Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) has released the preliminary estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices for the first quarter (Q1) of 2011. QSA has used the information collected through the Quarterly Economic Indicator Survey and from other agencies and Ministries/Departments.
Preliminary estimates of GDP for 2010 In line with the final revision of the annual estimates of GDP for the period 2004 to 2009 released by QSA on17th July, 2011, the preliminary quarterly and annual estimates for 2010 released in April, 2011 have also been revised. Accordingly, the preliminary estimate of GDP for 2010 at current prices attained 463.49 billion Qatari Riyal, which shows a rise of 30.1% over the GDP estimates for 2009 in nominal terms. However, in real terms, GDP most likely grew by around 16%. Preliminary estimates of GDP for Q1, 2011The salient features of Q1 2011 estimates are discussed in the following paragraphs. However, users are advised to be cautious in the interpretation of the comparison with the preceding quarter because of the possible presence of seasonality.The quarterly GDP at current prices is estimated at 141.84 billion Qatari Riyal in the Q1 of 2011. Compared to the estimates of Q1 of 2010 with 110.46 billion Qatari Riyal, this represents an increase of 28.4%; while compared to Q4 of 2010 estimates of 126.44 billion Qatari Riyal, this represents an increase of 12.2%An analysis by industry groups, comparing the performance in Q1 of 2011 with the corresponding quarter in 2010 [Year on Year Basis], and with the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2010 is given below:In Q1 of 2011, the Gross Value Added (GVA) for the Mining and Quarrying sector is estimated at 81.12 billion Qatari Riyal. Compared to the level recorded in the Q1 of 2010 with 56.26 billion Qatari Riyal, this represents an increase of 44.2%, and compared to the previous quarter (Q4 of 2010) at 67.71 billion Qatari Riyal, it shows a rise of 19.8%. The increase in value is the combined effect of higher volume of production of Oil & Gas (17%: Q1 2011 over Q1 2010) and higher prices.The GVA of Manufacturing sector is estimated at 14.14 billion Qatari Riyal in Q1 of 2011 registering an increase of 19.7% over the corresponding quarter of 2010 [11.81 billion Qatari Riyal in Q4 of 2010]. However, compared to the previous quarter (Q4 of 2010), the increase is 6.2%. The Construction sector, which for the last two quarters of 2010, has been showing signs of recovery, maintained an upward trend in Q1 2011. GVA has been continuously rising from 5.3 billion Qatari Riyal in Q3, 2010 to 5.8 billion Qatari Riyal in Q4 2010, and to 6.1 billion Qatari Riyal in Q1 2011. The Transport and Communication sector generated a value added of 5.34 billion Qatari Riyal in Q1 of 2011 against 4.45 billion Qatari Riyal in Q1 of 2010 showing a rise of 20.1%. Compared to the previous quarter, Q4 of 2010, the increase was 15%. For Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Business Services, the GVA is estimated at 15.97 billion Qatari Riyal in Q1 of 2011, showing an increase of 10.4% when compared to the corresponding quarter (Q1) in 2010. The contribution of the Government Services which includes the provision of public health, education and other miscellaneous services is estimated at 10.17 billion Qatari Riyal in Q1 of 2011, which is 20.6% higher than the Q1 of 2010, and 5.7% higher than the previous quarter (Q4 of 2010).
Estimates of Quarterly Gross Domestic Product by economic activities at current prices 2011 First Quarter 
