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Overview of Databases operated by UNCTAD-World Bank World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) and its main functionalitie

Overview of Databases operated by UNCTAD-World Bank World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) and its main functionalities. Virtual Institute, TDA Workshop 11-14 September, 2006. WITS vs Databases.

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Overview of Databases operated by UNCTAD-World Bank World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) and its main functionalitie

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  1. Overview of Databasesoperated byUNCTAD-World Bank World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) and its main functionalities Virtual Institute, TDA Workshop 11-14 September, 2006

  2. WITS vs Databases WITSis a software which is designed to integrate several trade-related databases and provide easy access Five databases are currently accessible throughWITS

  3. TRAINS (UNCTAD) COMTRADE (UN Statistics Division) Integrated Database (IDB-WTO) Consolidated Tariff Schedule (CTS-WTO) Agricultural Market Access Database (AMAD) Databases of WITS

  4. COMTRADE: Free access to International Organizations, others against a fee TRAINS: Access to governments and international and regional organizations and donors to TRAINS Trust Fund WTO: Access to WTO member governments and selected international organizations AMAD: Free for all Data Accessibility

  5. Data contents of TRAINS(as of 15 April 2006) • Tariff measures at national tariff line level for 161 countries (889 country/years since 1988), including preferential rates such as RTA and GSP in many cases Primary data are drawn from UN TARMAC UN Tariff and Market Access Database A joint effort with the International Trade Centre (ITC)

  6. Data contents of TRAINS(continued) • Import statistics by origin at Harmonized System (HS) 6-digit level for every country-year by constructing mirror imports where necessary • Non-Tariff Measures classified according to UNCTAD Coding System of Trade Control Measures (97 countries, 150 country/years)

  7. WITS Functionality • Data retrieval and analysis • Quick query • Advanced query • Tariff Change Simulations • Other options

  8. Quick Query Direct access to the Database • By country and/or by product • Export raw data • Extraction by criteria

  9. Advanced Query Users construct queries comprising of: • Reporter countries • Products • Partner countries • Years

  10. Custom Query – Parameters Reporter Countries • Individual countries or user-defined groups of countries Products • Individual products or user-defined aggregates of products in various product classifications (HS, SITC,ISIC, etc)

  11. Custom Query – Parameters Partner Countries • Same as Reporter Countries. “World” is treated as an individual country Years • From 1988

  12. Custom Query – submission Further options before submitting • MFN rates (default) , Bound Rates and/or Effectively Applied (preferential) rates • Latest available year for each reporter country • Substitution of unavailable year with the nearest available year • Breakdown of country groups

  13. Custom Query – results Main indicators • Simple and trade weighted tariff averages • Value of imports • Duty free • Dutiable • Non-ad valorem rates • Distribution of tariff rates

  14. Tariff Change Simulation(Single market simulation model) • Trade Creation and Diversion effects • Tariff revenue effect • Welfare effect • Importer and Exporter Views

  15. Tariff Change Simulation(Single market simulation model) Assumptions: • Each product is independent • A same product from different supplier is an imperfect substitute • Three sets of elasticties (Demand, Supply and Substitution between two suppliers)

  16. Tariff Change Simulation Results of Simulation • First round effect of tariff reduction • No time horizon • No cost of structural adjustment

  17. Doha Proposals in WITS • WTO Doha Proposals” simulates the tariff reduction proposals submitted to the WTO’s Negotiating Group on Market Access. More flexible, user-defined tariff change formula option is under development

  18. Advance Tariff Change Simulation(ATCS) Apply tariff change formula to tariff schedules and assess impact • Pre-defined or user-defined formula • Multiple formula in terms of affected countries and products

  19. Simulation query Defines a specific simulation by selecting countries, products and scenarios Scenario Definition Defines a scope of tariff changes in terms of group of countries, product categories, bound and unbound tariff lines, etc. ATCS: Two Parts

  20. Improvement for immediate future • Ad Valorem Equivalents: • Estimation of % equivalents of non ad-valorem rates • Multi-market Simulation Model • Incorporation of GSIM model in WITS/TRAINS

  21. Computer Requirement • PC of reasonable speed (minimum 200MHZ) • Windows 98, 2000 or XP • Internet Explorer version 5.0 or higher • Internet Access with 50mb of disk space

  22. How to Install WITS Register athttp://wits.worldbank.org/witsweb Receive userid and passwordvia e-mail Downloadinstallation file from http://wits.worldbank.org/install.htm Install

  23. CONTACT Trade Information Section UNCTAD/DITC/TAB Palais des Nations 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland E-mail: wits@unctad-trains.org Fax: +41 22 917 0044

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