Within the framework of its Statistical Capacity Building (StatCaB) Programme, SESRIC organised a Training Course on “International Trade Statistics” on 14-15 May 2025. The course brought together 47 statisticians and experts from National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and responsible authorities for the foreign trade statistics of 14 French-speaking OIC countries.

Mr. Houssaine OULJOUR, Head of Research and Statistics Department at the Moroccan Foreign Exchange Office (responsible authority for the foreign trade statistics operating under the Ministry of Finance) conducted the training course and covered the following topics:

• Macroeconomic framework and external accounts statistics
  • Legal framework and institutional arrangements
• International merchandise trade statistics: concepts and definitions
  • System of trade
  • Data collection and dissemination
  • Metadata and quality indicators
• Handbook of International Trade Statistics
• Direct and indirect reporting
• The main concepts: link with balance of payments (residence, territory, etc.)
• Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification 2010 (EBOPS 2010)
• Detailed presentation of the sectors: goods, international transport, and construction

In addition, Mr. Charif El HAMRAOUI from the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT) shared a presentation on ICDT’s experience in the collection and analysis of foreign trade data. This contribution was made within the scope of the joint activities agreed upon during the 8th Session of the Annual Coordination Meeting of OIC Institutions (ACMOI), held in December 2024 in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

For more information on the SESRIC Statistical Capacity Building (StatCaB) Programme, please visit: http://www.oicstatcom.org/statcab.php