Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services

2. Other statistical systems and classifications 
(a) 
Joint OECD-Eurostat Trade in Services 
Classification 
2.40. The Joint OECD-Eurostat Trade in Services 
Classification
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 is closely linked to BPM5. It can be 
characterized as a disaggregation of the BPM5 
classification for balance of payments transactions in 
trade in services.  It covers all service transactions 
between residents and non-residents. The main 
categories of this classification are identical to the 11 
main service categories of the BPM5 standard 
components, and the two-, three- and four-digit items 
are compatible with these standard components and 
BPM5 services subcomponents, with one minor 
exception, the treatment of construction services, 
which also affects other business services. The Joint 
Classification asks for data on construction abroad and 
construction in the compiling economy. Both of these 
items include goods and services purchased by 
construction services operations, while BPM5 
recommends that these expenditures for goods and 
services purchased in the host economy be included in 
other business services, other.  With this one 
exception, compiling and reporting on the basis of the 
Joint Classification simultaneously satisfies IMF 
requirements. The Joint Classification is also partially 
linked to the Central Product Classification through its 
relationship with BPM5. 
2.41.  The Joint Classification represents a first attempt 
to take account of GATS, particularly as regards 
financial services and telecommunications, and it also 
                                                 
30 
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 
and Eurostat, OECD Statistics on International Trade in 
Services  (Brussels/Luxembourg and Paris, 2000), appendix 1; 
may also be accessed at http://www.oecd.org/std/TISclass.pdf. 
reflects the statistical implications of the completion of 
the European Communities’ Single Market in Services, 
which entailed a great number of directives relating to 
financial, telecommunications, transport, tourism and 
audiovisual services. 
2.42.  EBOPS, as recommended in the present Manual, 
is a disaggregation of the Joint Classification. 
(b) OECD Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct 
Investment 
2.43.  Foreign direct investment has assumed a crucial 
role in the internationalization of economic activities. 
The third edition of the OECD Benchmark Definition of 
Foreign Direct Investment
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 (BD3) provides operational 
guidance, within the conceptual framework of BPM5 
and as an elaboration of it, on how foreign direct 
investment data should be compiled to meet 
internationally agreed standards. 
(c) OECD Manual on Economic Globalisation 
Indicators
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2.44. The proposed OECD manual on economic 
globalization indicators will provide a framework of 
methodological and statistical guidelines for 
constructing indicators, on an internationally 
harmonized basis for use by policy makers and for the 
systematic monitoring over time of the progressive 
degree of worldwide economic integration. GATS 
obligations relate to many aspects of the presence of 
enterprises established abroad, which supply services 
through mode 3, commercial presence. As explained in 
paragraphs 4.1-4.15 below, FATS statistics provide 
information on the activities of majority-owned foreign 
affiliates.  Although the OECD manual will cover a 
wider canvas than FATS statistics, the FATS framework 
has been conceived in a way that is consistent with the 
framework that is expected to be defined in the OECD 
manual.