The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has released preliminary figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports, and imports for February 2017. A brief analysis of the data is given below:
In February 2017, the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to around QR20.5 billion, showing an increase of 22.5% compared to February 2016, and increased by 0.8% compared to January 2017. )Table 1).
On other hand, the imports of goods in February 2017 amounted to around QR 8.2 billion, showing decrease of 15.4% over February 2016. However, on a month on month (M-o-M) basis the imports decrease by 12.6%. )Table 1).
In February 2017, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 12.3 billion almost, i.e. a increase of about QR 5.2 billion or 74.0% compared to February 2016, And increased by nearly QR 1.3 billion or 12.1% compared to January 2017. (Table1).
The year on year (February 2017 to February 2016) increase in total exports was mainly due to lower exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching 12.2 billion approximately in February 2017, i.e. an increase of 18.9%, while increase was shown in Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 3.5 billion nearly, increased by 46.8%, and increases in the Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR 1.3 billion, increased by 68.0%. (Table1).
In February 2017, Japan was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with close to QR 3.9 billion, a share of 19.1% of total exports, followed by South Korea with almost QR 3.6 billion and a share of 17.5%, India with about QR 2.3 billion, a share of 11.3%. (Table 2, Graph 1)
During February 2017, Motor cars & other passenger vehicles, was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR 0.5 billion, showing a decrease of 34.4% compared to February 2016. In second place was Electrical Apparatus for Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts Thereof. With QR 0.4 billion, showing an increase by 56.0%, and in third place was Parts of aircraft and helicopters etc., with QR 0.2 billion, decrease of 58.9%. (Table1).
In February 2017, China was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with about QR 1.05 billion, a share of 12.9% of the imports, followed by United State of America with QR 1.02 billion almost, a share of 12.5%, and United Arab Emirates with QR 0.8 billion, a share of 9.5%. (Table 2, Graph 2).
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