New application for detailed monthly trade statistics 29 February 2012, 9:00 - 9:45 am Conference Rm. D, Temporary North Lawn Building United Nations, New York

In 2010, UNSD started the initiative for the collection and dissemination of detailed monthly merchandise trade statistics. Countries responded very positively to this initiative.  During this event UNSD will introduce and launch the beta version of UN Monthly Comtrade, a new application for the dissemination of monthly merchandise trade statistics. UN Monthly Comtrade aims to cover major economies and to achieve some regional representation, based on the availability of monthly data in countries (or areas).

Background: The United Nations Statistical Commission at its forty-first session held on 23-26 February 2010 recognized the importance of the UN Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade) as the global database and information platform for international merchandise trade statistics, and requested UNSD to enhance its features and metadata. Acting on the Commission’s decision and based on users’ feedback, UNSD started the initiative for the collection and dissemination of detailed monthly merchandise data. These data are needed to allow for short term analysis of the global economy, such as the analysis of the impact of the financial crises on global trade flows.

Seminar Programme/Agenda
	Opening: Mr. Ronald Jansen, Chief of Trade Statistics Branch, UN Statistics Division, DESA
	Introduction of UN Monthly Comtrade Matthias Reister, Chief of Merchandise Trade Statistics Section, UN Statistics Division, DESA
	Live presentation of UN Monthly Comtrade Sean Lovell, Associate Statistician, UN Statistics Division, DESA