The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has released preliminary figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports, and imports for August 2018. A brief analysis of the data is given below:
In August 2018, the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to around QR 26.4 billion, showing an increase of 23.3% compared to August 2017, and decreased by 0.7% compared to July 2018.
On other hand, the imports of goods in August 2018 amounted to around QR 8.9 billion, showing an increase of 0.3% over August 2017. However, on a month on month (M-o-M) basis the imports decreased by 8.5%.
In August 2018, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 17.5 billion almost, i.e. an increase of about QR 5.0 billion or 39.5% compared to August 2017, And increased by nearly QR 0.6 billion or 3.7% compared to July 2018.
The year on year (August 2018 to August 2017) increase in total exports was mainly due to higher exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching 16.9 billion approximately in August 2018, i.e. an increase of 28.1%, Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 4.3 billion nearly, increased by 15.7%, and increase in the Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR 1.6 billion, increased by 20.4%.
In August 2018, India was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with close to QR 4.4 billion, a share of 16.6% of total exports, followed by South Korea with almost QR 4.4 billion and a share of 16.6 %, Japan with about QR 3.9 billion, a share of 14.9%.
During August 2018, the group of " Turbojets, Turbo propellers & Other Gas Turbines; Parts Thereof " was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR 0.4 billion, showing a decrease of 39.0% compared to August 2017. In second place was “Parts of Balloons Etc.; Parts of Aircraft, Spacecraft Etc." with QR 0.3 billion, decrease of 8.2% and in third place was “Motor cars & other passenger vehicles.” with QR 0.2 billion, showing a decrease by 12.8%.
In August 2018, United State of America was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with about QR 2.3 billion, a share of 26.0% of the imports, followed by China with QR 1.0 billion almost, a share of 11.1%, and India with QR 0.6 billion, a share of 6.2%.
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