1. Ana Maqueda - Eurostat Unit G5 Luxembourg- 18 April 2012
MEDSTAT III Workshop External trade data dissemination & relations with users : Eurostat G5 practice
Ana Maqueda - Eurostat Unit G5
Luxembourg- 18 April 2012

2. Today's presentation Main tasks Disseminated data Dissemination means
User Support
Challenges
Eurostat - Unit G5

3. Dissemination and user support
Main tasks:
Disseminate detailed trade data and metadata through Comext to the EU Commission, EU institutions, National Administrations and general public
Provide a continuous support to the users
Organise co-operation activities related to data dissemination
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4. Disseminated data Public
EU, EFTA, BALKAN, MEDSTAT data by (depending on domain):
- CN (8 digits) and HS product classifications
- SITC, CPA, BEC, …
- By tariff regime
- By mode of transport
Other data (Indices, Prodcom…)
Restricted to Commission only
UN database (Comtrade) and IMF database
Data from cooperating third countries (Japan, Canada, Hong-Kong, …)
EU Trade data by TARIC10 codes
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5. Dissemination means - EASY COMEXT
Public
EASY COMEXT is an HTML based interface giving access to data and metadata (classifications and methodological notes)
Database size: ~600 Gb
Nb registered Users = ~14.000
Nb records loaded in 2011 = ~1 billion
Nb records stored for 2011 (1 record containing 12 months of values, quantities, …) = ~115 millions
Nb extractions in 2011 = ~
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6. Dissemination means - EASY COMEXT
The main page gives access to:
User Menu
Registered user
Non Registered user
Available Datasets
(hierarchic presentation)
Available Nomenclatures
Browse nomenclature
Download Nomenclature
Relation selection
Open Relation
Download Relation
News section
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7. Dissemination means - EASY COMEXT
3 steps to extract the data
Extraction definition (content)
Extraction layout (presentation)
Extraction output options
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8. Extraction definition
EASY COMEXT – Step 1
Extraction definition
Select dataset´s dimensions:
Partner
Product/s
Flow (imp/exp)
Period
Indicator (value, volume etc..)
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9. EASY COMEXT – Step 1 : Extraction definition
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10. Extraction Layout EASY COMEXT – Step 2
User defines the structure of the table in which the data will be displayed.
Display options for each dimension (Codes, Labels or Codes and Labels)
Number of rows / Columns to be displayed per table
Eliminate Zeros option (remove the unused coordinates)
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11. EASY COMEXT – Step 2
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12. Launching the Extraction
EASY COMEXT – Step 3
Launching the Extraction
Non Registered users can bookmark the query definition for future use and launch the extraction (interactive mode)
In addition, registered users can:
Launch a Batch extraction and define several options:
Generation of output file
Saving of the extraction
Request for receiving information when the selected dataset has been updated
Define the query as “default” for the selected dataset
Generate the output file without displaying the result table
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13. EASY COMEXT – Displaying the results
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14. Dissemination means: Comext on-line
Restricted
COMEXT ON-LINE is a Java based interface giving access to external trade database
Database size = ~1.700 Gb
Nb Users = ~800
Nb records loaded in 2011 = ~2,5 billions total, ~1,6 billions MS
Nb records stored for 2011 (1 record containing 12 months of values, quantities, ...) = 80 millions
Nb extractions in 2011 = ~60.000
About 40 redistributors of Comext data
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15. Dissemination means: Comext on-line
Using the same “concept” than Easy Comext, the analytical version is providing advanced features:
Multiple “Databases” access
Reorganise function (management of the name, the properties and the number of dimensions)
Reshape functions (Drop and Vector options)
Management of User’s formulas to be computed during the extraction
Additional output formats
Services
Advanced post computation options
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16. Comext On-Line : Output formats
Print
Printable table
Dump
Structured flat file
Generate Table
Text file pre formatted for Excel or Dbase
Out Data
Set of several ouput formats (XML, CSV, DAT, ..)
Graph
Set of several Graph options (Pie, Line, Bar, Area, Bubble, Scatter
Map
For dimension having an associated Map information
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17. Comext On-Line : Services
Services enable user to predefine a full process, from extraction definition to output files. The extraction plan is defined, the date and time is scheduled and the outputs are defined.
The results (extractions and output files) are stored in the user repository and can also be sent to the user by
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18. Comext On-Line
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19. Dissemination Means – Others
Eurostat Data Explorer interface
DVD –Bulk download
Publications
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20. Eurostat Data Explorer interface
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21. Exemple of Eurostat Data Explorer
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22. Comext DVD DVD copies distributed each month
Direct download 276 GB/year
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23. Publications Monthly News Release  Euro indicators
News Releases for EU summits
Statistics in focus (SIF)
Yearbook
Pocketbook
Methodological publications:
Quality report
Geonomenclature
etc.
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24. Statistics Explained (SE)
Based on WIKI technology
Editing restricted to ESTAT staff
Information organised in statistical “articles”
Will gradually replace PDF publications
Targeted to non-expert users
English + a subset translated in all EU languages
Use of hyperlinks (internal or external)
Is not intended to show the latest information  website
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25. Example of a statistical article
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26. User support User support
Xnet Assist:
Training
3 courses per month in Brussels or Luxembourg
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27. Communication with users (Assist)
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28. Communication with users (Assist)
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29. Challenges
Harmonisation of IT tools: user needs vs. standardisation (Comext / Data Explorer)
Code of Practice: Equal treatment vs. EU commercial interests (e.g.TARIC data dissemination)
Simplification vs. Quality (e.g. net mass reporting)
Strategy in cooperation with third countries (Eurotrace) and data exchange
MEETS program - new business architecture for Eurostat / ESS
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30. Thank you for your attention!
Any question?
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