The Import and Export Value Index (IEVI) is a measure of the relative size and growth of a nations international trading operations. It is calculated by comparing the value of exports and imports of goods and services in a given country to the global average of exports and imports in all countries in the world. The IEVI is an important tool in understanding the contribution of international trade to a countrys economic growth, as well as to understanding the competitive advantages and weaknesses of that nations exports and imports in the world market.
The IEVI is based on data from the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Database, which provides detailed trade and tariff information from over 136 countries. The Trade Database is updated at the end of each year, with detailed figures for two consecutive years.
The IEVI is a weighted index and incorporates factors such as the share of each countrys exports in the global export market, the volume and composition of its imports, the share of each countrys imports in the global import market, changes in import and export prices, changes in exchange rates, and the share of trade in each countrys total output. The IEVI also takes into account changes in the trade or regional pattern, including the emergence of new markets and the shift of production centers, which can affect the size and shape of both countries exports and imports.
In order to calculate the IEVI, the value of a countrys exports and imports are compared to the global average export and import prices. Each countrys exports are weighed by the importance of its trade in the global market, and its imports by the importance of its import in the world market. A countrys weighted export and import values are then divided by the global average export and import values to produce the IEVI.
The IEVI can be used to gauge the competitiveness of a nations exports and imports in the global market. It can also be used to compare a nations international trade performance with that of other countries. In addition, the IEVI can be used to help predict changes in a countrys external trade patterns, offer investors and export traders insights into a countrys expected future trading prospects, and to assess the size and direction of shifts in the nations current trade regime.
The IEVI can also give insights into the countries which are and will remain major exporters and importers, and help identify emerging markets that have the potential to become important trading partners. Furthermore, the IEVI can be used to understand the roles of the different industries within a nations economy, and it can be used to identify potential trade barriers or restrictions, assess industry or sectoral competitiveness and the level of diversification of the countrys trade.
In conclusion, the IEVI is a valuable tool for assessing international trade performance and its implications for a nations economic growth and development. By calculating the relative size and growth of a nations exports and imports, compared to the global average, the IEVI is an immensely insightful tool for understanding the participation of countries in the global market and their critical role in economic development.