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Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board Special Data Dissemination Standard (AS PROVIDED TO THE IMF BY THE RESPECTIVE COUNTRY)   Hungary Merchandise trade Last Posted: Oct-8-2008 Last Certified: Dec-29-2008 Last Updated: Oct-2-2008 Contact Person(s)          Printer Friendly Page   Mr. Akos Gerencser, Foreign Trade Statistics Department, Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO) , 5-7, Keleti Karoly Street, Budapest, Hungary H-1024   Phone : 36 1 3451275   Fax : 36 1 3456803   Email : akos.gerencser@ksh.hu  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 Hungarian forints (HUF), euros, and U.S. dollars on total exports (at f.o.b. values), total imports (at c.i.f. values), and the trade balance. Volume indices (the same period of the previous year=100) and seasonally adjusted volume indices (1998=100) are also disseminated. The INTRA and EXTRA trade are published as a unit.
Periodicity	4.1.1 Periodicity Monthly
Timeliness	4.1.2 Timeliness 40 days after the end of the reference month.
Access by the Public
Advance dissemination of release calendar	5.1.3 Advance release calendar An advance release calendar that gives a half year-ahead notice of the precise release dates is disseminated on HCSO Internet website (http://www.ksh.hu/).
Simultaneous release to all interested parties	5.1.4 Simultaneous release The data are released simultaneously to all interested parties at 9:00 am local time by issuing the press release External Trade - First Estimates.
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 Hungarian Central Statistical Office The data are compiled under the terms of the 1993 Law on Statistics of Hungary (XLVI/1993) and the 1992 Law on Protection of Personal Data and the Disclosure of Data of Public Interest (Law LXIII/1992). Under the terms of the Law on Statistics of Hungary, the results of statistical data collections shall be open to the public. Merchandise trade The Customs Act provides for the collection of the EXTRASTAT data by the Customs Administration. Legislative framework: From May 1, 2004, the methodology applied for the compilation of external trade statistics in Hungary has changed, according to the legal requirements of the European Union coming into force. Since accession, the earlier, entirely customs based statistics, have two sub-systems, which are to be operated according to EU regulations. Rules for statistics relating to the trade of goods between member states (intra-EU trade) were set by Council Regulation (EEC) 638/2004 and Commission Regulation (EC) 1982/2004, while for statistics relating to the trading of goods with third counties (extra-EU trade) Council Regulation (EC) 1172/95 and Commission Regulation (EC) 1917/2000 applied. 0.1.2 Data sharing and coordination among data producing agencies Hungarian Central Statistical Office According to the Law on Statistics of Hungary: An institution that belongs to the official statistical service shall be required to transfer data, which are available from the implementation of the national statistical data collection programm to another institution belonging to the official statistical service, if it so requests, for the fulfilment of the latter’s tasks. Requesting and transferring individual data is not allowed – with the exception specified below. The obligation of data transfer upon request of an institution belonging to the official statistical service also applies to the public institutions and public administration bodies with nation-wide authority, not belonging to the official statistical service, in respect of their data collections included in the national statistical data collection programme. The HCSO is authorised to collect: data from the institutions above, available from the national statistical data collection program, in a manner suitable for individual identification; personal and non-personal data available at the institutions conducting data collections involving official, supervisory, economic activity as well as connected with public, authentic records, within the scope of data determined by the national statistical data collection programme and stipulated for the data collections included in the international obligations – indicating the purpose and period of data collection – in a manner suitable for individual identification, for the purposes of statistical use and abiding by the relevant rules of data protection – unless provided to the contrary by the law. 0.1.3 Confidentiality of individual reporters' data Hungarian Central Statistical Office All statistics collected and published by the HCSO are governed by the confidentiality provisions of the Law on Statistics of Hungary which specify that the HCSO cannot publish, or otherwise make available to any individual or organization, statistics that would enable the identification of data for any individual person or entity. There are two exceptions: Individual data on the activities of institutions, social organizations and state budget institutions performing activities of public interest may be made public without prior written consent of the data supplier if the respective data relates to the activities of public interest. Individual data without written consent of the data supplier may be transferred for statistical purposes only, to an international organization engaged in statistical activity, and in order to meet an international commitment, defined by rule of law. The 1992 Law on Protection of Personal Data and the Disclosure of Data of Public Interest also specifies that the HCSO cannot publish, or otherwise make available to any individual or organization, statistics that would enable the identification of data for any individual person or entity. 0.1.4 Ensuring statistical reporting The National Statistical Data Collection Program is containing the list of mandatory data collections including Merchandise Trade Statistics. 0.2.1 Staff, facilities, computing resources, and financing Hungarian Central Statistical Office During the public administration reform, HCSO was facing several budget cuts in the period of 2005-2007. This resulted in a reduction of 20-25 % in financial resources within two years. The reduction of staff was approximately 15%, primarily at local offices. To eliminate the impact on the statistical program, these actions were balanced by reforms at local and also central level of organization. Several changes were implemented such as centralization of supporting activities (IT and financing), the creation of competence centers (different subject matter areas are concentrated at one single unit instead of all local units paralleling), teleworkers, introduction of new IT technologies and a well organized internal education system called the HCSO-School, within the framework of the HR development strategy. Operational costs were taken under strict control. These actions resulted in a more effective operation of the office. However, further budget cuts could seriously affect the sustainability of development. New emerging tasks could lead to overburdening of the staff and insufficient financial resources, as further cut in operational and investment costs without an impact on the level of quality seems not possible. There are some options left to improve effectiveness, but HCSO would initially need some investments in modern technologies to reduce constant resource needs at elementary processes (like automated data capture, use of mobile devices in surveys, single, integrated system for data processing). The current number of staff is 1390. The annual budget of HCSO is around 46 million Euros. The ratio of human resource costs is around 70%. 0.2.2 Ensuring efficient use of resources Hungarian Central Statistical Office Several actions have been taken to ensure efficient use fo resources: A more effective use of administrative data sources is a priority goal. A task group of administrative records was formed within the frame of the National Statistical Council, initiating a direct coordination between the holders of these sources. Preparation of the new statistical act of Hungary has also started. The proposal contains a possibility of easier access for HCSO to administrative records. The regional and competence based operational model resulted in a more effective and concentrated operation in one central unit and six local units, instead of the previous 19 local units. The resource based planning system was introduced in 2005. With this system human and financial resource needs of the HCSO’s programs can be estimated and planned on a monthly basis, considering costs and benefits, too. The system of competing new programs and the limit of resources resulted in an advanced negotiation and planning process, which is based on adequate plans and actual operational information. Process and product quality monitoring implementation is under way. Consolidation of hardware facilities and software licenses was carried out. This resulted in a cheaper operation immediately, without an impact on the quality. The office launched several IT-related new projects, which will enhance the efficiency. These are: bar code identification of questionnaires, integrated system of data processing, development of electronic questionnaires, providing e-mail sending solution for respondents, possibility of introduction of mobile devices in population and agricultural surveys. 0.4.1 Quality policy Hungarian Central Statistical Office Quality commitment and quality concept is declared in the HCSO strategy, available on the HCSO website. The HCSO launched projects to set up quality framework, to define, regularly measure, document, monitor and assess quality. The system will replace the existing local practices in the different subject matter areas. First results: quality guidelines for the value chain in statistics is in force, promoted in training courses within HCSO, and within the framework of the Statistical Council. The HCSO-School course “Quality in Statistics” is launched  in October 2007. Merchandise trade There is an internal document on the quality policy of the statistical data producing process available. 0.4.2 Quality monitoring Hungarian Central Statistical Office In case of about 1/3 of the statistical outputs, quality is monitored and reported regularly according to Eurostat requirements. The processes carried out in the frame of integrated systems for survey control are monitored according to built in indicators. Special quality projects deal with the development of the standard monitoring system. Merchandise trade There is a data monitoring system established. Yearly quality report is required by EU. 1.1.1 Impartiality of statistics Hungarian Central Statistical Office Under the terms of the Law on Statistics of Hungary: The HCSO is "under the direct supervision of the Government, but independent by profession". The Government approves the National Statistical Data Collection Program each year, but it is the duty of the HCSO to plan and carry out data processing, analysis and publication. 1.1.2 Selection of sources, methodology, and modes of dissemination Hungarian Central Statistical Office Under the terms of the Law on Statistics of Hungary, the HCSO is independent in determining methodology, release dates, design of surveys and definitions used. 1.2.1 Disclosure of terms and conditions for statistical collection, processing, and dissemination Hungarian Central Statistical Office Copies of these laws are available in Hungarian from the library of the HCSO, POB 51, Budapest, H-1525 Hungary. (Fax: 36 1 345 6112). An English version of the laws is available on the HCSO Internet website (http://www.ksh.hu). Copies of these Laws can also be purchased from the newsstand at Somogyi B street 6, Budapest, H-1085 Hungary. (Phone: 36 1 267 2780.) A new “free of charge” dissemination policy has been introduced. The available databases are equipped with metadata describing the content of the indicators. The metadata system will be completed with methodological description by 2008. The publications contain all the necessary information on the data. For the main statistical products detailed methodological descriptions are published (methodological series).
Identification of internal government access to data before release	1.2.2 Internal governmental access to statistics prior to release There is no internal government access to data before release.
Identification of ministerial commentary on the occasion of statistical releases	1.2.3 Attribution of statistical products Hungarian Central Statistical Office No ministerial commentary is attached to the release of the data. Merchandise trade No ministerial comments are attached to the release of the data.
Provision of information about revision and advance notice of major changes in methodology	4.3.1 Revision schedule The data are preliminary when first released. The monthly data are revised one time during the calendar year and become final in September of the following year, accompanying the First Release on January-June data related to the following year. 4.3.2 Identification of preliminary and/or revised data The publications indicate that the data are subject to revision. 1.2.4 Advance notice of major changes in methodology, source data, and statistical techniques. If a minor change in methodology occurs, an advance notice is given to the public as early as possible.
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 Each relevant publication publishes a section on 'Methodological Remarks'. A detailed description of the methodology is published in Hungarian in the Methodology of the External Trade Statistics (HCSO, 2005), which is available from the contact person on request. (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	4.2.1 Internal consistency Reconciliation: Reconciliation with partner country data occurs on an ad-hoc basis. There is no standardized procedure to perform reconciliation exercises on a regular basis. 4.2.2 Temporal consistency The Statistical Yearbook of Hungary shows annual time series data for the latest 15 years at the aggregate level for: (1) unit values; and (2) volume indices, with a reference base of 1960. 4.2.3 Intersectoral and cross-domain consistency National accounts and balance of payments statistics: Exports and imports of goods in national accounts and balance of payments statistics are compiled on the basis of external merchandise trade statistics. Goods include net values of repairs estimated from data of direct survey of HCSO and fuels and other transactions between resident and non-resident estimated from data of balance of payments statistics.
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.