The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has released preliminary figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports, and imports for September 2018. A brief analysis of the data is given below:
In September 2018, the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to around QR 26.8 billion, showing an increase of 30.2% compared to September 2017, and increased by 1.5% compared to August 2018.
On other hand, the imports of goods in September 2018 amounted to around QR 11.4 billion, showing an increase of 37.0% over September 2017. However, on a month on month (M-o-M) basis the imports increased by 27.7%.
In September 2018, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 15.5 billion almost, i.e. an increase of about QR 3.1 billion or 25.6% compared to September 2017, And decreased by nearly QR 2.1 billion or 11.8% compared to August 2018.
The year on year (September 2018 to September 2017) increase in total exports was mainly due to higher exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching 16.8 billion approximately in September 2018, i.e. an increase of 47.4%, Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 4.2 billion nearly, decreased by 6.4%, and increase in the Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR 2.6 billion, increased by 55.3%.
In September 2018, Japan was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with close to QR 4.7 billion, a share of 17.5% of total exports, followed by South Korea with almost QR 4.2 billion and a share of 15.7 %, India with about QR 4.0 billion, a share of 15.1%.
During September 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 increase of 54.5% compared to September 2017. In second place was “Motor cars & other passenger vehicles." with QR 0.3 billion, increase of 0.3% and in third place was “Parts of Balloons Etc.; Parts of Aircraft, Spacecraft Etc” with QR 0.3 billion, showing an increase by 47.0%.
In September 2018, United State of America was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with about QR 4.0 billion, a share of 35.3% of the imports, followed by China with QR 1.1 billion almost, a share of 10.0%, and Germany with QR 0.7 billion, a share of 6.5%.
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