Review of SNA research agenda
7th meeting of the
Advisory Expert Group
on national accounts
23-25 Apr 2012, New York
1
Outline of Presentation

Introduction

Mechanisms for resolving research issues

Research agenda website

Issues for consideration
2
Introduction
∙
Several research issues emerged during the update of the 1993
SNA
∙
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Listed in Annex 4 of 2008 SNA
ISWGNA website, hosted by the UNSD, contains webpage
dedicated to the SNA research agenda.
∙
∙
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Lists research issues
Updated with new items that emerge and recommendations on existing items
as agreed.
Three questions used to assess the priority to be given to a
research item
1.
2.
3.
How urgent and important is the topic to ensure that the SNA continues to be
relevant to the users?
How widespread are the consequences of change and how complicated will
implementation be?
Is the topic completely new or has much of the preparation for considering the
item been completed?
3
Mechanisms for resolving issues
∙
Proposals for task forces or expert groups to do research on
specific topics should be submitted to the ISWGNA
∙
∙
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Ensures worldwide representation in the deliberation of research
agenda issues
Ensures proper implementation of the results in international
standards or handbooks
ISWGNA may also convene technical expert groups to advance
research on particular normative and methodological matters.
∙
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Groups will consist of relevant experts in national accounts, with a
balanced regional representation.
Groups will have limited life spans and focus on particular issues.
Terms of reference for the tasks related to the subject will be
formulated with every group
4
Mechanisms for resolving issues
∙
Existing city groups and other technical expert groups
∙
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Work may fall within scope of national accounts, but groups have their
own mandates and governance structures
ISWGNA will coordinate with these groups to take account of their
work in the work programme of the ISWGNA
For large projects (eg. the revision of the SNA) it may be necessary to
develop separate project management frameworks
∙
ISWGNA assesses results per update procedures for the SNA
established by the UNSC (1999)
∙
If changes are necessary ISWGNA presents changes to UNSC for
adoption
5
Updating procedure for the SNA
6
Research agenda website
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/nationalaccount/research.asp
∙
Facilitates the sharing of information about the issues under
discussion, progress with such discussions and the long term
research agenda.
∙
Comprised of five parts:
∙
∙
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Research issues under discussion (eg. FISIM, emission permits)
Consultations
AEG and task force meetings
List of research issues
SNA update procedure
7
Research agenda website
∙
Issues list originated from a paper presented at the 5th
meeting of the AEG (SNA/M1.07/14)
∙
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Reports on 20 research issues
Each topic described by an author under the following
headings:
1. The issue – explaining the issue;
2. Reasons for inclusion in the research agenda
3. Proposed time horizon for resolving the issue
4. References
Issues list needs to be updated to conform to the topics
listed in Annex 4 of the 2008 SNA
∙
Is format of presentation still applicable to facilitate the process
for resolving the research issues?
8
Issues for consideration
∙
AEG is requested to:
a)
Comment on the ISWGNA's proposal not to pursue research agenda
issues before 2015, unless a pressing need arises
b)
Provide guidance on the procedure for resolving the research issues;
c)
Express views on the priorities for resolving issues;
d)
Express views on the updating of the issues list on the research
agenda website
e)
Express views on assigning focal points for particular issues.
9
Thank you
10
Issues list
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Reverse transactions
Debt concessionality
Clarification of income concept in the SNA - should holding gains be included?
Final consumption of corporations
The relationship of SNA and IASB
High inflation Issue details
Accrual interest in the SNA - the debtor or creditor approach?
Equity valuation and its implications
Provisions
Distinction between current maintenance and capital repairs
Broadening the fixed asset boundary to include other intellectual property assets
Treatment of Private-Public Partnerships
Consolidation, both for government and private enterprise groups
Wider use of fair value for loans
Recognition of social security entitlements as liabilities
Leases to exploit natural resources such as mineral deposits
Reinvested earnings
Output of central banks: taxes and subsidies on interest rates applied by central banks
Inclusion of international organizations in the SNA
Government social services
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