The big table : a software tool for nuclear trade analysis

This report overviews functionalities provided by 'The Big Table' (TBT), a software tool designed to support nuclear trade analysis for IAEA safeguards. TBT allows analysts to perform steps preparatory to the retrieval and analysis of data records pertinent to case studies on nuclear trade. Trade data records stem from open source web data services on global trade and are retrieved by Harmonized System codes, i.e. commodity descriptors used by traders to declare imports and exports to customs authorities. The report is structured in two main Parts. The first Part presents elements of nuclear trade analysis. The second Part deals with implementation aspects and more directly with TBT. The report concludes by comparing TBT to related information tools developed in the context of export controls. Future developments on TBT are outlined pointing to new application areas.