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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 WITS is a software which is designed to integrate several trade-related databases and provide easy access Five databases are currently accessible through WITS Databases of WITS • • • • • TRAINS (UNCTAD) COMTRADE (UN Statistics Division) Integrated Database (IDB-WTO) Consolidated Tariff Schedule (CTS-WTO) Agricultural Market Access Database (AMAD) Data Accessibility • 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 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) Data contents of TRAINS (continued) • Import statistics by origin at Harmonized System (HS) 6-digit level for every countryyear by constructing mirror imports where necessary • Non-Tariff Measures classified according to UNCTAD Coding System of Trade Control Measures (97 countries, 150 country/years) WITS Functionality • Data retrieval and analysis • Quick query • Advanced query • Tariff Change Simulations • Other options Quick Query Direct access to the Database – By country and/or by product – Export raw data – Extraction by criteria Advanced Query Users construct queries comprising of: – – – – Reporter countries Products Partner countries Years 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) Custom Query – Parameters Partner Countries – Same as Reporter Countries. “World” is treated as an individual country Years – From 1988 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 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 Tariff Change Simulation (Single market simulation model) - Trade Creation and Diversion effects Tariff revenue effect Welfare effect Importer and Exporter Views 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) Tariff Change Simulation Results of Simulation - First round effect of tariff reduction - No time horizon - No cost of structural adjustment 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 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 ATCS: Two Parts 1. Simulation query – Defines a specific simulation by selecting countries, products and scenarios 2. Scenario Definition – Defines a scope of tariff changes in terms of group of countries, product categories, bound and unbound tariff lines, etc. 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 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 How to Install WITS Register at http://wits.worldbank.org/witsweb Receive userid and password via e-mail Download installation file from http://wits.worldbank.org/install.htm Install CONTACT Trade Information Section UNCTAD/DITC/TAB Palais des Nations 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +41 22 917 0044