Mapping Global Value Chains and Measuring Trade in Tasks

Global value chains (GVCs) change many of the stylised facts on which trade or economic development models were based: something original and new is happening in the international economy, with profound economic and social implications at home. The financial crisis of 2008-2009 and the resulting great trade collapse determined a new demand from policy makers for adequate statistical information regarding this phenomenon. The paper builds on the compact between theory and statistics in order to provide a road map for empirical research and statistical developments. It analyses the challenges for trade statisticians by looking first for guidance from some relevant theoretical frameworks suggested by network analysis, trade and development models or business practices. The subsequent sections enter into more details on what kind of information needs to be collected and what type of indicators can be constructed, covering traditional trade statistics, inter-industrial and international input-output accounting and micro-data on trade by enterprise characteristics. The presentation includes examples on the Asia-Pacific region. The conclusions look for an integrated statistical framework