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.
Services Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (STEC) statistics provide information on the types of enterprises engaged in international trade in services and show how enterprises in different industries supply services and how this relates to their primary activity. STEC disclose additional insights into trade statistics, by allowing the profiling of the enterprises according to selected characteristics such as number of employees, type of ownership and economic activity.
A+B - Agriculture, forestry, and fishing; mining and quarrying,
D+E - Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply; water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities,
I+L+O+P+Q+R+S+T+U - Accommodation and food service activities; real estate activities; public administration, defence; compulsory social security; education; human health and social work activities; other services.
· NACE Sections:
C - Manufacturing,
F - Construction,
G - Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles,
H - Transportation and storage,
J - Information and communication,
K - Financial and insurance activities,
M - Professional, scientific, and technical activities,
N - Administrative and support service activities.
1. Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others
2. Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.
3. Transport
4. Travel
5. Construction
6. Insurance and pension services
7. Financial services
8. Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.
9. Telecommunications, computer, and information services
10. Other business services
10.1. Research and development services
10.2. Professional and management consulting services
10.3. Technical, trade-related, and other business services
11. Personal, cultural and recreational services
12. Government goods and services, n.i.e.
3.5. Statistical unit
Enterprise.
3.6. Statistical population
The activity breakdown covers NACE sections from A to U.
The product breakdown covers EBOPS 2010 main items.
3.7. Reference area
Malta
3.8. Coverage - Time
2022-2023
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
All data sent to Eurostat are in Thousands of Euro for Euro Area countries and in Thousands of National currency for non-Euro Area countries. The unit of dissemination is Euro.
Calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Regulation (EU) 2019/2152on European business statistics sets the data requirements in the field of services trade by enterprise characteristics for the EU Member States and EFTA countries. The exact technical specifications are listed in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197, table 17 "Country-level business statistics on trade in services by enterprise characteristics (STEC) – annual data".
The variable must be reported annually with first reference year 2022.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
In order for the NSO to execute its public functions efficiently, access to administrative sources is vital. To this end, the MSA Act empowers the NSO to request any public authority access to information. The Act goes on to oblige public authorities to adhere as much as possible, to NSO's standards and to consult as well as cooperate with the NSO in collecting data so as to better serve NSO’s functions. Public authorities are also expected to consult with the NSO when planning future statistical activities.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
At National level: The NSO requests information for the compilation of official statistics according to the articles of the MSA Act – Cap. 422 and the Data Protection Act – Cap. 586 of the Laws of Malta implementing the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Article 40 of the MSA Act stipulates the restrictions on the use of information while Article 41 stipulates the prohibition of disclosure of information. Furthermore, Section IX of the Act (Offences and Penalties) lays down the measures to be taken in case of unlawful exercise of any officer of statistics regarding confidentiality of data. Since its inception, the NSO has always assured that all data collected remains confidential and that it is used for statistical purposes only according to the articles and derogations stipulated in the laws quoted above. The Office is obliged to protect the identify of data providers and refrain from divulging any data to third parties that might lead to the identification of persons or entities.
At European level: Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Where less than three entities contribute to a figure; or one or two (largest) entities together contribute more than 79% to a figure, that figure is considered as confidential. Data considered confidential are not made available, and in such cases, data are made available in an aggregated manner.
8.1. Release calendar
News Release on STEC data is not published nationally.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not Applicable.
8.3. Release policy - user access
An internal policy on dissemination is in place to govern the dissemination of official statistics in an impartial, independent and timely manner, making them available simultaneously to all users. The NSO’s primary channel for the dissemination of official statistics is the NSO website. Tailored requests for statistical information may also be submitted through the said website.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Not Applicable.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
There is no specific publication on STEC issued by the National Statistical Office of Malta.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
The information is not available online.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not applicable.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Access to anonymized microdata access is possible upon request. The user has to contact the NSO first and explain the purpose of the statistical research and justify the need for microdata information. User(s) must fill in an application form which will then be evaluated.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Malta (NSO) delivers its STEC statistics according to the legal framework mentioned under section 6.1.
Quality policy Article 10 from the MSA Act, states that the NSO shall supply the information necessary to evaluate the quality of official statistics, and make the methods used for their production accessible to the public. The focus on quality is also evident from the NSO's mission statement: To produce high-quality statistics and analysis for better decision making in Malta. Management is sensitive to all dimensions of quality and in all areas of its work, it gives increased consideration to the accuracy of data released to the public, including clear methodological notes explaining the processes involved in the collection and production of official statistics.
Quality assurance Processes are in place to monitor adequately the quality of compiled and disseminated statistics. The NSO regularly undertakes data checks for coverage, classification, and missing data. In addition, it monitors the internal consistency of source data and consistency across datasets. It notes and investigates all unusual movements in the source data received. Moreover, as an EU member country, Malta monitors methodology, quality standards, and outputs through regular reporting.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Eurostat assessed the completeness and accessibility of the 2023 dataset by evaluating the proportion of mandatory cells reported and the extent of confidentiality.
All mandatory cells across all tables were fully reported (100%).
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main local users include the Central Bank of Malta, the Economic Policy Department and the Ministry of Finance who all require data for economic analysis and policymaking. Other local users include researchers, students and private entities. Our main foreign users include the European Commission, European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Agencies like UNCTAD, and credit rating agencies. As long as data requested are available and do not breach the confidentiality criteria, they are provided. Feedback from users on the quality standards of the NSO statistics was solicited in 2022 through a Users Perception Survey. This survey was conducted to identify users' needs for official statistics.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
News Releases and tailor-made statistical outputs are assessed on account of their quality, timeliness, and on their ability to meet users’ needs. The NSO also carried out a User Satisfaction Survey among registered users of its website including the media in 2022 and previously in 2014 and 2007. The results indicated that most users were generally satisfied with the quality, level of service, and coverage of official statistics offered by the NSO. Some areas that require improvement were also identified and action has been taken to refine the level of service in these areas. The 2022 User Satisfaction Survey can be accessed through: NSO website - User_satisfaction_survey_2022.
12.3. Completeness
All the relevant sources were used in the compilation of the STEC tables.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
All the relevant sources were used in the compilation of the STEC tables.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The overall accuracy of the exercise hinges on the quality of the sources used. In view of the recent revisions implemented in BOP/IIP statistics, it must be pointed out that the STEC data provided does not reflect the latest vintage.
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
T+18 months after the end of the reference period
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
The MT STEC tables were transmitted on the transmission deadline.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Not applicable.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
In view of the recent revisions implemented in BOP/IIP statistics, it must be pointed out that the STEC data provided does not reflect the latest vintage.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
In view of the recent revisions implemented in BOP/IIP statistics, it must be pointed out that the STEC data provided does not reflect the latest vintage.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
In view of the recent revisions implemented in BOP/IIP statistics and the benchmark revision carried out in National Accounts statistics, it must be pointed out that the STEC data provided does not reflect the latest vintages.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
In view of the recent revisions implemented in BOP/IIP statistics and the benchmark revision carried out in National Accounts statistics, it must be pointed out that the STEC data provided does not reflect the latest vintages.
15.4. Coherence - internal
These indicators refer to Chapter 6 and the corresponding tables of the Eurostat Quality Report: Coherence.
In the case of Malta, by and large the internal consistency vis-à-vis the integrity rules stated in the Eurostat BOP Vademecum are fulfilled.
Not applicable.
17.1. Data revision - policy
NSO’s revision policy (Revisions of Official Statistics Policy) distinguishes between three main types of revisions, namely Minor Revisions, Major Revisions and Unplanned Revisions.
Minor Revisions Official statistics prioritise the timeliness and accuracy of results. Hence, initial figures are typically provisional, subject to planned minor revisions, which are routine across various domains. These revisions stem from ongoing data collection processes, multiple data sources, and administrative information, contributing to the improvement of published data aligned with standard production procedures. Minor revisions involve:
Routine updates to preliminary estimates, by incorporating source data which is considered more updated, complete and/or of better quality;
Revisions arising from seasonal adjustments. Minor revisions aim at incorporating improved source data and do not involve significant changes in the methodologies and definitions used.
Major Revisions. These involve amendments in published data driven by one or more of the following factors:
Changes to definitions, classifications, concepts and/or methodology;
Re-referencing by updating the index reference period, re-weighting and chain-linking;
Incorporating results of changes in basic data sources (surveys and censuses) and/or new estimation methods;
Discontinuation of current data sources;
Availability of new data sources resulting in more significant changes than those outlined in 2.3.1;
Benchmark revisions.
Major revisions may be the result of a combination of factors rather than an outcome of a single cause. This is because data producers take advantage of upcoming major revisions to implement methodological improvements. Major revisions are subject to advance communication by the Office to its users.
Unplanned Revisions Unplanned revisions generally occur when:
Statistics that are initially considered final may need to be revised upon receipt of updated data which significantly affects the figures;
Corrections are required;
Improved estimated data becomes available from alternative sources.
The Office will provide appropriate explanations for any unplanned revisions that greatly influence the final result. In statistical work, errors in source data and computations occasionally occur. While every effort is made to minimize errors, the Office has a long-standing policy to correct errors as soon as they are detected and to inform users by means of an errata corrige.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Quarterly and annual data are revised periodically, so as to incorporate updates received during the three-month period from the previous release.
Quarterly balance of payments data are revised on an ongoing basis, as more actual and updated data become available.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
The main sources used in the compilation of the STEC tables are the Balance of Payments, the Business Register (BR) and Structural Business Statistics (SBS) maintained by the National Statistics Office (NSO). These were further enriched through micro-linkage with the administrative source such as Value Added Tax (VAT) database and Tax Index of Financial Data (TIFD) data provided by Tax Authorities.
Regarding the VAT data, it was split into Import and Export for instance; EU Exports and total Exports, Non-EU Exports ; and EU and Non-EU Imports.This breakdown enabled the distiction between Intra-EU and Extra -EU trade which was esssential for the proper allocation of International Trade across industries within the STEC framework. Additionally, Structural Business Statistics (SBS) provided detailed information on enterprise charteristics, including the turnover, employment and sector classification which played a crucial role in distributing trafde values across industries and ensuring alignment with the NACE classification. The Business Register (BR) served as the reference framework foridentifying active enterprises and linking VAT and TIFD records to their corresponding legal units.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
No need to collect additional information.
18.4. Data validation
All STRUVAL/CONVAL validation checks were fulfilled.
18.5. Data compilation
Not Applicable.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No comment.
Services Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (STEC) statistics provide information on the types of enterprises engaged in international trade in services and show how enterprises in different industries supply services and how this relates to their primary activity. STEC disclose additional insights into trade statistics, by allowing the profiling of the enterprises according to selected characteristics such as number of employees, type of ownership and economic activity.
A+B - Agriculture, forestry, and fishing; mining and quarrying,
D+E - Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply; water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities,
I+L+O+P+Q+R+S+T+U - Accommodation and food service activities; real estate activities; public administration, defence; compulsory social security; education; human health and social work activities; other services.
· NACE Sections:
C - Manufacturing,
F - Construction,
G - Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles,
H - Transportation and storage,
J - Information and communication,
K - Financial and insurance activities,
M - Professional, scientific, and technical activities,
N - Administrative and support service activities.
1. Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others
2. Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.
3. Transport
4. Travel
5. Construction
6. Insurance and pension services
7. Financial services
8. Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.
9. Telecommunications, computer, and information services
10. Other business services
10.1. Research and development services
10.2. Professional and management consulting services
10.3. Technical, trade-related, and other business services
11. Personal, cultural and recreational services
12. Government goods and services, n.i.e.
Enterprise.
The activity breakdown covers NACE sections from A to U.
The product breakdown covers EBOPS 2010 main items.
Malta
Calendar year.
The overall accuracy of the exercise hinges on the quality of the sources used. In view of the recent revisions implemented in BOP/IIP statistics, it must be pointed out that the STEC data provided does not reflect the latest vintage.
All data sent to Eurostat are in Thousands of Euro for Euro Area countries and in Thousands of National currency for non-Euro Area countries. The unit of dissemination is Euro.
Not Applicable.
The main sources used in the compilation of the STEC tables are the Balance of Payments, the Business Register (BR) and Structural Business Statistics (SBS) maintained by the National Statistics Office (NSO). These were further enriched through micro-linkage with the administrative source such as Value Added Tax (VAT) database and Tax Index of Financial Data (TIFD) data provided by Tax Authorities.
Regarding the VAT data, it was split into Import and Export for instance; EU Exports and total Exports, Non-EU Exports ; and EU and Non-EU Imports.This breakdown enabled the distiction between Intra-EU and Extra -EU trade which was esssential for the proper allocation of International Trade across industries within the STEC framework. Additionally, Structural Business Statistics (SBS) provided detailed information on enterprise charteristics, including the turnover, employment and sector classification which played a crucial role in distributing trafde values across industries and ensuring alignment with the NACE classification. The Business Register (BR) served as the reference framework foridentifying active enterprises and linking VAT and TIFD records to their corresponding legal units.
Annual.
T+18 months after the end of the reference period
Not applicable.
In view of the recent revisions implemented in BOP/IIP statistics, it must be pointed out that the STEC data provided does not reflect the latest vintage.
