Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Statistics on international supply of services (ISS) by modes of supply (MoS) show how and where services are supplied internationally, namely by answering the question of 'how' services are exchanged across countries and 'where' services are supplied to foreign customers. Detailed information on international supply of services statistics by services category, mode of supply and partner country help policymakers carry out the ongoing and future trade negotiating agenda with facts and strong, evidence-based arguments and they allow to monitor the impact of services trade agreements.
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the first multilateral agreement to cover trade in services, defines trade in services as the supply of a service through any of four modes of supply, outlined in the bullet points below.
Mode 1 - cross-border supply: from the territory of one country into the territory of another country;
Mode 2 - consumption abroad: in the territory of one country to the service consumer of another country;
Mode 3 - commercial presence: by a service supplier of one country, through a commercial presence in the territory of another country. The FATS framework is designed to provide information on the activities of enterprises located in foreign markets;
Mode 4 - presence of natural persons: by a service supplier of one country, through the presence of natural persons of that country in the territory of any other country.
Total international supply of services (total of modes 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Mode 1 (‘cross border transactions’),
Mode 2 (‘consumption abroad’),
Mode 3 (‘commercial presence’), and
Mode 4 (‘presence of natural persons’).
3.5. Statistical unit
Not applicable.
3.6. Statistical population
Total international supply of services by all four modes of supply.
3.7. Reference area
Greece
3.8. Coverage - Time
From 2023 onwards.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Data are reported in national currency (thousands).
Eurostat disseminates data in million euro.
Calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Institutional Mandate - in European level
Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics sets the data requirements in the field of international supply of services by modes for the EU Member States and EFTA countries. The exact technical specifications are listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. The requirements concerning the MoS domain are defined in table 38 "Statistics on international activities – International Supply of Services by Mode of Supply – annual data" of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. The variable must be reported annually with first reference year 2023.
Institutional Mandate – in National level
Statute of the Bank of Greece (Article 55C)
Law 3424/1927 (as amended by 2609/1998 and 2832/2000)
2) Bank of Greece Statute protects the confidentiality of statistical information collected by BoG and prohibits the disclosure of confidential information. Violators of statistical confidentiality rules are penalized under Article 371 of the Penal Code.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Data for modes 1, 2 and 4 are disseminated as non-confidential. For mode 3 and total, confidentiality rules are applied where necessary, in order to prevent disclosure of information related to individual reporting units.
8.1. Release calendar
There is no release calendar for MoS statistical outputs.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not available.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Not available.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
No press release concerning the results of MoS data is issued.
Bank of Greece emphasizes and promotes the importance of the quality of statistical data.
Quality controls are applied at both disaggregated and aggregated level. Data are checked at the level of the data collection tool for syntax (codification), consistency and completeness. Further controls consist, inter alia, in performing cross-checks with other data sources and plausibility checks.
In the monthly production process, top-down quality controls are carried out. In the quarterly and yearly production cycle, bottom-up procedures are applied.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The quality of the statistics is assessed on a regular basis, taking into account the information available from quality reports, validation results and consistency checks. The assessment is conducted in line with the relevant EU regulations and quality guidelines.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Not available.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
12.3. Completeness
Greece completeness rate is 100% for all MoS tables.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100% completeness.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The overall accuracy of MoS statistics is ensured through the use of high-quality primary data sources (ITSS and FATS) and the application of established statistical methodologies in line with European regulations and international guidelines.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
According to the Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics, data transmission of MoS datasets to Eurostat takes place:
For Mode1,2,4: 10 months after the end of the reference period (T+10)
For Mode3TOT: 22 months after the end of the reference period (T+22)
MoS1, MoS2, MoS4 2023 (revised, transmitted together with MoS3,TOTAL): T+22 months
MoS3, TOTAL 2023: T+22 months
14.2. Punctuality
All data were delivered before the official deadline.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
MoS statistics are compiled in accordance with harmonised European concepts and definitions, ensuring a high degree of comparability across EU Member States.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Given the recent introduction of MoS statistics, time series are currently limited, but future comparability will be ensured through consistent application of the methodology.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
From reference year 2023 onwards.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Full cross domain consistency/coherence between MoS and ITSS data.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
All MoS data are internally consistent.
The compilation of MoS statistics does not impose additional burden on respondents, as it is mainly based on existing data sources (ITSS, FATS, TEC, SBS). The main cost relates to internal processing, data integration and methodological adjustments carried out by the compilers.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Data revisions are transmitted to Eurostat along with the next data transmission cycle.
17.2. Data revision - practice
For reference year 2023, revised data for Mode 1,2,4 were transmitted together with the first submission of Mode3TOT, in order to ensure consistency and correct totals.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
In Greece, the Bank of Greece is responsible for the compilation and dissemination of International Supply of Services by Modes of Supply (MoS data).
Sources:
International Trade in Services (ITSS) data.
Foreign Affiliates Statistics (FATS) data.
Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (TEC) data.
Structural Business Statistics (SBS).
Eurostat / WTO model.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
Mode 1, 2, 4
ITSS data is the source of information for the dimensions related to Exports and Imports of Services, Product (EBOPS 2010) and Counterpart Area.
Mode 3
FATS data is the source of information for the dimensions related to Exports and Imports of Services, Product (EBOPS 2010) and Counterpart Area.
For the estimation of MoS variables, the Eurostat-WTO model's shares are used. However, several adjustments on the BOP data are required to meet the statistical definitions of International Supply of Services.
1) Excluding the value of Goods
Travel Goods - Travel Frontier Survey
Construction Goods - National Supply and Use Tables
Government Goods and Services n.i.e. - National Supply and Use Tables
2) Including Distribution Services
According to the 2nd Edition of the MoS Compiler's Guide, the estimation of distribution services is based on the structural business statistics combined with TEC statistics (Section 10.2.2).
18.4. Data validation
Data validation rules are applied at national level to be consistent with BoP and ITSS and FATS data.
Mode 1,2,4 data are compared to the corresponding ITSS data for consistency purposes. For each EBOPS item, the sum of Mode 1, 2 and 4 correspond to the EBOPS items in ITSS/BOP. However, a correction for goods values is applied for those items that contain goods values in the BOP framework, such as travel, construction and govenment goods and services n.i.e.
Mode 3 data are compared to the corresponding IFATS and OFATS data for consistency purposes.
18.5. Data compilation
Mode 1, 2, 4
The main source for the compilation of statistics for Mode 1, 2 and 4 is the annual ITSS data. On these data, the Eurostat-WTO model is applied in order to allocate EBOPS categories to each Mode of Supply.
Before applying the model, some adjustments to the ITSS data should be made.
First, the value of goods included in some EBOPS items (travel, construction and government goods and services) needs to be excluded, given that for MoS purposes only the services part of each EBOPS category is relevant.
Furthermore, an estimate is needed of the services provided by wholesalers and retailers in the distribution of goods. In the BOP framework, those services are generally included indistinguishably in the value of the products sold and recorded in the goods account. In the MoS data, these margins, which represent the value of the supply of distribution services, should be separately estimated and included under Mode 1.
Once ITSS data have been collected and adjusted to modes of supply needs, trade values are distributed to Modes 1, 2 and 4 using a simplified allocation table (Eurostat-WTO model).
Mode 3
The main source for the compilation of statistics for Mode 3 is FATS data (IFATS&OFATS). On these data, the Eurostat-WTO model is applied in order to allocate the NACE 2.0 activities to EBOPS categories for the compilation of Mode 3 data by EBOPS.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
No additional adjustments are made.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
Statistics on international supply of services (ISS) by modes of supply (MoS) show how and where services are supplied internationally, namely by answering the question of 'how' services are exchanged across countries and 'where' services are supplied to foreign customers. Detailed information on international supply of services statistics by services category, mode of supply and partner country help policymakers carry out the ongoing and future trade negotiating agenda with facts and strong, evidence-based arguments and they allow to monitor the impact of services trade agreements.
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the first multilateral agreement to cover trade in services, defines trade in services as the supply of a service through any of four modes of supply, outlined in the bullet points below.
Mode 1 - cross-border supply: from the territory of one country into the territory of another country;
Mode 2 - consumption abroad: in the territory of one country to the service consumer of another country;
Mode 3 - commercial presence: by a service supplier of one country, through a commercial presence in the territory of another country. The FATS framework is designed to provide information on the activities of enterprises located in foreign markets;
Mode 4 - presence of natural persons: by a service supplier of one country, through the presence of natural persons of that country in the territory of any other country.
Total international supply of services (total of modes 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Mode 1 (‘cross border transactions’),
Mode 2 (‘consumption abroad’),
Mode 3 (‘commercial presence’), and
Mode 4 (‘presence of natural persons’).
Not applicable.
Total international supply of services by all four modes of supply.
Greece
Calendar year.
The overall accuracy of MoS statistics is ensured through the use of high-quality primary data sources (ITSS and FATS) and the application of established statistical methodologies in line with European regulations and international guidelines.
Data are reported in national currency (thousands).
Eurostat disseminates data in million euro.
Mode 1, 2, 4
The main source for the compilation of statistics for Mode 1, 2 and 4 is the annual ITSS data. On these data, the Eurostat-WTO model is applied in order to allocate EBOPS categories to each Mode of Supply.
Before applying the model, some adjustments to the ITSS data should be made.
First, the value of goods included in some EBOPS items (travel, construction and government goods and services) needs to be excluded, given that for MoS purposes only the services part of each EBOPS category is relevant.
Furthermore, an estimate is needed of the services provided by wholesalers and retailers in the distribution of goods. In the BOP framework, those services are generally included indistinguishably in the value of the products sold and recorded in the goods account. In the MoS data, these margins, which represent the value of the supply of distribution services, should be separately estimated and included under Mode 1.
Once ITSS data have been collected and adjusted to modes of supply needs, trade values are distributed to Modes 1, 2 and 4 using a simplified allocation table (Eurostat-WTO model).
Mode 3
The main source for the compilation of statistics for Mode 3 is FATS data (IFATS&OFATS). On these data, the Eurostat-WTO model is applied in order to allocate the NACE 2.0 activities to EBOPS categories for the compilation of Mode 3 data by EBOPS.
In Greece, the Bank of Greece is responsible for the compilation and dissemination of International Supply of Services by Modes of Supply (MoS data).
Sources:
International Trade in Services (ITSS) data.
Foreign Affiliates Statistics (FATS) data.
Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (TEC) data.
Structural Business Statistics (SBS).
Eurostat / WTO model.
Annual.
According to the Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics, data transmission of MoS datasets to Eurostat takes place:
For Mode1,2,4: 10 months after the end of the reference period (T+10)
For Mode3TOT: 22 months after the end of the reference period (T+22)
MoS statistics are compiled in accordance with harmonised European concepts and definitions, ensuring a high degree of comparability across EU Member States.
Given the recent introduction of MoS statistics, time series are currently limited, but future comparability will be ensured through consistent application of the methodology.
