The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has released preliminary figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports, and imports for April 2017. A brief analysis of the data is given below:
In April 2017, the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to around QR18.8 billion, showing an increase of 25.1% compared to April 2016, and decreased by 4.5% compared to March 2017.
On other hand, the imports of goods in April 2017 amounted to around QR 8.9 billion, showing decrease of 12.5% over April 2016. However, on a month on month (M-o-M) basis the imports decrease by 8.8%.
In April 2017, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 9.8 billion almost, i.e. a increase of about QR 5.0 billion or 105% compared to April 2016, And decreased by nearly QR 0.03 billion or 0.3% compared to March 2017.
The year on year (April 2017 to April 2016) increase in total exports was mainly due to higher exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching 11.5 billion approximately in April 2017, i.e. an increase of 33.2%, while increase was shown in Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 2.8 billion nearly, increased by 20.6%, and increases in the Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR 1.2 billion, increased by 75.7%.
In April 2017, Japan was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with close to QR 2.8 billion, a share of 14.9% of total exports, followed by South Korea with almost QR 2.4 billion and a share of 12.8%, India with about QR 2.3 billion, a share of 12.1%.
During April 2017, Motor cars & other passenger vehicles, was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR 0.6 billion, showing a decrease of 25.3% compared to April 2016. In second place was Turbojets, Turbo propellers & Other Gas Turbines; Parts Thereof., With QR 0.4 billion, showing an decrease by 33.6%, and in third place was Electrical Apparatus For Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts Thereof with QR 0.3 billion, decrease of 7.8%.
In April 2017, United State of America was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with about QR 1.1 billion, a share of 11.9% of the imports, followed by China with QR 1.0 billion almost, a share of 11.4%, and United Arab Emirates with QR 1.0 billion, a share of 10.7%.
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