The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has released preliminary figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports, and imports for May 2018. A brief analysis of the data is given below:
In May 2018, the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to around QR 24.8 billion, showing an increase of 22.0% compared to May 2017, and increase by 3.4% compared to April 2018.
On other hand, the imports of goods in May 2018 amounted to around QR 9.9 billion, showing an increase of 2.7% over May 2017. However, on a month on month (M-o-M) basis the imports increased by 7.9%.
In May 2018, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 14.9 billion almost, i.e. an increase of about QR 4.2 billion or 39.5% compared to May 2017, And increased by nearly QR 0.1 billion or 0.5% compared to April 2018.
The year on year (May 2018 to May 2017) increase in total exports was mainly due to higher exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching 14.5 billion approximately in May 2018, i.e. an increase of 20.0%, Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 4.1 billion nearly, increased by 22.8%, and increase in the Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR 2.5 billion, increased by 118.6%.
In May 2018, South Korea was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with close to QR 4.2 billion, a share of 17.1% of total exports, followed by Japan with almost QR 3.8 billion and a share of 15.2 %, China with about QR 3.0 billion, a share of 11.9%.
During May 2018, the group of " Motor cars & other passenger vehicles " was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR 0.4 billion, showing a decrease of 12.2% compared to May 2017. In second place was “Parts Of Balloons Etc.; Parts Of Aircraft, Spacecraft Etc.” with QR 0.4 billion, increase of 118.0% and in third place was “Electrical Apparatus For Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts Thereof” with QR 0.3 billion, showing an increase by 47.9%.
In May 2018, United State of America was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with about QR 1.8 billion, a share of 18.2% of the imports, followed by China with QR 1.2 billion almost, a share of 12.4%, and India with QR 0.6 billion, a share of 6.4%.
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