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Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board Special Data Dissemination Standard (AS PROVIDED TO THE IMF BY THE RESPECTIVE COUNTRY)   Ecuador Merchandise trade (Comercio exterior ) Last Posted: Jul-29-2008 Last Certified: Jan-7-2009 Last Updated: Feb-22-2008 Contact Person(s)          Printer Friendly Page   Ms. Elba Vásconez, Banco Central del Ecuador (Central Bank of Ecuador) (CBE), Avenida 10 de Agosto y Briceño, P.O. Box 339, Quito, Ecuador   Phone : 593 2 2572522, extension 2501 (CBE)   Fax : 593 2 2954969   Email : evasconez@bce.ec  Dissemination Formats Summary Methodology Access National Summary Data Page Cross-country comparisons: access the DSBB metadata query facility

The Data: Coverage, Periodicity, and Timeliness
Coverage characteristics	5.1.1 Statistical presentation Data are disseminated in U.S. dollars for total imports (f.o.b. and c.i.f.) and total exports (f.o.b.), before adjustments for balance of payments.   Data are disseminated in U.S. dollars for total imports (f.o.b. and c.i.f.) and total exports (f.o.b.), before adjustments for balance of payments. Data cover the entire merchandise trade that is registered in the consume procedure (regime) for export (embarked merchandise) and import (nationalised merchandise). It includes electricity, non monetary gold, petroleum and refinated petroleum, software and other merchandise registered by the customs office. Data on merchandise trade do not include water, military assets, non monetary gold, non registered merchandise trade, trade in off-shore oilplatform, trade of ships or airships that make exchange of goods trade. The data are based on customs declarations and are recorded in U.S. dollars. The data are compiled in accordance with the fifth edition of the IMF's "Balance of Payments Manual".
Periodicity	4.1.1 Periodicity Monthly
Timeliness	4.1.2 Timeliness 27 working days after the end of the reference month.
Access by the Public
Advance dissemination of release calendar	5.1.3 Advance release calendar A calendar showing the precise release dates of all the Central Bank's economic publications is disseminated on the Central Bank's website (http://www.bce.fin.ec) in January of each year. An advance release calendar giving one-quarter-ahead notice of the precise release date is disseminated on the Internet on the IMF's DSBB (http://dsbb.imf.org) . A notice to this effect is published in the CBE's hardcopy publication "Información Estadística Mensual".
Simultaneous release to all interested parties	5.1.4 Simultaneous release The data are released simultaneously to all interested parties by publishing the Central Bank's monthly publication 'Información Estadística Mensual''. The publication is first issued on the Central Bank's website (http://www.bce.fin.ec) and is subsequently issued in a hardcopy version. The public are informed of this through a regular notice published in the CBE's monthly publication "Información Estadística Mensual".
Integrity
Dissemination of terms and conditions under which official statistics are produced, including those relating to the confidentiality of individually identifiable information	0.1.1 Responsibility for collecting, processing, and disseminating statistics Central Bank of Ecuador The data are compiled in accordance with the terms and conditions of the following: the Statistics Law of Ecuador (established by Executive Decree No. 323 and published in the Official Registry No.82 of May 7, 1976); the Monetary Board Regulation No. DBCE-097-BCE of May 16, 2001; the Executive Decree No. 1589 published in the Official Registry No. 356 of June 13, 2001; and the Statistics Conduct Code (approved by the Monetary Board through Regulation No. JM-626-BCE of May 13, 1997). The Monetary Board Regulation No. DBCE-097-BCE of May 16, 2001, and the Executive Decree No. 1589 published in the Official Registry No. 356 of June 13, 2001, stipulate that the Central Bank of Ecuador must compile and publish on a timely basis information on monetary, financial, fiscal, external and real statistics; and elaborate the statistical synthesis and previsions of the real sector. The Statistics Conduct Code: "Normas para la producción y difusión de las estadísticas del Banco Central del Ecuador" (Norms for production and dissemination of the Central Bank of Ecuador statistics), establishes the guidelines for the compilation and dissemination of macroeconomic statistics. Merchandise trade The data on merchandise trade are compiled and disseminated by the Central Bank of Ecuador (CBE), based on the Executive Decree 1589 of June 13, 2001, published in the Official Gazette, No. 356 of June 27, 2001. That decree approved the Charter of the CBE, which describes the organic structure of the units making up the bank, including the Directorate of Economic Statistics whose mission is to “systematize monetary, financial, fiscal, external and real sector statistical indicators; prepare summary statistics; and prepare forecasts of real sector variables.” The Rules for the Production and Dissemination of Statistics of the CBE (Annex 1 of Monetary Board Resolution JM-626-CBE of May 13, 1997)—hereinafter, Rules—state that the CBE is responsible for compiling summary statistics, including the data on merchandise trade. 0.1.2 Data sharing and coordination among data producing agencies The Central Bank of Ecuador is responsible for preparing the country's merchandise trade.    The data on merchandise trade are compiled and disseminated by the CBE from basic data from Corporación Aduanera Ecuatoriana (CAE) (Ecuadorian Customs Corporation).  The CBE coordinates with such institution the transmission of those data in the required timeframes and formats. 0.1.3 Confidentiality of individual reporters' data Central Bank of Ecuador The Statistics Law of Ecuador establishes the principles of confidentiality, thereby forbidding disclosure of information for any individual person or private entity. Merchandise trade The Statistics Law of May 1976, published in the Official Gazette, No. 323, states in its Article 21 that individual data obtained for the purposes of statistics and censuses shall be restricted; as a result, no disclosure is allowed of individual data of any type; nor may such data be used for any other purposes, such as taxation, conscription, or judicial investigation. The Law specifies that “only numerical summaries, overall aggregates, additions, and, in general, impersonal data, can be disclosed.” In surveys and other statistical research, reporting entities are informed that the background information provided will be used solely for statistical purposes. 0.1.4 Ensuring statistical reporting The CBE Charter gives it legal authority to demand that data be reported to it. However, as part of the national statistics system, the CBE has the authority to request data. Taking account of the fact that the data provided to the CBE by reporting entities, individuals, and institutions are handed over mainly on a voluntary basis, means are sought to maintain good relations that facilitate data transmission. In turn, the statistics compiled are made available to reporting entities, and they are thus provided with a service that encourages collaboration with the CBE. Given its prestige, the CBE generally obtains the requested data. 0.2.2 Ensuring efficient use of resources The design of a strategic plan and the preparation of the pertinent budget facilitate the allocation and efficient use of the available resources. 0.3.1 Monitoring user requirements Although there is no formal process of consultation, continuous contact is maintained with users, who raise questions, request clarifications, and ask for additional specific data. 0.4.1 Quality policy The CBE attaches great importance to improving the quality of the statistics it produces, as required by its Charter, the above-mentioned Rules, and other actions aimed at improving the quality of its products. 0.4.2 Quality monitoring The CBE tries to identify problems linked to various phases of data collection, processing, and dissemination, and efforts are continuously made to solve them. 0.4.3 Quality planning Account is taken of the tradeoff between accuracy and timeliness when users are informed of the provisional nature of figures published as first estimates and therefore subject to revision.   Account is taken of the need to improve data quality when the work program is being planned. Contacts are maintained with various units using the merchandise trade prepared by the CBE, to analyze the data series and identify new needs. 1.1.1 Impartiality of statistics The rules for the production and dissemination of CBE statistics explicitly state that “official statistics must be compiled and processed professionally.” Accordingly, the CBE “will act in accordance with strictly technical considerations, governed by scientific principles and professional ethics.” Statistical work is not subject to undue influence, external or internal. Professional competence is the basic principle for the hiring and promotion of staff. 1.1.2 Selection of sources, methodology, and modes of dissemination The rules for the production and dissemination of CBE statistics also specify that it is “the prerogative of the CBE to choose the sources it considers most appropriate, mindful of quality, timeliness, cost, and the workload of the reporting entities.” The following is also indicated: “Users who believe that the procedures indicated are not the best are free to communicate their differences in writing to the General Management...” The unit that produces the merchandise trade, in consultation with the Directorate of Economic Statistics to which it belongs, chooses the sources and methods and the statistical techniques that it deems most appropriate for making estimates. 1.1.3 Commenting on erroneous interpretation and misuse of statistics According to the CBE’s Rules, “Users who believe that the procedures indicated are not the best are free to communicate their differences in writing to the General Management of the CBE. The CBE’s technical units may also respond to incorrect interpretations or inappropriate use of the data.”    The CBE has occasionally made comments and provided clarifications in communications media or specialized publications. Workshops have sometimes been conducted for journalists to explain the use of the data and any changes in the methodology used for compiling merchandise trade statistics, so as to prevent incorrect interpretations. 1.2.1 Disclosure of terms and conditions for statistical collection, processing, and dissemination Central Bank of Ecuador  The Statistics Law of Ecuador is available on the Central Bank's website http://www.bce.fin.ec/contenido.php?CNT=ARB0000920. The Monetary Board Regulation No. DBCE-097-BCE of May 16, 2001, and the Executive Decree No. 1589 published in the Official Registry No. 356 of June 13, 2001, are available in Spanish on the CBE's website http://www.bce.fin.ec/contenido.php?CNT=ARB0000456. The Statistics Conduct Code, "Normas para la producción y difusión de las estadísticas del Banco Central del Ecuador" (Norms for production and dissemination of the Central Bank of Ecuador statistics), is available in Spanish on the Central Bank's website http://www.bce.fin.ec/contenido.php?CNT=ARB0000776. Merchandise trade The laws, rules, and regulations under which the statistical products are compiled, are published on the CBE’s web page. 1.3.1 Guidelines for staff behavior The CBE has established a code of ethics that is well known to the staff.
Identification of internal government access to data before release	1.2.2 Internal governmental access to statistics prior to release Central Bank of Ecuador No government officials outside the Central Bank have access to the data before their release to the public. Merchandise trade No governmental authority has access to the data prior to their release. The merchandise trade are released simultaneously to the public and to the authorities.
Identification of ministerial commentary on the occasion of statistical releases	1.2.3 Attribution of statistical products Central Bank of Ecuador No ministerial commentary is attached to the release of the data. Merchandise trade Data released to the public are clearly identified as products of the CBE, whose seal is clearly shown on its publications and other means of dissemination. The source of data provided is indicated, whether in the case of the CBE’s own products or of its reproduction of data from other statistical agencies.
Provision of information about revision and advance notice of major changes in methodology	4.3.1 Revision schedule The data are provisional when first released and are published as provisional for the first six months after the end of the reference period, and as semi-definitive for the 7th through the 12th month of the reference period. Final data become available 13 months after the end of the reference period. 4.3.2 Identification of preliminary and/or revised data The data are disseminated with footnotes which provide users with explanations about the revision of the data.   Changes in methodology are announced at the time the data are released. In the future advance notice will be given of changes in methodology. 1.2.4 Advance notice of major changes in methodology, source data, and statistical techniques. Changes in methodology are announced at the time the data are released. In the future advance notice will be given of changes in methodology.
Quality
Dissemination of documentation on methodology and sources used in preparing statistics	5.2.1 Dissemination of documentation on concepts, scope, classifications, basis of recording, data sources, and statistical techniques Methodological information about the merchandise trade data prepared by the Central Bank is published in "Metodología de la Información Estadística Mensual" (Methodology to Monthly Statistical Information), second edition, August 1997. This publication is available upon request from the Departamento de Publicaciones Económicas, Banco Central del Ecuador. (Phone: 593 2 2572522, extension 2023. Fax: 593 2 2572522, extensions 4020 and 4021. E-mail opazmino@bce.ec) This document is also available on the web (http://www.bce.fin.ec). (See also summary methodology)
Dissemination of component detail, reconciliations with related data, and statistical frameworks that support statistical cross-checks and provide assurance of reasonableness	4.2.3 Intersectoral and cross-domain consistency The CBE's "Información Estadística Mensual" (Monthly Statistical Information) publishes monthly data for the last two years and annual data for the last ten years for (1) exports ( f.o.b.), and imports (f.o.b. and c.i.f.), broken down by main products and countries, and (2) the trade balance (f.o.b.). The annual CBE publications "Boletín Anuario" (Yearbook Annual), and "Memoria Anual" (Annual Report) publish data on the annual merchandise trade, which allow statistical cross-checks. 5.1.2 Dissemination media and format Annual and monthly statistics are disseminated by various media, and users are informed that they can obtain time series covering longer periods, free of charge at the CBE’s Statistic Office.
Footnotes Last posted: Date IMF staff last posted an update to these metadata on the DSBB. Last certified: Date subscriber last officially certified the accuracy of these metadata. Last updated: Date subscriber last submitted an update of these metadata to the IMF.