Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS) has released the preliminary estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current and constant prices for the Fourth quarter (Q4) of 2014. The estimates have been produced by using the data collected through the Quarterly Economic Indicator Survey and from other source agencies.
 
• Nominal GDP [GDP at current prices] estimate of Q4, 2014 [194.40 Bn QR] over Q4, 2013 GDP estimate [189.86 Bn QR] increases by 2.4%.
• Real GDP [GDP at constant (2004) prices] estimated growth is 6.7% in the Q4, 2014 over Q4, 2013 GDP estimate. • Nominal GDP [Year-on-Year] at 771.01 Bn QR is up by 4.2% in the year 2014 over the GDP estimate [739.78 Bn QR] of 2013.
• Real GDP (Year-on-Year) estimated growth is 6.2% in the year 2014 over the GDP estimate of 2013.
Quarterly GDP at current Prices
(in Bn Q. R.)   Q4, 2014 Nominal & Real GDP Estimates
 
The quarterly GDP at current prices in the Q4, 2014 is estimated at 194.40 Bn QR. This represents an increase of 2.4% compared to the estimate of Q4,  2013 placed at 189.86 Bn QR. Compared to the previous quarter [Q3, 2014] estimate of 193.08 Bn QR, an increase of 0.7% has been noticed.
The quarterly GDP in Q4, 2014, at constant (2004) prices [99.01 Bn QR] has registered a [Y-o-Y] growth of 6.7% over the estimate of Q4, 2013 [92.77 Bn QR]. Compared to the previous quarter [Q3, 2014] estimate of 97.51 Bn QR, there has been a growth of 1.5%.
Mining and Quarrying (including Oil and Gas) The nominal Gross Value Added (GVA) estimate of this sector in Q4, 2014 has been 94.28 Bn QR, which shows  a decline of 6.0% over the estimate of Q4, 2013, placed at 100.27 Bn QR. Compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014) estimate, there has been a decline of 1.0% in the GVA of this sector.
The reduction in international price levels of crude oil and gases in this quarter has led to a decline in nominal GVA of this sector.
The real GVA of this sector in Q4, 2014 [36.80 Bn QR], shows a growth of 1.3% over the estimate of Q4, 2013 [36.34 Bn QR]. Compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014) estimate, a growth of 1.3% has been seen in this quarter.
Non-Mining and Quarrying
 
The nominal GVA estimate of these sectors in the Q4, 2014 has been placed at 100.12 Bn QR, which shows an increase of 11.8% over the GVA estimate of Q4, 2013 [89.58 Bn QR]. Compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014) estimate, there has been an increase of 2.4% in the GVA of these sectors. The real GVA of these sectors in Q4, 2014, totaled to 62.22 Bn QR, which shows a growth of 10.3% over the GVA [56.43 Bn QR] estimated in the corresponding quarter Q4, 2013. The Q-o-Q growth of these sectors is 1.7%.
The Y-o-Y growth in the Q4, 2014 is the result of double digit rise seen mainly in electricity, construction, trade, hotels, transport & communication, and domestic services. Rising country’s population in Q4, 2014 is another factor in contributing such a growth.
An analysis by major industry groups, comparing the performance in Q4 of 2014 with the corresponding quarter (Q4) in 2013 [Y-o-Y Basis] and with third quarter (Q3) [Q-o-Q basis] of 2014 is given in the following paragraphs. More details of the sectoral level, preliminary nominal and real GVA estimates for all the four quarters of 2014 and 2013 along with  [Y-o-Y] and [Q-o-Q] variations are available  in  the Tables 1 to 4  of  the Press Release. Manufacturing The nominal GVA of manufacturing sector in Q4, 2014 is estimated at 19.13 Bn QR showing an increase of 3.5% over the estimate of Q4, 2013 [18.48 Bn QR]. However, compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014) estimate, a decline of 5.1% is noted.
The real GVA of this sector is estimated at 8.58 Bn QR in Q4, 2014 showing a growth of 5.0% over the estimate [8.17 Bn QR] of corresponding quarter [Q4] of 2013. However, compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014) GVA of this sector, there has been a fall of 3.3%.
The [Y-o-Y] growth in the manufacturing sector is mainly driven by higher volumes of production of basic chemicals, some petrochemicals and other non-metallic mineral products.
Construction The nominal GVA estimate of the construction at 11.17 Bn QR in Q4, 2014 shows an increase of 22.0% when compared to the estimate of corresponding quarter [Q4] of 2013 [9.15 Bn QR]. Compared to the previous quarter, an increase of 3.7% has been seen.
The real GVA of the construction sector at 12.95 Bn QR in Q4, 2014,  shows a growth of 17.7% when compared to the GVA estimate [11 Bn QR] of the corresponding quarter [Q4] of 2013. Compared to the previous quarter, a growth of 4.7% has been registered.
The Y-o-Y double digit growth is primarily due to rising production volume seen in this quarter. Major public investments in this sector especially in the infrastructure related projects have led to consistent growth in this sector.
Trade, Hotel and Restaurants The nominal GVA of this group is estimated at 14.83 Bn QR in Q4 of 2014 registering an increase of 13.1% over the GVA estimate [13.10 Bn QR] of the corresponding quarter [Q4] of 2013. Compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014) estimate, there has been an increase of 5.4%.
The real GVA of this sector is estimated at 9.46 Bn QR in Q4, 2014, recording a growth of 12.8% over the GVA estimate [8.39 Bn QR] of the corresponding quarter [Q4] of 2013. Compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014) GVA estimate, there has been a growth of 4.5% in this sector.
This double digit rise in this group during Q4, 2014 has resulted from the high trading and hospitality activities seen along with the increasing population of the country.
Transport and Communication This sector generated a nominal value addition of 7.05 Bn QR in Q4, 2014 against 6.29 Bn QR in Q4, 2013 showing a rise of 12.2%. However, compared to the previous quarter [Q3, 2014], a decline of 2.9% in the GVA estimate has been noticed in this group.
Real value addition in this sector has been 6.72 Bn QR in Q4, 2014 as against 6.09 Bn QR estimated in Q4, 2013. It shows a growth of 10.4%. However, compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014) estimates, the GVA estimate has fallen by 1.9%.
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Business Services The nominal GVA of this group of economic activities is estimated at 28.57 Bn QR in Q4 of 2014, showing an increase of 16%, (primarily due to rise in insurance, financing and real estate sectors) when compared to the corresponding quarter (Q4, 2013) estimate of 24.62 Bn QR. Compared to the previous quarter, Q3 of 2014, an increase of 6.0% in the GVA estimate has been recorded.
The real GVA of this group is estimated at 13.26 Bn QR in Q4, 2014, showing a growth of 9.2% when compared to the corresponding quarter (Q4) estimate of 12.15 Bn QR in 2013. Compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014), a growth of 3.4% in the GVA of Q4 of 2014 has been noticed.
Government Services The nominal GVA contribution of the “Government Services” which includes the provision of public health, education and other miscellaneous services is estimated at 19.28 Bn QR in Q4 of 2014, which is 7.5% higher than the estimate [17.93 Bn QR] of Q4, 2013. Compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014) estimates, the GVA estimate has risen by 0.7%.
The real GVA contribution of the “Government Services” is estimated at 11.50 Bn QR in Q4 of 2014, which is 5.9% higher than the estimate of Q4 of 2013 (10.86 Bn QR). However, compared to the previous quarter (Q3, 2014) estimate, the GVA estimate has fallen by 0.9%. For more info, click here.
For more details on Quarterly GDP please refer to the Website:  www.mdps.gov.qa and QALAM: www.qix.gov.qa. The next Press Release on Q1, 2015 GDP would be on 30th  June, 2015.