UN-ESCWA held a Regional Workshop on National Accounts in Cairo from 19 to 21 December 2006. Participants in the meeting included experts from the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and UN-ESCWA as well as representatives from Central Statistical Offices and Central Banks in the region. The goal of the meeting was to establish a regional forum for the exchange of views, practices and consultancies and the analysis of current and future issues in relation to the implementation and update of 1993 System of National Accounts (SNA) in Western Asia.
The workshop focused on both the theoretical and practical nature of major issues, especially emerging updates on the 1993 SNA, means of implementing this system in the region, future challenges, and quarterly national accounts. In addition, experiences and practices of member countries were presented in order to enhance participation, share experiences and promote regional cooperation to face challenges to the implementation of the 1993 SNA.