The Philippines through the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN-US Technical Assistance and Training Facility (ASEAN-US Facility) is hosting a Workshop on the ASEAN Catch-Up Programme on the System of National Accounts (SNA) to be held on 16-17 October 2008 at the Pan Pacific Manila Hotel, Philippines.

The workshop is being organized to evaluate the findings and recommendations of an assessment of SNA 1993 implementation in ASEAN and to agree on relevant policy recommendations to be elevated to the ASEAN Heads of Statistical Offices for direction and/or collective decision.  The workshop will discuss the proposed standards and catch-up programme in SNA implementation, including applications of the "ASEAN-help-ASEAN" concept and the formation of an ASEAN Advisory Expert Group on Economic Statistics.  The creation of an "ASEAN-help-ASEAN" model was aimed at addressing gaps in the implementation of SNA 93, whereby ASEAN Member States that have successfully implemented the SNA 93 could assist other countries, while the ASEAN Advisory Expert Group on SNA will provide a venue to discuss and answer implementation questions and provide technical guidance.

The workshop is expected to: (a) agree on proposed minimum standards in terms of milestones reached in the SNA 93 implementation; (b) agree on the framework and activities of the SNA Catch-Up Programme, including an appropriate "ASEAN-help-ASEAN" model, towards meeting these standards; (c) discuss selected implementation issues; and (d) formulate the terms of reference of the proposed regional advisory expert group on economic statistics and the regular SNA forum.

Around 39 participants are expected to attend, which will include key officials of agencies mandated with the compilation of the national accounts, balance of payments, and finance statistics in ASEAN Member States  as well as international statistical agencies engaged in SNA development.