The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics have released preliminary figures of the value of exports, re-exports and imports for March 2014.  A short analysis of the data is given below:  • In March 2014, total exports of goods (including exports of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to QR 45.4 billion, showing an increase of 1.8% compared to the total export value of the corresponding month of 2013. • On the other hand, the imports of goods in March 2014 amounted to 9.2 billion, an increase of 16.3% over the value recorded in the same month last year.• In March 2014, the trade balance of goods, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 36.1 billion, a decrease of QR 0.5 billion (1.3%) compared to the trade balance of goods of March 2013. • The year on year (March 2014 to March 2013) rise in total exports was due to higher exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching QR 30.9 billion in March 2014, i.e. an increase of 2.4% compared to March 2013, Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) to reach QR 7.3 billion (3.1%), and Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) to reach QR 1.9 billion (4.7%). In March 2014, the major countries of destination for Qatar’s exports were South Korea with QR 12.2 billion, a share of 26.9% of total exports, Japan with QR 10.8 billion (23.7%), and India with QR 4.5 billion (9.9%). • The year on year increase in imports reflected increases in Aircraft spare parts reaching QR 0.7 billion, increased by 46.3%, and Telephone sets, mobiles and parts thereof with QR 0.2 billion (16.7%); however, the increase was partially offset by the drop in exports of Motor cars & other passenger vehicles to reach QR 0.9 billion (5.4%). In March 2014, United States of America was the leading country of origin with QR 1.2 billion, a share of 12.9% of the imports, followed by China with QR 0.9 billion (9.4%), United Arab Emirates with QR 0.8 billion (8.4%). For more information, please visit:  Foreign Trade System For more details