Trade Statistics (2015-Present)
Current project
Trade Statistics (2015-Present)
Since 2015, the TrainForTrade programme has worked with UNCTAD/STAT on international trade statistics, around two areas: trade in services and merchandise trade.
Area 1 — Services
Statistics on International Trade in Services
A comprehensive training programme produced jointly by UNCTAD, the WTO and the United Nations Statistics Division, in response to Goal 17 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Latest edition in figures
- 1 689 participants
- 171 countries & regions
- 77 % average score
- 84 % satisfaction rate
- 42 % women
Objectives
Raise awareness of trade-in-services statistics and their concepts, strengthen statisticians’ capacity, and support a better understanding of the MSITS 2010 manual.
Target audience
- Data compilers and producers (balance of payments, business statistics…)
- Data users: ministries, economists, legal professionals…
Course modules
- Importance of statistics on trade in services & key concepts
- Prerequisites for data collection and compilation
- Data sources and collection
- Data compilation (BOP / SITS)
- Data compilation (FATS)
- Dissemination and analysis
What participants say
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This course helped me better understand the invisible but crucial dynamics underpinning global trade in services.
Christian Kandolo Democratic Republic of the Congo -
The good practices set out in the manuals are particularly relevant and directly transferable to my professional environment.
Yasmine Thabti Tunisia -
This course strengthened my professional skills, thanks to clear materials, concrete exercises and the instructors’ expertise.
Mohamed Chrif Lahah Mauritania
Course editions
Edition 2025
Edition 2024
Edition 2023
Area 2 — Merchandise
Statistics on International Merchandise Trade
Produced jointly by UNCTAD, the WTO and the United Nations Statistics Division — accessible, comprehensive training material on IMTS.
Latest edition in figures
- 1 167 participants
- 159 countries & regions
- 79 % average score
- 90 % satisfaction rate
- 41 % women
Objectives
Apply the most recent international recommendations (IMTS 2010), identify the best data sources and improve compilation and dissemination processes.
Target audience
- Trade-data compilers
- Trade negotiators, statisticians and analysts
Course modules
- Conceptual framework
- Legal framework
- Production and compilation of statistics
- Data quality and metadata
- Data dissemination and analysis
- New areas of work
What participants say
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The training genuinely helped me build my capacity to apply this invaluable knowledge in my country’s context.
Farid Amir Algeria -
This course provides a solid foundation for any professional involved in producing or using international trade statistics.
Grâce Kennedy Silési Gbagudie Benin -
I will draw on the dissemination good practices to make our statistics more accessible to decision-makers and the public.
Oualdo-Pierre Haiti
Course editions
Edition 2026
Edition 2025
Edition 2023
