1. Cooperation Framework for Member States under ESS VIP SIMSTAT ESSnet Workshop, Rome 1 3-4 Dec. 2012 Georges Pongas (slides by Mushtaq Hussain)

2. International trade in goods statistics 3-4 Dec. 2012 ESSnet Workshop, Rome 2 Extrastat Trade with third countries Based on customs declaration Intrastat Trade between Member States Based on enterprise surveys VAT information Heavy response burden

3. Business case 3-4 Dec. 2012 ESSnet Workshop, Rome 3 In November 2011, the Council called upon ESS " … to take effective measures ensuring a substantial reduction of the response burden by redeveloping Intrastat, while maintaining a sound level of quality needed". Eurostat's response: SIMSTAT (Single Market Statistics) containing several simplification measures. One of them is the suggestion to enable the exchange of micro-data (enterprise level data) on intra-EU exports in goods between Member States.

4. SIMSTAT principles 3-4 Dec. 2012 ESSnet Workshop, Rome 4 Data collected and available within the ESS should not be collected a second time. In principle, data on imports should theoretically mirror data on exports and vice versa. Each transaction reported in one MS will serve as a data source for two MS: first, for compiling the Intra-EU exports of the country of dispatches and, second, for the Intra-EU imports of the partner country. Each MS decides whether and how to use the others' micro- data for the purpose of compilation of statistics on Intra-EU arrivals or of enhancement of quality of data.

5. Project information 3-4 Dec. 2012 ESSnet Workshop, Rome 5 The outcome of the project is an informatics infrastructure capable of exchanging micro-data on intra-EU exports between the MS, which would meet a number of IT and statistical requirements IT aspects: IT infrastructure, software, data security, etc. Statistical aspects: content of data to be exchanged, data quality, timeliness, etc. The implementation period of the project: June 2012 - December 2015.

6. Project phases 3-4 Dec. 2012 ESSnet Workshop, Rome 6 The period is divided in three main phases:  Phase 1: Feasibility study for the micro-data exchange (June 2012 – Q2 2013)  Phase 2: Development of the system for micro-data exchange (Q2 2013 – Q2 2015)  Phase 3: Pilot testing of the system for micro-data exchange (Q2 2015 – Q3 2015). Preparation for and the implementation of the micro-data exchange requires significant resources at national level Eurostat envisaged offering financial and cooperation platform to facilitate the trial data exchange

7. Tasks to be carried out in cooperation 25 October 2012 SIMSTAT Steering Committee 7 Statistical aspects of exchange of micro-data Confidentiality arrangements Timetable to enabling integration of exchanged micro-data into the production calendar Pilot testing of the system in a coordinated manner Analysis of the results of the tests Recommendations for the deployment of the new micro- data exchange system in the ESS Sharing of the results and dissemination within the ESS.

8. Tasks to be carried out individually 25 October 2012 SIMSTAT Steering Committee 8 Adaptation of the national IT system Making available own micro-data according to the agreed timetable and quality standards Installation, deployment and testing of the new micro-data exchange system Use of received micro-data under agreed confidentiality arrangements Feedback on the use of the new micro-data exchange system and the received micro-data

9. Eurostat proposal 25 October 2012 SIMSTAT Steering Committee 9 Step 1: To start the cooperative activities with an ESSnet launched at the beginning of 2013 to deal with statistical aspects of the project which are common to all countries. Step 2: Upon the end of the feasibility study and the choice of a technical solution (mid 2013), to offer directly individual grants for adapting the national IT environment. Step 3: Finally, in 2014, when the technical solution will be agreed, to decide again on the type of grants to be used for the implementation of the trial data exchange.

10. Launching of ESSnet 25 October 2012 SIMSTAT Steering Committee 10  This proposal was endorsed by the Project Steering Committee  As a next step, Eurostat suggested to the ESSC meeting in November 2012 the establishment of ESSnet on preparation for micro-data exchange in 2013.  The ESSC approved this proposal  An ESSnet on preparation for micro-data exchange within the SIMSTAT project will be launched in 2013.

11. 3-4 Dec. 2012 ESSnet Workshop, Rome 11 Thank you for your attention!