Export promotion is often viewed as both art and science—a complex blend of relationship-building, market intelligence, incentives, and trade facilitation. But measuring the real impact of these efforts requires a sharper, more objective lens. Increasingly, export promotion agencies are turning to the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) system as the backbone of their performance measurement and strategy refinement. By mapping trade flows and program outcomes to ISIC codes, agencies gain an industry-level view of what’s working, what isn’t, and where future interventions should be focused.

 

ISIC codes, by classifying all economic activity into standardized sectors, provide a consistent way to analyze export data across industries, regions, and time. Unlike the broader, sometimes ambiguous categories used in trade reporting, ISIC coding brings precision—allowing apples-to-apples comparisons of sector performance. This granularity is critical for agencies tasked with supporting diverse sectors, from pharmaceuticals (ISIC 2100) to textiles (ISIC 1390), machinery (ISIC 2811), or food processing (ISIC 1079).

 

The practical value becomes clear when agencies seek to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs. For example, suppose an agency launches targeted support for high-value-added manufacturing—offering technical assistance, trade missions, and export financing to firms in ISIC 2660 (medical equipment) and ISIC 2790 (electrical equipment). By tracking export volumes and growth rates in these ISIC codes before and after program implementation, analysts can assess whether there has been a measurable uptick. If exports rise faster in these targeted sectors compared to others, it provides strong evidence of impact. Conversely, flat or declining exports might prompt a review of program design, resource allocation, or market focus.

 

This sector-specific tracking is even more valuable in complex, multi-industry economies. Not all export growth is equally desirable: governments may prioritize high-tech or green industries, aiming to diversify away from raw commodities. By disaggregating export data by ISIC code, agencies can align performance indicators with strategic priorities. A surge in ISIC 3510 (renewable energy) exports, for instance, might signal successful positioning in the global green economy, while stagnation in ISIC 2710 (steel) may point to underlying competitiveness challenges.

 

Building on this, export promotion agencies are developing more sophisticated key performance indicators (KPIs) based on ISIC trade data. Some common examples include:

  • Export growth rate by ISIC code: Measuring year-on-year or program-period changes in export value for each sector, highlighting relative winners and laggards.
  • Market diversification index: Tracking the number of distinct export destinations by ISIC code, indicating resilience to market shocks or concentration risks.
  • Firm participation rate: Counting the number of exporting firms within each ISIC category, capturing the breadth (not just depth) of export activity.
  • Value-added per export: Estimating the sophistication and domestic economic contribution of each sector’s exports.
  • Program uptake and success rate: Monitoring how many firms within targeted ISIC codes participate in promotional activities, and how many subsequently achieve new export contracts.

 

These indicators, rooted in ISIC data, make evaluation more robust. They also facilitate benchmarking against peer economies. Agencies can compare, for example, the export performance of their ISIC 2100 (pharmaceuticals) sector with that of other countries, learning from leaders and identifying policy gaps.

 

One illustrative case: after a decade of sustained support for the textile sector (ISIC 1390), a country’s export agency noticed diminishing returns—export volumes were rising, but value-added was flat and new market entry rates were declining. By switching to ISIC-based KPIs, the agency detected that growth was concentrated among a handful of large firms, while SMEs lagged. This insight prompted a shift toward capacity-building and technology adoption programs for smaller exporters, reinvigorating the sector and supporting more inclusive growth.

 

ISIC trade statistics also support agile, data-driven policymaking. When global disruptions occur—whether from supply chain shocks, geopolitical shifts, or changing consumer preferences—agencies can quickly identify which sectors are affected, where support is most needed, and how recovery efforts are faring. For example, after the COVID-19 pandemic, real-time ISIC-coded export data helped several countries redirect promotional resources to sectors with resilient demand, such as food processing and medical supplies.

 

Of course, there are limitations. Accurate ISIC coding relies on robust customs and business registry data, and not all firms update their classifications as they evolve. Hybrid or multi-sector firms can complicate attribution, and informal or emerging sectors may escape neat classification altogether. Nonetheless, the direction is clear: as trade and export promotion become ever more competitive, the ability to segment and evaluate by ISIC code is fast becoming standard practice.

 

ISIC trade statistics are transforming how export promotion agencies measure and optimize their impact. By anchoring evaluation in internationally recognized industry codes, agencies move beyond anecdote and intuition, building smarter, more accountable programs. The result is not just better reporting, but sharper strategy—ensuring that public resources go where they make the greatest difference for national prosperity and global competitiveness.