General Info

Objectives

The overall, long- term objective is to promote comparability of statistics in the ASEAN region through the formulation of an appropriate and comprehensive scheme for statistical classifications for the ASEAN countries, building on the currently available international classifications.

The immediate objective is to ensure that the region’s specific activities and products in agricultural and industrial sectors are well represented in the improvement and revision of International Standard Classification on all Economic Activities (ISIC) for 2007 revisions and Central Product Classifications (CPC), by providing the necessary inputs to the UNSD.

Target Participants

The Conference shall be participated in by government officials in charge of statistical classifications, especially in ISIC, CPC, as well as HS from ASEAN Members Countries, Representatives from ASEAN Countries, ASEAN Secretariat, Representatives from Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), UN Economic and Social Council for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), UN Statistics Division (UNSD), International Labor Organization (ILO) and Members of the Technical Committee on Statistical Standards and Classifications shall also be invited as observers.

Mechanics of the Conference

The Conference shall be conducted in several sessions. Some sessions will focus on Country experiences in treating boundaries issues and in the implementation of the ISIC across ASEAN Member Countries. The process of harmonization will start with a review of statistical classifications in the ASEAN region showing commonalities and differences among ASEAN Member Countries.

The following are proposed topics for discussion:

  • Level of conformity with ISIC Rev. 4;
  • Policy Guidelines of Modifications;
  • Correspondence Table;
  • Industries (and sub-industries) of special importance (needing code extension, separate category, treatment);
  • Country experiences in treating boundaries issues;
  • Inputs for UNSD More Detailed Structure and Issues; and
  • Country experiences in the implementation of ISIC and CPC.

Each topic of topics 1 to 5 shall be prepared by 2 countries. Experts/consultants will be involved.

Outputs

Output shall include the following:

  • Draft ASEAN Position on more detailed structure and issues (as a recommendation to UNSD); and

  • Draft ASEAN Consensus No. 1 on Some Policy Issues Concerning ASEAN Classifications (as a recommendation to AHSOM).

Arrangements

The costs of travel and accommodation shall be borne by the participants.

The Projected Conference costs of $5,000 shall cover expenses for communications, rental of equipment and venue, supplies and materials, Conference Kits and other incidental expenses.

Schedule and Venue of the Meeting

The Conference will be conducted simultaneously with the 9th National Convention on Statistics and the International Conference on Official Poverty Statistics on October 4-6, 2004 at the Tower Wing EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City.