I refer to Gavin Gulia’s contribution entitled Statistics damned statistics (TMID, 6 October). The article questions wholesale and retail trade figures for the second quarter of this year.
The NSO’s National Accounts estimates should be interpreted at a macro-economic level or at the sectoral level, and not at a micro level. This implies that, although a number of individual establishments may have reported a drop in sales, or may be experiencing some difficulties, this may have been compensated for by new and larger establishments setting up shop in specific areas of wholesale and retail, in particular food and beverages.
These data are corroborated by imports figures published in NSO News Release 161/2008 dated 10 September. Provisional estimates indicate that imports of food and beverages increased by almost 25 per cent in the second quarter this year, when compared to the same quarter in 2007. Other imported consumer goods went up by over 18 per cent during the same period, which may have been due, among others, to the extension of the energy efficient appliances rebate scheme.
The wholesale and retail trade sector also includes gas and petroleum supplies. Imports of fuels and lubricants went up by almost 21 per cent in the period covered by the figures in question. Apart from imports, higher sales of local manufactured goods and an increased demand for certain services were also reported during the second quarter.
Dr Gulia made a reference to the consumer confidence index of Eurostat. This index is based on perceptions, while the National Accounts data are based on official Customs and trade data. Furthermore, they are corroborated by VAT data from administrative sources.
The NSO is willing to send Dr Gulia a detailed breakdown of imports during the second quarter of the current year at his request. The NSO would also like to take this opportunity to extend an open invitation to Dr Gulia to visit its offices so that detailed technical explanations may be provided by its national accountants.
Catherine Vella
Communications Officer
National Statistics Office
Valletta