services plays a critical role in economic development, competitiveness, and integration into global value chains. Services such as finance, telecommunications, information technology, professional services, and transport are not only vital to domestic economies but also form a significant share of cross-border trade. The importance of comprehensive, timely, and reliable statistics on international trade in services has grown substantially, particularly in the context of digitalization and the increasing prominence of Mode 3 (commercial presence) and Mode 4 (movement of natural persons) trade. Policymakers, trade negotiators, economists, and business leaders rely on such data to make informed decisions, design effective policies, and evaluate trade performance. However, compiling statistics on trade in services presents unique challenges. Unlike goods, services are often intangible, may not cross borders physically, and involve complex delivery modes. This necessitates a sound understanding of the underlying concepts, definitions, classifications, and data collection methods recommended in international statistical frameworks such as the Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services 2010 (MSITS 2010) and the BPM6.
Objectives
This workshop aims to build the capacity of stakeholders involved in the collection, compilation, and dissemination of trade in services statistics. It will provide a platform for sharing experiences, discussing methodological developments, exploring data sources (such as enterprise and household surveys, administrative records, and big data), and identifying ways to improve data quality and availability. The workshop also aligns with international efforts to enhance the comparability and usefulness of services trade statistics, support evidence-based policymaking, and strengthen national statistical systems.