F. Economic variables for FATS 4.46. A wide range of economic data or variables -
operational and financial - in regard to FATS may be
pertinent for analytical and policy purposes. The
selection of the variables to be collected should be based
primarily on their usefulness in implementing GATS
and in analysing globalization phenomena. The
practicalities of data availability also must be
considered. With such considerations in mind, the
present Manual recommends that the FATS variables to
be collected include at least the following basic
measures of foreign affiliate activity: (a) sales
(turnover) and/or output, (b) employment, (c) value
added, (d) exports and imports of goods and services,
and (e) number of enterprises. Although these variables
constitute a basic set that can provide answers to a
variety of questions, additional measures of foreign
affiliate activities may prove useful in addressing
specific issues. The Manual suggests several measures
that might be considered for collection by countries that
are able to compile such additional information. Most of
both the “basic” and the “additional” variables were
drawn from the 1993 SNA, as were their definitions.
4.47. To provide a concrete illustration of how these
variables might be presented, table 4 presents a sample
table format in which the basic variables could be
presented, classified by activity on the basis of ICFA.
Additional tables might be constructed to view the
variables from different perspectives. For example, time
series or geographic detail could be shown for a single
variable by placing time periods or country names,
rather than the names of the variables, in the table
heading.
