Monday, October 15, 2012

IMF launches Japan-funded project to improve external sector statistics in Asia and Pacific countries


The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Japan launched a three-year project to improve external sector statistics in Asia and Pacific countries.
The project, funded by the Japanese government and implemented by the IMF, began this week with an opening workshop for mid- and senior-level central bank officials of the 10 Asian beneficiary countries, including Nepal Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. A similar event is planned for mid-November, to launch the project for selected Pacific Island beneficiary countries.
“On behalf of the Bank of Thailand, I welcome all these country representatives to Thailand,” assistant governor of the Bank of Thailand Sibporn Thavornchan, said at the opening ceremony today.
“I also wish to express our appreciation of the IMF’s initiative to improve external sector statistics in our region, and for Japan’s generous funding for this important project,” she said, adding that the workshop represents an important opportunity for countries in this region to share experiences, enhance regional cooperation and discuss common challenges in the area of external sector data compilation.
The project aims at addressing external sector statistics quality issues and close data gaps in key areas including balance of payments, international investment position, services, remittances, external debt, direct investment, and portfolio investment. The IMF’s Statistics Department will oversee the project, which will consist of technical assistance missions and workshops through 2015, primarily conducted by experts who will provide practical hands-on guidance to external sector statistics compilers in the region.
“Improving the quality of statistics across this region is crucial to those organizations and individuals who depend on reliable data for their work,” first secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Thailand Harutaka Murofushi, said at the opening ceremony.
“The Japanese Government supports these countries’ efforts towards this end," he sadi, adding that the reasons it does so through the IMF are threefold: top-ranking knowledge and expertise; effectiveness of policy and institutional advice; and cooperational dialogue that helps countries understand and appreciate the technical assistance provided.
Deputy chief of the Balance of Payments Division of the IMF’s Statistics Department Eduardo Valdivia-Velarde, thanked the Japanese Government for its important contribution to the project, and the Bank of Thailand for its excellent support in the organisation of the event.

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