Whose Trade Statistics are Correct? Multiple Mirror Comparison Techniques: A Test Case of Cambodia

Abstract

The paper proposes a method that refer toa s the 'multiple mirror technique'. By conducting a cross-check of the results of various bilateral mirror analyses, we are able to identify the magnitude of the misclassification committed on the side of the test country. By applying the multiple mirror technique, the paper focuses specifically on the inaccuracy of trade statistics caused by two types of misclassification: commodity misclassification and direction misclassification. With this method, we are able to throroughly examine products that are misclassified as similar but are actually different products that should fall under a different products that should fall under a different classification(commodity missclassificatin) and products to or from a particular country that are misclassified as products to or from another country(direction misclassification).