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- Poverty Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) Results Review Workshop
ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines, 4-5 October
The workshop discussed the methodology for computing poverty PPPs and reviewed preliminary poverty PPP results. Discussions concentrated on the review and validation of Poverty-PPP estimates using two approaches: one derived using the ICP Poverty Advisory Group methodology utilizing ICP Regional Basic Headings PPPs; and the other, PPPs derived from Poverty Price Survey data. Both estimates used household expenditure weights for the poor from household expenditure surveys.
A media briefing was held to formally release the 2005 preliminary PPP results to the public with the heads of the national implementing agencies of ICP Asia Pacific among the special guests, as stakeholders of the program. The 2005 International Comparison Program for Asia and the Pacific: Purchasing Power Parity Preliminary Report was also released to the public.
Heads of the national implementing agencies of ICP Asia Pacific were convened in a meeting to discuss the highlights of the preliminary PPP results; lessons learned from the program and future directions.
The meeting discussed the methodology for computing PPPs for dwellings and compensation; comments on the draft report for preliminary PPP results; and categories of release for the publication of PPP results.
- Workshop to Review Preliminary PPP Results
Manila, Philippines, 18-21 June
The meeting's main objective was to conduct preliminary PPP results validation. Discussions concentrated on resolving concerns/issues/clarifications relating to the preliminary results before release on 31 July 2007.
National price statisticians of all the 23 participating countries met to review preliminary full GDP PPP results. In order to meet the schedule for the release of ICP results, countries agreed on the timeline for the submission of revised/validated data. Countries appreciated the analysis of the preliminary PPP results.
National price statisticians of 16 DMCs participating in the poverty sensitivity study were convened to discuss price data validation issues/concerns. Since the special poverty surveys were conducted in 2006, price data need to be calibrated to July 2005 to coincide with the main ICP data which uses 2005 as the reference year.
- Second Meeting of the Core Group of Equipment Experts
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 12-15 March
The Core Group of Equipment Experts met to make a final assessment of equipment price data to ensure product parity for the estimation of equipment PPPs.
- Second Meeting of the Core Group of Construction Experts
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 7-9 March
The Core Group of Construction Experts met to make a final assessment of construction price data to ensure product parity for the estimation of construction PPPs.
- Regional Advisory Board Meeting, Manila , ADB Headquarters
- Release of preliminary and final PPPs
- Data Review Workshop for Household Consumption, Dwellings and Compensation
Bangkok, Thailand, 14-16 December, attended by 23 countries
Annual household consumption (including dwellings, health and education) price data underwent a final validation review. Government compensation data were also reviewed. The workshop aimed to establish product parity for the computation of robust PPPs.
- Data Review Workshop for Equipment
Bangkok, Thailand, 11-13 December, attended by 22 countries
An international equipment expert provided technical guidance in conducting the data review for equipment. The workshop aimed at establishing product parity for the computation of robust PPPs.
- Data Review Workshop for Construction
Bangkok, Thailand, 7-9 December, attended by 22 countries
International construction experts provided technical guidance in conducting the data review for construction aimed at establishing product parity for the computation of robust PPPs.
- First Meeting of the Core Group of Construction Experts
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 16-18 October
The core group of construction experts from four participating countries convened to make an initial assessment of the construction price data submissions. Most of the participating countries engaged domestic experts for the sector as expertise for construction is unavailable in most of the NSOs.
- First Meeting of the Core Group of Equipment Experts
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 11-13 October
The core group of equipment experts from five participating countries convened to make an initial assessment of the equipment price data submissions. Most of the participating countries engaged domestic experts for the sector as expertise for equipment is unavailable in most of the NSOs.
Important agreements reached included the extrapolation of missing prices and differences in the temporal coverage of price surveys, and deriving national level figures from sub-national level data; PPP-based poverty methodology; release schedule of preliminary and final PPPs; and policy access to ICP micro data.
- Ring Data Review Workshop
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 26-29 June, attended by 4 countries
With experts from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the ring data workshop was conducted to validate ring survey data for the ring comparison covering nineteen countries from six ICP regions. The ring comparison will generate a set of PPPs linking all the regions into a global comparison. Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; Philippines and Sri Lanka are the Asia Pacific ring countries.
The following materials were provided at the workshop.
Presentations:
Discussion materials:
- Expert Group Meeting on Extrapolation Methodology
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 19-20 June
The Regional Office constituted an Expert Group to examine various methodologies available and recommend a suitable methodology to derive national average prices for the ICP product list; and national GDP weights for 155 basic headings from average prices and GDP weights from China 's 11-city data. The group was chaired by Prasada Rao, ICP Asia Pacific consultant. The other experts came from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, World Bank, National Bureau of Statistics of China, and the Asian Development Bank.
- Finalization Workshop on the Poverty Product List
Jakarta, Indonesia, 16-17 June, attended by 16 countries
The workshop finalized the list of poverty items for the sensitivity analysis study which requires additional price surveys from outlets patronized by the poor.
- Data Review Workshop for Household Consumption Items
Jakarta, Indonesia with BPS, 12-15 June, attended by 9 countries
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 21-24 June, attended by 5 countries
New Delhi, India with Central Statistical Organization of India, 11-14 July, attended by 6 countries
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 11-15 September, attended by 2 countries
The data review for household consumption data for all the quarters of 2005 was conducted in a series of sub-regional workshops to further ensure product parity for PPP computation.
- Second Regional Course on Price Statistics and the International Comparison Program
Jakarta, Indonesia, 5-9 June
The regional course was jointly organized by the UN Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific and Statistics Indonesia with resource persons from the International Labor Organization and ADB. Twenty two middle level managers from national statistical offices were trained on: (i) Fundamentals and concepts of CPI and ICP, (ii) International standards and framework of CPI and ICP, and (iii) ICP data compilation and calculation techniques. The ICP component of the course comprising of theory and practical exercises covered the following areas:
- National Accounts Data Review Workshop
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 10-12 May, attended by 22 countries
National Accounts experts attended the data review workshop to: (i) validate GDP expenditure weights to ensure reliability and comparability of GDP weights across participating countries in the Asia Pacific region, (ii) share best practices in the disaggregation of GDP into the required 155 basic headings (BHs); (iii) formulate possible solutions relating to GDP weights estimation including BHs with zero weights; (iv) discuss metadata with special reference to the 1993 SNA; and (v) confirm submission dates for the 2005 GDP weights for the final PPPs.
- Collection of Prices for Other Product Groups
Price data collection for health and education were mostly conducted in the first quarter of 2006 while a few countries also carried out price surveys in 2005. Government compensation and dwellings data were also submitted in 2005.
- Collection of Prices for Construction and Equipment
Most of the countries undertook price data collection for Construction and Equipment in the second and third quarters of 2006.
- Conduct of ICP Price Surveys for Household Consumption/Validation of Prices at the country and regional levels
Price collection for household consumption items began in January 2005 in most of the participating countries. Survey operations in India and Sri Lanka started in April and March, respectively, due to the tsunami calamity in late December 2004. Quarterly ICP household consumption price surveys were done for the whole year of 2005.
Participating countries submit internally validated price data to the Regional Office for further validation through bilateral discussions and data review workshops. These validated data will be used in the computation of PPPs.
The meeting discussed and agreed on the following: i) Selection of Ms. Carmelita Ericta, Administrator of Philippines' National Statistics Office, ii) Updates on global and regional developments; iii) Requirements for participation in the current ICP round; iv) Submission of data to GO and RO; v) Data review issues and actions taken; vi) Poverty PPPs; vii) Other household sectors and non-household sectors; viii) ToolPack concerns; ix) Ring comparison; x) Advocacy issues; and xi) Funding issues.
- Equipment Workshop
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 1-3 December, attended by 20 countries
The RO and the GO jointly organized the workshop, with the international consultant for equipment as resource person. Participants were the ICP national coordinators or senior price statisticians and equipment experts of the participating countries. The list of equipment items for pricing was finalized and indicative brands and models were identified, prior to the finalization of the equipment product list.
- Construction Workshop
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 28-30 November, attended by 21 countries
The workshop was jointly organized by the RO and the GO, with the international consultant for construction as resource person. Participants were the ICP national coordinators or senior price statisticians, and construction experts of the participating countries. The Basket of Construction Components (BOCC) Approach was explained for pricing 34 construction components. Also, an overview of the concepts of the System of National Accounts in construction was presented by a National Accounts expert. Participants were able to clarify a number of issues regarding construction components during a short visit to a construction project.
- Data Review Workshop (DRW) for household consumption products
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 23-26 November, attended by 22 countries
The workshop primarily focused on evaluating the results of the implementation of the decisions taken in the previous DRWs to improve data quality.
- Poverty Workshop
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 21-22 November, attended by 17 coutnries
The regional workshop was held for 17 ADB DMCs participating in the poverty-PPP project. The workshop provided an overview of the project and the methodology to be used in poverty-specific PPP computation by taking the BH PPPs in the mainstream ICP and then applying weights from the consumption patterns of the poor as estimated from existing household expenditure surveys. Funds for Poverty PPP compilation come from the Poverty Reduction Cooperation Fund.
- Data Review Workshop (DRW) for Second Quarter ICP Price Surveys
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28 September-5 October , attended by 22 countries
In its continuing efforts to improve data quality, a single DRW for second quarter data was held for all participating countries. The workshop was co-sponsored by Malaysia's Department of Statistics.
- First Regional Course on Price and the ICP
Malé, Maldives, 25-29 September
The UN Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific organized the course to introduce the ICP to the countries. Two course-days devoted to ICP discussion were conducted by the ICP Asia Pacific Regional Office.
- Workshop on the Preparation for the Remaining Product Lists
AIT, Bangkok, 1-6 August, attended by 23 countries
A finalization workshop was conducted to complete the product lists for: Health; Education; Government Compensation; Construction; Machinery and Equipment; and Dwellings, for pricing in late 2005 and early 2006. These will complete the price inputs for PPP computation.
- Data Review Workshops for First Quarter ICP Price Surveys
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 4-8 July, attended by 4 countries
AIT, Bangkok, 8-12 August: attended by 8 countries
AIT, Bangkok, 29 August-2 September: 9 countries
The RO conducted Data Review Workshops, by batches, for first quarter data to improve the comparability and reliability of ICP price data.
- Second Ring List Workshop
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 28 June-2 July
The Global Office held the second ring list workshop for the Asia-Pacific ring countries: Hong Kong , China ; Malaysia ; Philippines ; and Sri Lanka. The workshop identified the representativity of the products and provided feedback on product specifications in the draft list prepared drawn from the product lists of all the ICP regions.
- Training on ToolPack 1.2
AIT, Bangkok, 13-15 June, attended by 7 countries
AIT, Bangkok, 16-18 June, attended by 7 countries
To introduce ToolPack version 1.2, trainings were held for countries using the Price Collection Module (PCM) for data entry. One of the new features highlighted was the data transfer facility from the countries to the Regional Office.
The RAB's agenda included the following: (i) updates on ICP global and regional developments, (ii) finalization of the product list for the non-household groups, (iii) country review strategy, (iv) ToolPack 1.2 updates including data transfer and validation, (v) ring comparison program, (vi) Poverty PPPs, and (vii) advocacy campaign. Mr. Frederick Ho, Commissioner of the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, is the RAB Chairperson.
- Training on ToolPack 1.2
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 14-15 April
NSO, Manila, Philippines, 18-19 April
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 20-22 April, attended by 6 Countries
MSPI, New Delhi, 27 April, India
The GO conducted training on the new features of ToolPack. These included the data transfer facility from the countries to the RO; use of the Batch Upload Utility (BUU) Function for countries not using ToolPack PCM for price data entry; and the regional component of ToolPack. Training for the Philippines was conducted at its National Statistics Office to evaluate ToolPack in a "real" environment.
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National Accounts Workshop and Submission of GDP weights.
[PDF: 45kb | 13 pages]
AIT, Bangkok, 15-17 February
The workshop aimed to provide guidance on estimating expenditure weights for the Basic Headings (BHs) and to exchange information and experience among the participants. During the workshop, seventeen countries provided preliminary GDP weights for private final consumption expenditures based on latest data available. A number of methods were discussed and agreed upon on how to fill up data gaps/disaggregate data into the required number of BHs; and how to make the national accounts coverage consistent with the recommendations of the 1993 System of National Accounts (SNA).
- Ring List Workshop
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 31 January to 11 February
The Global Office (GO) held the ring list workshop for Hong Kong , China ; Malaysia ; Philippines and Sri Lanka , ring countries in the Asia Pacific region. The purpose was to reduce the list combined from all six ICP regions into a more manageable list. The ring list contains the product specifications to be priced for the ring comparison and will also link all the six ICP regions to obtain a single set of transitive parities at the global level. The data collection for the Ring comparison has been scheduled for the 1st quarter of 2006.
The meeting discussed and agreed on the following: (i) the election of Mr. Frederick Ho, Commissioner of the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, (ii) membership of the Philippines to the Board in place of Singapore, which had opted out of the RAB; (iii) reference year was moved from 2004 to 2005; (iv) Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; Philippines and Sri Lanka were invited to participate in the ring comparison; and (v) endorsement of the proposed PPP-based poverty estimation methodology.
- Workshop on Product Specification, Phase II
ADB Headquarters, Manila , 5-15 July, attended by 22 countries
National coordinators met to prepare phase II of the household product list, covering services related to the dwelling, furnishings, transport, communication, and other services. This completed the household consumption product list.
- Sub-Regional workshop on "Training of Trainors" for Price Surveys.
Putrajaya, Malaysia, 22-27 March, attended by 12 countries
Goa, India, 29 March-3April, attended by 10 countries
Two sub-regional workshops were held in March and April 2004. The session for East and Southeast Asian countries was held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, while the South Asian countries met in Goa, India. The workshops trained country price statisticians who will conduct the trainings for price surveys in their respective countries. The workshops also provided the venue for deciding on the methods for estimating national and annual average prices; and data collection timetables. There was also a session on the computation of PPP's.
- Workshop on Product Specification, Phase I (Food, clothing & footwear).
[PDF: 119 kb | 6 pages]
AIT, Bangkok, 26 January - 6 February
Participants met to agree on the regional product list for food, clothing and footwear; start work on the rest of the household consumption product list; and identify items for the poverty basket for PPP-based poverty measures. This list will be the basis for conducting price surveys.
- In-Country Training of Price Collectors
The Regional Office assisted the participating countries in the conduct of in-country training programs for price collectors for ICP price surveys and ToolPack. This training was conducted in eighteen countries: Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; China; Fiji; India; Indonesia; Lao PDR; Malaysia; Maldives; Mongolia; Nepal; Pakistan; Philippines; Sri Lanka; Taipei,China; Thailand; & Vietnam. The ICP Global Office assisted in the ToolPack training for China and the Philippines, while the Australian Bureau of Statistics also provided China additional training on the conduct of ICP price surveys in rural areas.
- Second Meeting of the Regional Advisory Board.
[PDF: 108 kb | 5 pages]
ADB Headquarters, Manila, 15-16 December
The meeting discussed progress made after the first RAB meeting in June and launching of ICP Asia Pacific in July. Other matters discussed were: (i) level of participation of Asia Pacific countries; (ii) development of the product list; (iii) funding and staffing situation; and (iv) detailed work program for 2004 and 2005 onwards.
- ICP Regional Inception Workshop
AIT, Bangkok, 28 July-1 August
This workshop formally launched the 2005 Round of ICP in the Asian and Pacific region. It was attended by a price statistician and a national accountant from each of the participating DMCs; resource persons from the World Bank and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as well as observers from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Aside from the meeting being successful in outlining the core features of the program, the participants also fully understood their roles and discussed in great detail the ICP work program for 2003 to 2006. The support shown by the participating DMCs is expected to get ICP off to a good start.
- Meeting of NSO Heads of ICP Participating Countries
AIT, Bangkok, 19-20 June
The two-day meeting was organized to enjoin the support of heads of national statistical offices (NSOs) of participating ADB developing member countries (DMCs) in implementing ICP in the countries. It contributed in forging a better appreciation of the new ICP initiatives and in establishing a well-coordinated and effective national, regional and global management structure. The body also agreed on a Framework of Partnership (FOP) outlining the respective roles and responsibilities of the Regional Coordinator and the participating countries.
- First Meeting of the ICP Regional Advisory Board Meeting
AIT, Bangkok, 18 June
The meeting discussed the following: (i) new governance structure of the program; (ii) technical aspects of the current round; and, (iii) ICP Asia Pacific workprogram and resource requirements.
- ICP Toolpack pilot testing
ToolPack, the ICP/CPI software was developed in preparation for the 2005 ICP round, with the World Bank staff doing the pilot testing in three Asian capitals - Manila (ADB Headquarters), Beijing and New Delhi in March 2003.
- Preparation of Advocacy Paper on ICP
ADB commissioned Dr. Sultan Ahmad, an ICP expert, to prepare the paper which details the importance of PPP data to the countries.
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