Background
Countries continue to face gaps in collecting, interpreting, and using statistics on trade in services, making it harder to design effective trade and development strategies. Following recommendations from the informal working group on data for trade in services and development policies, the Primer on data for trade in services and development policies was developed, to respond to these challenges. It provides practical guidance on how to identify and use data from national, regional, and international sources, while also helping to pinpoint data gaps and capacity-building needs. This webinar will emphasize how the Primer can be applied in Asia-Pacific policy settings, reflecting regional priorities and realities.
Objective
This webinar aims to (i) share the Primer’s key messages and policy insights; (ii) demonstrate how the Primer can be applied in real policy settings; (iii) foster dialogue on improving services trade data and its use in strategy and negotiations; and (iv) collect feedback to inform future updates. It will include:
- a presentation of the Primer’s main messages and why they matter for evidence-based services trade policymaking;
- a panel discussing Asia-Pacific–relevant examples showing the relevance of the Primer for strategy and policy processes at national and international levels;
- an open discussion to gather perspectives from Member States and participants.
The intended outcome is to support more effective use of services trade data in policymaking and to collect actionable feedback that can inform future iterations of the Primer and related implementation support.
Participation
Open to diplomats, policymakers, statisticians and analysts (including from national statistical offices and central banks), trade and sectoral ministries, services trade promotion organizations, industry stakeholders, academics, and representatives of international and regional organization, particularly those working on services trade and development issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
Registration
Participation is online. Participants can register via the registration link.
Documents
Primer on data for trade in services and development policies
Report of the informal working group on data for services, trade and development policies
