Bulgarian National Bank

Macroeconomic Statistics Division, Statistics Directorate

1, Knyaz Alexander І Sq., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

The different domains relevant for external sector statistics (Balance of Payments -BOP, International Investment Position - IIP, Foreign Direct Investment - FDI, and International Trade in Services - ITS) sent to Eurostat are based on the BOP Vademecum reflecting requirements laid down in the Regulation (EC) No 184/2005 on Community statistics concerning BOP, ITS, and FDI, as amended by the Commission Regulation (EU) No 555/2012 of 22 June 2012 and Regulation (EU) No 2016/1013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016.

These datasets are broadly in line with the sixth edition of the IMF’s Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6), the OECD Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct Investment (BD4) and the Manual on Statistics of International Trade in services 2010 (MSITS 2010).

Monthly and quarterly BOP summarize transactions between residents and nonresidents during a specific period. BOP data consist of the goods and services account, the primary income account, the secondary income account, the capital account, and the functional categories of the financial account (direct investment, portfolio investment, financial derivatives and employee stock options, other investment and reserve assets). Differences between the current and capital account on the one hand and the financial account on the other hand are visible under Net errors and omissions that result from imperfections in source data, inconsistent reporting by enterprises and compilation issues. 

Quarterly IIP shows for a country all financial claims on nonresidents and a country’s liabilities to nonresidents at a certain point in time. The breakdown follows the functional categories of the financial account (direct investment, portfolio investment, financial derivatives (other than reserve assets) and employee stock options, other investment, and reserve assets). The sign of the balance shows whether the domestic economic sectors have a net creditor or net debtor position vis-à-vis other countries. The other changes in financial assets and liabilities accounts (revaluations due to exchange rate, revaluations due to other price changes and other changes in the volume) reconcile the balance of payments and IIP for a specific period, by showing changes due to economic events other than transactions between residents and nonresidents.

Annual FDI statistics (consisting of financial account transactions, current account primary income figures and IIP position data) is a category of cross-border investment associated with a resident in one economy (direct investor) having control or a significant degree of influence on the management of an enterprise that is resident in another economy (direct investment enterprise). By convention, such a lasting interest exists when a direct investor owns 10% or more of the voting power or the equivalent (for an unincorporated enterprise). Operational definitions of control and influence are explained in BPM6 § 6.12. Furthermore, the definition of direct investment is the same as in the fourth edition of the OECD Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct Investment.

Annual ITS statistics record services transactions between residents and non-residents and cover the following categories: manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others; Maintenance and repair services, not included elsewhere; transport; travel; construction; insurance and pension services; financial services; charges for the use of intellectual property, not included elsewhere; telecommunication, computer and information services; other business services; personal, cultural and recreational services; and government goods and services, not included elsewhere. The services categories are listed in the Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification (EBOPS 2010).

Тhe BNB compiles and publishes the international investment position in accordance with the sixth edition of the IMF's Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6), the "BPM6 Compilation Guide" (IMF, 2014), and the “Recommendation of the European Central Bank”.

Classification used for the BOP, IIP, FDI and ITS statistics are in broad conformity with guidelines outlined in the relevant manual (e.g., BPM6, BD4).

Nonfinancial transactions in the BOP are generally grouped according to their nature and characteristics. Produced assets are covered in the goods and services account. Primary income captures returns for the provision of labour and financial assets and for renting of natural resources. Secondary income captures further redistribution of income through current transfers, such as by governments, private households or charitable organization in cash or in kind. The capital account is split into gross acquisitions and disposals of nonproduced nonfinancial assets and other capital transfers.

Positions and flows of financial assets and liabilities are primarily grouped according to the BPM6 functional categories. Five functional categories of investment are distinguished: (a) direct investment, (b) portfolio investment, (c) financial derivatives (other than reserves) and employee stock options, (d) other investment, and (e) reserve assets. These functional categories reflect on economic motivations and patterns of behaviour. Positions, the associated income and financial account transactions, and other changes are based on three broad categories of financial assets and liabilities: (1) equity and investment fund shares, (2) debt instruments, and (3) other financial assets and liabilities.

Annual FDI flows are classified according to the directional principle, that is grouping the FDI transactions according to the status of the resident entity; 1) FDI abroad, if the resident entity is the direct investor or, in the case of transactions between fellows companies, if the “Ultimate Controlling Parent (UCP)” is also located in the compiling economy,  2) FDI in the reporting economy, if the resident entity is the direct investment enterprise or, in the case of transactions between fellows companies, if the “Ultimate Controlling Parent (UCP)” is not located in the compiling economy. In the directional presentation, reverse investment can be seen as equivalent to the withdrawal of investment. The instrument classification differentiates between equity (other than reinvestment of earnings), reinvestment of earnings and debt instruments.

Annual FDI income shows amounts payable and receivable between resident and non-resident entities in return for providing financial direct investment assets to the rest of the world, or incurring direct investment liabilities vis-à-vis the rest of the world. The instrument classification differentiates between dividends, reinvested earnings, and income on debt.

FDI positions are also classified according to the directional principle, split into net FDI positions abroad and net FDI positions in the reporting economy. The instrument classification differentiates between equity (including reinvested earnings) and debt instruments.

For all FDI statistics, the geographical allocation is made according to the economic residence of the immediate direct investor or immediate direct investment enterprise, and the recommended classification by activity is that of the direct investment enterprise (to avoid asymmetry issues).  The industrial activity level is based on ISIC4/NACE Rev.2.

International Trade in Services data are presented in line with the Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification (EBOPS 2010).

Known deviations:

Regulation (EU) No 549/2013 (ESA2010) (par. 5.119) and the BPM6 Manual (par. 5.42) provide that funds between deposit-taking corporations are always recorded as deposits. Concerning deposit/loans liabilities of deposit-taking corporations to other counterparts, BPM6 foresees the additional convention that these are to be recorded as deposits, irrespective of the maturity, while ESA 2010 restricts this to short-term funds. Concerning deposit/loans assets of deposit-taking corporations vis-à-vis other counterparts BPM6 foresees the additional convention that these are to be recorded as loans, while ESA 2010 (in § 5.118) makes a similar reference for short-term loans.

Specifically for euro area: The definition of reserve assets is in line with BPM6 guidelines. However, as a member of the euro area, the definition of monetary reserves in a MS’s BOP includes (inter alia) only those liquid claims denominated in foreign currency that the MS’s central bank holds on non-euro area residents. Claims on residents of other euro area countries, regardless of the currency, are part of other external assets.

Institutional units are grouped into institutional sectors according to similar economic objectives, functions, and behaviour.

The sector classifications based on the BOP Vademecum are:

Central bank (S.121); Monetary Financial Institutions (MFI) other than central bank (S.122) (incl. Deposit-taking corporations except the central bank; Money Market Funds (S.123)); General government (S.13); and Other sectors.

The Other Sectors consist of Financial Corporations other than MFIs (S.12); Non-Financial Corporations (S.11); Households (S.14); and Non-profit institutions serving households (S.15).

Exception to BPM6:

A deviation from the BPM6 sector classification is that Money Market Funds are part of Other sectors (in BPM6) whereas they are part of the MFI sector for European Statistics according to the Vademecum.

Allocation to institutional sectors is done at the lowest level of detail. Detailed instructions for the respondents, including description of border cases are published at the BNB's web-site (here: Institutional sectors). Accuracy and harmonisation between different statistics produced by the BNB is granted by using an internally developed register which contains various attributes (among which institutional sector, Nace rev.2 code, etc.).

The overall conceptual framework of BOP, IIP, FDI and ITS are in broad conformity with the most recent manuals as well as the EC Guidelines and Eurostat’s Vademecum.

Statistical concepts and definitions relate to basic internationally accepted standards and guidelines for external sector statistics; for instance:

• All resident-nonresident transactions covered;
• The concept of residency adhered to;
• For the BOP, the concept of gross reporting is followed for the current and capital account; and the net basis for financial account transactions (separately for the individual asset and liability components);
• The change of economic ownership principle soundly applied;
• FDI is defined as equity ownership representing 10 percent or more of the voting power;
• The accrual basis is broadly applied;
• Market values or appropriate substitute measures are used;#
• the residence of Special Purpose Entities (SPEs) is attributed to the economy in which they are legally domiciled or incorporated;
• Overall, the classification, netting and ordering in the IIP is consistent with BPM6; current, capital, and financial accounts of the balance of payments statement are defined according to the BPM6.

Known Deviation (Source: Vademecum):

BOP/IIP data are to be compiled following the debtor/creditor approach, instead of the “transactor” approach. In other words, the geographical allocation of assets/credits is to be done on the basis of the residency of the issuer/debtor and not of the “transactor”. This is particularly relevant for portfolio and direct investment functional categories, which record tradable instruments. This approach is to be followed consistently in the geographical and sector allocation of investment income, financial transactions and stocks.

The BNB disseminates both the standard and the analytical presentations of the balance of payments based largely on the framework recommended in the sixth edition of the IMF's Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6). Furthermore, specific compilation recommendations from relevant international bodies are observed. In particular, as specified in the ECB Guideline (ECB/2011/23 of 9 December 2011, as amended) and Commission Regulation (EU) No 184/2005 (as amended).

Institutional units are defined in conformity with BPM6 and relate to those that have a predominant centre of economic interest in the country. In principle, any individual, corporation or other institution that provides information on the transactions/positions between the residents and non-residents of a country during a given period is included. Resident institutional units engaged with nonresidents also cover in principle:

-       incorporated or unincorporated affiliates of nonresident companies; and SPEs with little or no physical presence;

-       resident territorial enclaves in the rest of the world (e.g., embassies, military basis);

-       free zones/bonded warehouses/factories operated by offshore enterprises under customs control;

-       Citizens who work or live temporarily in another country (seasonal and cross border commuters, students and patients).

Any individual, corporation or other institution that provides information on the transactions or positions between the residents and non-residents of a country during a given period.

Not applicable.

BOP statistical population includes all the economic transactions and positions between residents and non-residents. The coverage of the statistical population assured by the reported transactions and positions can be very different for different BOP items. Information on the transactions and positions can be provided by individuals, corporations or institutions.

The economic territory of Bulgaria, including the Bulgarian embassies and representations in foreign countries. The counterpart country collected (in particular in the surveys described under § 2.2.1) is the immediate counterpart. The geographical zone of the ultimate counterpart is also collected in the FDI survey (operations vis-à-vis sister companies for extended directional principle). We use the same delineation of counterpart areas as presented in Appendix 4 of BOP Vademecum on “Contents of country codes, Inclusions and exclusions of certain territories in country codes“ in our bop compilation for both Eurostat/ECB, and for the IMF.

Time series for Current account, Goods, Services, Primary income, Secondary Income, Capital account start at Q1'1998. FDI flows, FDI positions and IIP data are available from Q1'2010.

Not applicable.

All data sent to Eurostat are in Millions of Euro for Euro Area countries and in Millions of National currency for non-Euro Area countries. The unit of dissemination is Euro.

Data are available in millions of euro and millions of national currency. Some data are also disseminated as share of GDP.

The monthly (MBOP), quarterly (QBOP) BOP, and quarterly FDI transactions summarize economic transactions between residents and nonresidents during the respective reference period.  The annual ITS dataset summarizes services transactions over the period of one year.

The quarterly IIP statement as well as the annual FDI stock statistics refer to a point in time at the end of the reference period; i.e., the last day of a quarter or year, respectively. The other changes in financial assets and liabilities of the IIP statement (revaluations due to exchange rate, revaluations due to other price changes and other changes in the volume) reconcile the BOP and IIP during a specific period.

The statistical activity in the Republic of Bulgaria is regulated by the Statistics Act, Article 42 of the Law on the Bulgarian National Bank, Foreign Exchange Act, Law for Protection of Personal Data, Electronic Government Act and a significant number of EC and ECB Regulations in the field of statistics.
Under Article 42 of the Law on the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), the central bank is responsible for the compilation of the b.o.p. of Bulgaria. This law stipulates that all government and municipal authorities, as well as legal entities and physical persons, shall provide information in accordance with a procedure established by the central bank.
Articles 7 to 10 of the Foreign Exchange Act and Ordinance No. 27 of the central bank on the Balance of Payments, International Investment Position and Securities Statistics complete the legal framework for the collection of data from reporters, including sanctions for the failure to comply with the reporting requirements.

Institutional Mandate – in European level:
- Regulation No 184/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 January 2005 on Community statistics concerning balance of payments, international trade in services and foreign direct investment;

- Council Regulation (EC) No 2533/98 of 23 November 1998 concerning the collection of statistical information by the European Central Bank;

In order to achieve greater consistency of activities and deadlines for production of statistical information and reduce the reporting burden of respondents, the BNB has agreements with the NSI, the Ministry of Finance and other state institutions.
For the purpose of b.o.p. and i.i.p. compilation a stable and regular data exchange between BNB and NSI the two institutions is established, and the BNB obtains monthly data on foreign trade and number of travellers, quarterly data on illegal activities, FISIM, insurance services, non-life insurance premiums and claims and annual data on resident non-financial foreign direct enterprises.
All methodological and data quality issues are discussed on regular meetings that are organised on demand of one of the institutions.

BOP Vademecum (2021): Chapter V “Statistical confidentiality” of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics regulates protection and transmissions of confidential data within ESS and ESCB. Confidentiality status attribute is mandatory in BOP and FDI DSDs and thus each observation has to be flagged with a confidentiality status.

When the information is already released and disseminated by the national compiler (e.g. it is published on the national compiler's website) applying confidentiality status attributes such as C "Primary confidential statistical information", D “secondary confidentiality set and managed by the national compiler” or N "Not for publication, restricted for internal use only" is not justified.

Quality issues should be much less frequent for quarterly BOP and IIP data. The confidentiality status attribute "Not for publication, restricted for internal use only" - N flag – shall be used conservatively and rather in cases of more detailed breakdowns (e.g. geographical, instrument or sector breakdown). Using confidentiality status (C or D or N flags) to suppress publication of data with insufficient quality should be avoided. Observation status with U flag (low reliability) should be used instead. This would indicate existing observations and, at the same time, users will be aware of the low quality assigned.

This indicator refers to Eurostat Quality Report Chapter 1.1.2.The analysis in this section focuses on the availability of the data to the users. The tables present the number of cells flagged as confidential and non - publishable, compared with the total number of cells that have to be provided according to the BOP Regulation.

Bulgaria has continued to provide data which are almost 100% available to the users. Only a little bit ITSS data are flagged as primary and secondary confidentiality.

Eurostat release calendar can be found under http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/news/release-calendar

BOP, IIP, FDI statistic is published according to the Statistical Data Release Calendar available at BNB’s website in the section Press Office/ Calendar.

Publications and other services are available to users of statistics on the BNB website free of charge https://bnb.bg/AboutUs/PressOffice/POCalendar/index.htm?toLang=_EN 

Press releases, tables and data series are available to users of statistics on the BNB website following the Statistical Data Release Calendar. 

Eurostat Website:

BOP: monthly and quarterly

FDI flows and stocks: annually

IIP: quarterly and annually        

ITS: annually

BNB Website:

BoP data: monthly, quarterly and annually
Remittances, international trade in services and foreign direct investment data (flows): monthly, quarterly and annually

FDI stocks: quarterly and annually

IIP: quarterly and annually

ITS (aggregated data): monthly, quarterly and annually

Available at www.bnb.bg, Statistics/ External sector or Statistical database

At Eurostat, the database for external sector statistics gives access to the following statistics:

• Monthly and quarterly BOP and quarterly IIP statistics;
• Annual data on ITS;
• Annual data on FDI positions, transactions and income;
• Detailed data on international transactions involving the European institutions.

Harmonized data is available for the European Union, the euro area, the EU Member States, the United Kingdom, EFTA countries, candidate and potential candidate countries.

 https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/balance-of-payments/data/database

Available at www.bnb.bg, Statistics/ Statistical database

Not applicable.

Monthly BOP data; Quarterly BOP data; Quarterly IIP data; Monthly, Quarterly and Annual FDI data (stocks and flows) are available at the BNB's web page www.bnb.bg

No microdata are disseminated because of confidentiality constrains.

Comprehensive explanation on BOP, IIP, FDI, ITSS statistics sources and methods is published on the BNB's website and is updated regularly. It includes information on concepts, definitions, classifications, data sources, compilation methods, statistical techniques and other methodological aspects and procedures.

Methodological notes are available on the following links:

https://bnb.bg/bnbweb/groups/public/documents/bnb_download/st_m_instr_bop6_en.pdf for BOP and ITSS data

Microsoft Word - 211030_S_Meth_IIP.docx (bnb.bg) - for IIP data

Microsoft Word - 211029_S_Meth_FDI-en.docx (bnb.bg) - for FDI data

Comprehensive explanation on BOP, IIP, FDI, ITSS statistics sources and methods is published on the BNB's website and is updated regularly. It includes information on concepts, definitions, classifications, data sources, compilation methods, statistical techniques and other methodological aspects and procedures.

Methodological notes are available on the following links:

https://bnb.bg/bnbweb/groups/public/documents/bnb_download/st_m_instr_bop6_en.pdf for BOP and ITSS data

Microsoft Word - 211030_S_Meth_IIP.docx (bnb.bg) - for IIP data

Microsoft Word - 211029_S_Meth_FDI-en.docx (bnb.bg) - for FDI data

The methodological notes on BOP, IIP, ITSS and FDI data compilation can be found at www.BNB.bg/ Statistics/ Methodological Notes.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

This indicator refers to the quality assurance framework (QAF) in place within an organisation to manage the quality of statistical products and processes.

The source data are analyzed for underreporting/misreporting, in particular to check for:
- temporal consistency,
- consistency with related data sources.

During the data compilation process the Integrated statistical information system of the BNB does not allow processing errors such as coding, editing and tabulation errors. Automatic formal and logical control are implemented in that system. Cross-checking techniques are implemented for verifying the accuracy of the data. Intermediate balance of payments items are analyzed reporter by reporter for the data behavior (e.g., unusual growth patterns) and, when necessary, reporting units are contacted for additional information. Quality checks inslude also analysis of the aggregated data series and periodic reviews in order to identify necessary steps to maintain quality requirements.

Collection, processing and dissemination of statistics are organized in such a way as to ensure that quality is closely monitored.

Analyses of the net errors and omissions are being conducted regularly.

Quality assessment for data till Q22022:

This indicator refers to the Eurostat Quality Report Chapter 7 and 8: Overall Assessment.

Bulgaria achieves good or excellent results on most items regarding relevance, punctuality and coherence. However, National Accounts and BOP are currently not fully aligned especially in Investment/Property income and in Secondary income. Remaining differences are still ongoing and measures will be implemented within the benchmark revision in 2024.

Large asymmetries will be addressed via the FDI and ITS ARM framework.

To guarantee the quality of results, European statistics shall be developed, produced and disseminated on the basis of uniform standards and of harmonised methods. In this respect, Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council quality criteria (a) ‘relevance’ refers to the degree to which statistics meet current and potential needs of the users. Meeting the requirements of the EC Regulation on community statistics concerning balance of payments, international trade in services and foreign direct investment confirms relevance for the user “Eurostat” as recipient of the data sets on behalf of its user community.

Furthermore, relevance is also indirectly accomplished by countries participating in domain specific committees and working groups as well as the worldwide update of the manuals whose aim it is to keep the standards and statistics as relevant as possible going forward.

Compliance with the BPM6 requirements for monthly and quarterly bop, and quarterly iip for the period observed is excellent. 

Internal users: national accounts, financial accounts, research department; External users: policymakers, journalists, students, researchers, international organizations.

Not applicable.

The completeness for monthly and quarterly balance of payments, quarterly international investment position continues to be 100% as in previous years and almost 100% for ITS. Concerning not full completeness for ITS we are currently not able to further disaggregate Int_acc_item SF1 Direct insurance services into SF 11 Life insurance, SF12 Freight insurance and SF13 Direct insurance other than life and freight insurance and SG data with required geographical breakdown. Improvements are observed in achieved 100% completeness for FDI stocks and FDI flows and income.

Data completeness – the provided cells expressed as % of required cells refers to the completeness of BOP, IIP, FDI and ITS data provided to Eurostat based on the requirements of the BOP Regulation.

Accuracy of data is the closeness of computations or estimates to the exact or true values that the statistics were intended to measure.

Accuracy is being measured using three concepts: Reliability; Vintage Analysis; and Plausibility. See 13.1.

This section refers to the current Eurostat Quality Report Chapter 2.  

(i) Accuracy can be measured using the concept of Reliability - defined as the closeness of the initial estimated value to the subsequent estimated value. This section refers to the current Eurostat Quality Report 2.1.1. Quantitative assessment of revisions. Complementary information on Revisions are also provided under S17 Data Revision.

The quantitative analysis focuses on the size of revisions, their direction and the reliability of trends using the data provided by countries to Eurostat.

For the Monthly BOP, Quarterly BOP and Quarterly IIP items, revisions are assessed using two types of indicators both of which are based on the comparison between first and last assessments:

- Directional stability indicators measure how often the first assessment is subsequently revised in the same direction (the upward revisions ratio and the directional reliability indicator).

- Relative size indicators measure the difference between the first and the last assessments. These absolute differences may be quantified relative to the underlying series (when strictly positive) or to the underlying outstanding amounts. These indicators are the symmetric mean absolute percentage ratio, mean absolute comparative ratio and for net/balance series the net relative revisions.

(ii) Accuracy can be measured using the concept of Vintage Analysis. This section refers to the current Eurostat Quality Report 2.1.2 Vintage Analysis. For the assessment of annual data (ITSS, credit and debit, FDI flows and positions, inward and outward), the analysis focuses on the differences between the values as reported in the last 4 data deliveries to Eurostat. The counterpart area is Extra EU27 and Rest of the World.

(iii) Accuracy can be measured using the concept of Plausibility – referring to the absence of unexplained changes. This section refers to the current Eurostat Quality Report 2.2. Plausibility. This concept calculates the share of unallocated partner or activity from total (%) for ITS, FDI flows and positions.

Revisions in BG BOP, IIP, FDI and ITSS data are in general caused by late availability of the data. In items with small amounts such revisions could often have high impact in relative terms. Directional reliability remains good.

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

According to the provisions of the Commission Regulation (EU) No 184/2005 and ECB Guideline ECB/2011/23 datasets are reported by countries to Eurostat with the following timeliness:

The BOP regulation defines the timeliness and sets the deadlines for the data transmission to Eurostat as follows:

-      Monthly BOP: 44 days after the end of the reference period;

-      Quarterly BOP, quarterly IIP and quarterly revaluations: 82/85 days after the end of the reference period;

-      ITS: 9 months after the end of the reference period;

-      FDI: 9 months after the end of the reference period (21 months for the activity breakdown).

Within Seven weeks after the end of the reference period following the Statistics calendar.

The revision process is carried out at a monthly, a quarterly and an annual frequency. The revision of a year or a quarter involves the revision of every month concerned. Data (monthly and quarterly) become final 33 months after the end of the reference year.

Data are provided either on or ahead of the scheduled date of transmission.

This indicator refers to Eurostat Quality Report 3.1 Punctuality.

Punctuality is calculated as the actual date of data delivery minus the scheduled date of transmission to Eurostat. It shows how many calendar days this was behind (positive value) or ahead of (negative value) the legal deadline.

Coherence refers to the adequacy of the data to be reliably combined in different ways and for various uses.

In the Eurostat Quality Report, the analysis of coherence focuses on two aspects: internal consistency, that examines to which extent data are coherent within the dataset, and external consistency, that examines to which extent data are coherent with others statistics (e.g., NA) obtained by different sources or within different statistical frameworks.

Comparability refers to the measurement of the impact of differences in applied statistical concepts and methodologies, measurement tools and procedures applied, when statistics are compared between geographical areas, sectoral domains (e.g., with QSA, ITGS data) or over time. 

The BNB remains committed to participating in all initiated ARM including the mechanism for the resolution in asymmetries in ITSS data. In 2022 the BNB took part in three virtual meeting with the colleagues from Romania to exchange views on asymmetries on services between both countries. Our intentions are to improve estimations for non-reporting and grossing-up in other business services as the results of reduced asymmetries to be implemented with the next benchmark revision in 2024.

This section refers to the current Eurostat Quality Report 5.3.1. Bilateral Intra-EU asymmetries are presented in Annex 3 to the Eurostat Quality report.

Asymmetries are the result of differences in measurement, in the procedures applied and in the interpretation of statistical concepts. Thus, asymmetries can be regarded as a measure of comparability.

National compilers are encouraged to perform regular checks of their FDI transactions and positions through the FDI network and possibly conduct bilateral exercises to reduce asymmetries in services.

With the introduction of BPM6 in 2015, data have been reconciled, starting with the year 1998.

Time series for Current account, Goods, Services, Primary income, Secondary Income, Capital account start at Q1'1998. FDI flows, FDI positions and IIP data are available from Q1'2010.

Methodological guidelines for compiling BoP, ITS and FDI statistics are defined by the Balance of Payments Manual 6th edition and are further specified by the Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services of the United Nations and the OECD Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct Investments (4th edition).

For Bulgaria, there are no deviations from these international standards.

Methodological guidelines for compiling BOP, IIP, FDI and ITS statistics are defined by the BPM6, the Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services of the United Nations, and the OECD Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct Investments (BD4). 

The methodology for Goods and Services is outlined in Chapter 10 of the IMF BPM6. For community statistics, countries are expected to record different values for Goods “national” and “community” concepts, if applicable. 

The methodology for Goods and Services is outlined in Chapter 10 of the IMF BPM6.

The BNB intends to change data sourse for Travel item and to replace estimates by purpose of the travel with the NSI data received by the survey conducted monthly with the next benchmark revision in 2024. One of the main purposes is to update the estimation model and to reduce asymmetries as well.

The methodology for Primary Income is outlined in Chapter 11 of the IMF BPM6.

The methodology for Secondary Income is outlined in Chapter 12 of the IMF BPM6.

The methodology for the Capital Account is outlined in Chapter 13 of the IMF BPM6.

The methodology for Direct Investment is outlined in Chapters 6, 8 and Appendix 6 of the IMF BPM6.

The FDI data for 2021 are preliminary and are to be further supplemented with data from NSI’s annual census survey, which will have an impact on asymmetries.

The methodology for Portfolio Investment is outlined in Chapters 6, and 8 of the IMF BPM6.

The methodology for Other Investment is outlined in Chapters 6, and 8 of the IMF BPM6.

The methodology for Financial Derivatives is outlined in Chapters 6, and 8 of the IMF BPM6.

None

None

These indicators refer to Chapter 6 and the corresponding tables of the Eurostat Quality Report: Coherence.

The comparability between BOP, IIP, FDI, ITS and National accounts is ensured by the application of common concepts and definitions of BPM6 and the 2008 SNA/ESA 2010.

Further information and country-specific feedback is provided below. 

These indicators refer to Chapter 6 and the corresponding tables of the Eurostat Quality Report: Coherence.

The comparability between BOP, IIP, FDI, ITS and National accounts is ensured by the application of common concepts and definitions of BPM6 and the 2008 SNA/ESA 2010.

Further information and country-specific feedback is provided below.

The differences between BOP/ITGS are presented in item 19. Comment under file BG Annex2 BoPITGS reconciliation table filled by BG.xlsx.
The main source of data for the Goods BOP component is the International Trade in Goods Statistics compiled by the NSI based on Intrastat for intra–EU trade and information on extra–EU transactions provided by the National Customs Authority (which processes custom trade declarations for export and import of goods to/from non-EU countries).

In order to ensure compliance with the b.o.p. “change in economic ownership” principle, the NSI data are adjusted by the central bank, by adding/deducting the following elements e.g:

(+) (-) Goods under processing (identified according to the nature of transaction codification system)

(+)Merchanting (collected via ITS quarterly survey conducted by the central bank

(+) Shuttle trade

(+) Goods procured in ports by carriers not already included in FTS (collected via quarterly survey conducted by the central bank)

(+) CIF-FOB coefficient

(+) illegal goods, estimated by the NSI for National Accounts purposes.

All the adjustments are performed both for monthly and quarterly BOP. For quarterly input data, monthly estimates are made.

Inconsistensies in Services for 2021 are due to later received data for FISIM by the Bulgarian NSI and this issue are expected to be eliminated in the next BOP transmission in March 2023. Good cooperation and further analysis of the inconsistencies between B.o.p and Rest of the world account in national accouts data led to better results in Secondary income for the period 2020-2021. Remaining differences in Investment/Property income and in Secondary income are still ongoing and measures will be implemented if possible during the autumn 2023 transmissions or within the benchmark revision in 2024. Consistences in Goods, Compensation of empoyees and Capital account continues to be excellent.

These indicators refer to Chapter 6 and the corresponding tables of the Eurostat Quality Report: Coherence. 

Concepts, definitions, and classifications for producing quarterly and annual balance of payments statistics are the same. The sum of the quarterly statistics and the annual statistics are consistent. When changes in source data, methodology, or techniques are introduced, historical series are reconstructed as far back as reasonably possible. The consistency for all datasets transmitted by the BNB continues to be excellent.

No  discrepancies  between  monthly  and quarterly   data   should   occur   as   the BOP/IIP   IT system   is   built   to   assure consistency automatically.

Consistency between BOP and IIP data was achieved.

Analyses of the net errors and omissions are being conducted regularly and we will continue our efforts to improve data quality by monitoring and investigating deviations in that issue.

Not applicable

Source: A Harmonised European Revision Policy for Macroeconomic Statistics; CMFB October 2017. Macroeconomic statistics, such as national accounts, the balance of payments and the international investment position, are produced from a large variety of data sources. These data sources are reconciled using an approach based on an agreed set of international guidelines. The sources used to estimate macroeconomic aggregates are provided with varying degrees of timeliness, taking up to three years or more in the case of structural sources. As users need national and international data as fast as possible, particularly on certain key aggregates like gross domestic product (GDP), data are produced using the sources and related indicators that are more readily available. As more complete data are obtained from these sources in due course and the structural sources are made available, the statistics are updated to incorporate the new information.

Such revisions of macroeconomic statistics are necessary to improve quality, but can be inconvenient for users. To minimise this inconvenience, revisions should ideally be coordinated within one country, across different statistics, and then across countries. International comparability – and the compilation of EU and euro area aggregate statistics – is hampered when different revision policy schemes are applied in different countries. As the schedule of revision of national accounts and balance of payments statistics varies from country to country, this creates inconsistencies among different statistical domains.

The European Statistical System (ESS) and the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) try to strike the right balance between incorporating the necessary statistical revisions and maintaining an acceptable degree of consistency across domains and countries. To this end, the two systems have worked together to draw up guidelines for a harmonised revision policy for macroeconomic statistics.

A distinction should be made between 'routine' revisions and 'major' or 'benchmark' revisions. Routine revisions refer to the changes made to the economic data published initially and to its subsequent releases for a particular reference quarter or year. The earlier estimates typically undergo the most significant revision. In routine revisions, the number of past periods being revised (the 'depth' of the revision) is typically relatively limited. Benchmark revision is carried out at much longer time intervals. Its purpose is to incorporate the main new data sources and major changes in international statistical methodology (such as ESA 2010 or BPM6). In benchmark revision, many years are open for revision in order to create the longest possible consistent time series.

The National Statistical Offices and the National Central Banks are not legally bound by this common policy, but voluntarily agree to it and commit to gradually implement it with the aim of delivering more consistent statistics to users. The level of adherence to the guidelines of countries' revision policies will be monitored regularly.

For the reference period of the previous year, the revision of the BOP, IIP, FDI and ITSS data include routine revisions, that are performed twice a year (in March and September) mainly in order to incorporate the final results of statistical surveys, additional data or correction of errors.

For Other services - the initial monthly data are based on BNB estimations. In later transmissions the data are replaced and/or complemented with the quarterly reports from direct reporters. The revisions in the financial account items are in general due to the late availability of the data. Larger revisions in the Other investment account are due to the quarterly reporting of financial loans and trade credits by the resident enterprises as well as to the late availability of BIS data (for the assets only). For Direct investment, liabilities, the non-financial sector data collected with a monthly and quarterly frequency used to be of a rather limited scope, and were later supplemented with the data from NSI’s annual census survey on FDI which become available with a 12-month lag. With the improved coverage of the sample survey starting with 1Q2019, revisions to the non-financial sector data are expected to decline, thus leading to improved stability and reliability of FDI data (flows, stocks, and equity income). Revisions of the Portfolio investments items resulted from additional data submitted by respondents. Some revisions in Primary and Secondary income and in Capital account were caused by the late inclusion of more precise sources of information.

Data revision is in compliance with the ECB Timetable for Exchange of Balance of Payments, International Investment Position and Reserve Assets Statistics within the ESCB (which includes a data revision timetable), as well as with the Eurostat Timetable for Exchange of data and policy of revisions in the European Union. Following the requirements of the ECB and Eurostat Timetables, the policy on revisions pursued by the BNB is based on the following principles:

(i) With the report for the first month of each quarter the monthly data for the whole current year are revised. With the reports for the second month of each quarter, only the data for the previous month are revised. With the reports for the third month of each quarter, the data for the previous two months are revised. With the January data, published in March, and the July data, published in September of the current reporting year, the timetables allow for revision of the data for the previous up to three years, if necessary. In December, with the publication of the data for October, a data revision for the current and previous year is possible, if necessary.

 (ii) When on-going changes are made due to additional information collected, as well as resulting from correction of errors, the BNB timely informs the users through the monthly press releases as well as in the footnotes at the balance of payments table.

(iii) When significant revisions are made due to changes in the methodology for reporting of certain BOP components or other reasons, the BNB publishes in advance information on the changes to facilitate the users of the data.

Revised data for the period January 2020 – June 2022 were revised with the September 2022 BOP, IIP, FDI and ITSS transmissions.

Not applicable. 

This quality concept refers to whether the composition of data sources (surveys, ITRS (International Transactions Reporting System), administrative data, ITGS, monetary and financial statistics, etc.), in principle, sufficiently covers the compilation of BOP, IIP, FDI and ITS. 

Please refer to Table Data-Sources Detail.

Data Sources for Credits:

Goods (incl. non-monetary gold) - data are compiled and provided monthly by the NSI (the National Revenue Agency provided Intrastat declarations, the Customs Agency – trade data with third countries);

•       Merchanting and goods procured in ports by carriers - quarterly survey of enterprises trading internationally in goods, services and current transfers;

•       Illegal activities are obtained quarterly from the NSI.

Ø  Services:

•       Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others - identified according to the nature of transaction codification system from foreign trade data provided by the NSI;

•       Freight transportation - estimates following a methodology of the BNB and the NSI  from foreign trade data by mode of transportation and nationality of the carrier;

•       Passenger transport - estimated from travel data;

•       Travel - based on NSI monthly data on the cross-border travels multiplied by the respective expenditure by type of purpose of travel based on the Border Survey among Traveling Bulgarians and Foreigners conducted by the BNB;

•       Maintenance and repair services n.i.e., Other transport services, Postal and Courier services, Other services - quarterly survey of enterprises trading internationally in goods, services and current transfers;

•       FISIM and insurance services are obtained quarterly from the NSI.

Ø  Primary income:

•       Compensation of employees – estimation model based on Border Survey among Traveling Bulgarians and Foreigners conducted by the BNB for credit side and National Revenue Agency for debit side;

•       Investment income – directly reported by banks, non-bank financial institutions, non-financial enterprises, the Ministry of Finance, the State Fund Agriculture, other government institutions, and the Bulgarian National Bank (General Accounting Directorate and Resolution of Credit Institutions Directorate).

Ø  Secondary income:

•       Current taxes on income, wealth, etc. - quarterly survey among resident non-financial foreign direct enterprises;

•       Non-life insurance premiums and claims - obtained quarterly from the NSI;

•       Current transfers - Ministry of Finance, General Accounting Directorate of the the BNB, the Bulgarian Red Cross, and from the regular quarterly survey of enterprises trading internationally in goods, services and current transfers.

•       Workers' remittances – estimations based on the number of Bulgarian emigrants transferring money to their relatives (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Agency for Bulgarians abroad, Bulgarian embassies abroad, NSI, Eurostat) and the amount of the average transfer (Border survey conducted by the BNB).

Ø  Capital account - the Ministry of Finance, the State Fund Agriculture (on capital transfers from the EU funds), quarterly reports of non-financial enterprises for debt forgiveness and monthly reports of the notaries for endowments. Acquisition/disposal of non-produced non-financial assets is based on direct reporting companies and General Accounting Directorate of the the BNB.

Ø  Financial account/ Direct investment:

•       monthly data from banks аnd from the Banking Supervision Department of the BNB, from the Central Depository, from notaries and registry offices, and from the Agency for Public Enterprises and Control (as well as from the reporting system of banks on transactions between residents and non-residents until August 2016);

•       quarterly data from the Financial Supervision Commission, from the direct investment enterprises, from the insurance companies and pension insurance companies;

•       annual data from the NSI on foreign direct investment stock in enterprises from the non-financial sector;

•       direct investments abroad - information from FDI declaration forms and subsequent quarterly reporting forms of non-financial sector enterprises, and until August 2016, from the reporting system of banks on transactions between residents and non-residents.

Ø  Financial account/ Portfolio investment – monthly CSDB data, Bulgarian Securities Database

•       Data on the assets side is provided by banks and investment intermediaries (on investment in securities both for their own account and on behalf of their customers), direct reporting by residents investing abroad without intermediation of a resident investment intermediary, non-bank financial institutions, insurance companies and pension funds, the Bulgarian National Bank and the Ministry of Finance;

•       Data on the liabilitiesside is provided by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Depository, the Financial Supervision Commission, the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, the BNB (Electronic System for Registration and Servicing of Trade in Government Securities), monthly and quarterly statistical reports of resident legal entities, Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey of IMF as a supportive source.

Ø  Financial account/ Financial derivatives (other than reserves) and employee stock options - monthly (MFIs) and quarterly (insurance companies and pensions funds) balance sheet data, and quarterly data from the Central Depository for the General government. Other sectors are not covered.

Ø  Financial account/ Other investment:

•       Currency and deposits – compiled on the basis of monthly balance sheet data provided by MFIs, data published by the Bank for International Settlements – Basel (BIS) for deposits of resident non-MFIs held with non-resident banks, as well as annual balance sheet data of non-financial enterprises;

•       Loans – provided by the Ministry of Finance, by banks, and through direct reporting by enterprises that have lent to or borrowed from abroad on a quarterly or annual basis, as well as through physical persons annual direct reporting;

•       Insurance, pension and standardised guarantee schemes - quarterly balance sheet data of insurance companies and pension funds;

•       Тrade credits and advances and Other accounts receivable/payable – quarterly reports of resident enterprises on their assets and liabilities with non-residents, and balance sheet data of banks and non-bank financial institutions.

Ø  Reserve assets - by the General Accounting Department of the BNB. The Ministry of Finance provides information on the government's external transactions and positions.

Data Sources for Debits are the same as for Credits. They are explaned above the tables.

Trade data - monthly

Services data - monthly

The following sub-categories refer to the Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification (EBOPS 2010) data collection. The EBOPS 2010 classification provides a breakdown of the Balance of Payments Trade in Services items (debit and credit) as defined in BPM6, by types of services. The classification thereby meets a number of user requirements, including the provision of more detailed information on Trade in services as required in connection with the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).

EBOPS 2010 is a primarily product-based classification of types of services, which in many cases may be described in terms of international classification of products as contained in CPC Ver. 2. However, the classification also includes transaction-based criteria (for example, Travel, Government services, and Construction Services).

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Improvements to the data validation and processing are costantly being implemented in the BNB’s Integrated Statistical Information System and methodology and data sources are also revised whenever deemed necessary.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

No adjustments are done.

Balance of payments, IIP, FDI and ITSS data are not seasonally adjusted.

Annexes: