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The
Fourth Workshop on the International Comparison Program
for Western Asia was held at the UN House in Beirut during
the period 23-27 May 2005.
Thirty-two officials from 11 ESCWA member countries,
including ICP National Coordinators, Price Statisticians
and National Accountants, participated in the workshop. In
addition, the World Bank ICP Deputy Global manager, a
World Bank Consultant and all the ICP team at ESCWA
participated and contributed several inputs to the
workshop.
Various papers covering a range of topics were presented
during the workshop. Presented papers and discussions have
covered the global status of the program; comparability
analysis of responses to the product lists of three
consumption groups; reviewing the structure of the
Construction, Equipment and Government groups. Also, the
presentation and discussions of technical papers were
extended to cover the methodologies applied in building
Quaranta tables for different types of averages, different
methods of computing Purchasing Power Parities (PPP), the
methodology and work plan of the Ring Comparison Program,
and the construction of ICP expenditure weights.
The results of the price survey in the first quarter of
2005 were obtained from 4 countries and discussed in a
special session. The discussion opened the floor to many
questions related to the methodologies used in choosing
the sample, the limited frequency of price collection,
practical differences in the definitions and probably the
specifications of products among member countries and the
problems encountered at the levels of data verification
using the Tool Pack. Many recommendations and advices were
given to obtain the optimal results from the price
surveys. These advices and recommendations include the
revision of the survey framework, the proper coverage of
the sample, understanding the features of the Tool Pack,
training the data collectors, etc.
The participants received a detailed training on the usage
of the Tool Pack software for data validation and
verification. They were also trained on the new Tool Pack
Module for Data Processing (DPM). This module will help
transferring data and survey results to the ICP Regional
Office.
A special session was dedicated for the most frequent Q&A
on the Tool Pack. Participants reported their queries and
problems to the ICP World Bank and the Regional Office
consultants. Some problems were dealt with during the
session, while others were left for further analysis by
the consultants and to be returned to them by e-mail and
to be posted on the ICP home page as well.
Agenda
List of Participants
Papers Presented
Meeting Report
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