[Said Jafar]

Dear Andrew,

BACI data starts from 1995, based on 1992 classification of the harmonized system. So the earliest year you can get data is 1995.

"have you had any issues combining BACI data with data prior to this period?"
I do not really understand what do you mean here. But you do need not to have a data prior to 1995 in your dataset if your trade data starts from 1995.

Hope this helps,
Said

[Andrew Peterson]

Thanks Said Jafar = the example that I have in mind is merging pre-1995 UN Comtrade data with the 1995+ BACI data. I understand that it won't be harmonised like BACI but will the UN Comtrade data provide the same level of product detail as the BACI data to allow a merger.

[Said Jafar]

Dear Andrew,

Uncomtrade data is also HS6 digit level, so there should not be problem if you extract data based on hs1992 classification.
But combining data from different datasets is not considered good practice. If you must have data for years before 1995, then it is better extract data from Uncomtrade only. Also note that Baci data and Uncomtrade data are not the same. Pls read the paper underlying the methodology behind the Baci for more info.

Hope this helps,
Said

[Andrew Peterson]

Thanks Said Jafar

[Mahady DIALLO]

I lost my dofile with which I had "merged" my "BACI" database (reduced to only African countries on the original side, with more than 3000 products) with that of "Gravity".
Could you please share with me the correct commands to add to my main base (reduced BACI) the other relevant variables such as GDP, population, distance as well as other institutional variables. With the slowness of my PC and the updates, I lost the work I had done and I no longer remember how I did it.
Thanks in advance.