​​The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has released preliminary figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports, and imports for September 2016. A brief analysis of the data is given below:

 

In September 2016, the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to around QR 17.1 billion, showing a decrease of 18.4% compared to September 2015. And decreased by 5.2% compared to August 2016 (Table 1 in the attached file).

On other hand, the imports of goods in September 2016 amounted to around QR 8.3 billion, showing decrease of 8.8% over September 2015. However, on a month on month (M-o-M) basis the imports decreased by 11.7% (Table 1 in the attached file).

In September 2016, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 8.8 billion almost, i.e. a decrease of about QR 3.1 billion or 25.8% compared to September 2015. And increased by nearly QR 0.2 billion or 1.8% compared to August 2016. (Table 1 in the attached file).

The year on year (September 2016 to September 2015) decrease in total exports was mainly due to lower exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching 11.4 billion approximately in September 2016, i.e. a decrease of 13.5%, Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 2.4 billion nearly, decreased by 4.2%, as well as the Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR 0.8 billion, decreased by 13.3%. (Table 1  in the attached file).

In September 2016, Japan was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with close to QR 3.2 billion, a share of 18.8% of total exports, followed by South Korea with almost QR 2.6 billion and a share of 15.1%, India with about QR 2.3 billion, a share of 13.7%. (Table 2 and Graph 1 in the attached file)

During September 2016, Motor cars & other passenger vehicles., was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR 0.5 billion, showing a decrease of 46.3% compared to September 2015. In second place was Turbojets, Turbo propellers & Other Gas Turbines; Parts Thereof with QR 0.3 billion, showing an increase by 37.2%, and in third place was Parts of aircraft and helicopters etc with QR 0.2 billion, decreased by 52.4%. (Table 1 in the attached file).

In September 2016, United State of America was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with about QR 1.0 billion, a share of 12.7% of the imports, followed by Germany with QR 0.9 billion almost, a share of 10.8%, and China with QR 0.9 billion, a share of 10.3%. (Table 2 and Graph 2 in the attached file​).