Qatar Foreign Merchandise Trade Surplus was QR 6.3 billion

28/04/2016

The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has released preliminary figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports, and imports for March 2016. A brief analysis of the data is given below:
 
In March 2016, the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to QR17.1 billion, showing a decrease of 33% compared to March 2015. And increased by 0.4% compared to February 2016. )Table 1).

On other hand, the imports of goods in March 2016 amounted to QR 10.8 billion, showing an increase of 4.7% over March 2015. However, on a month on month (M-o-M) basis the imports increased by 12.6%. )Table 1).

In March 2016, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 6.3 billion, i.e. a decrease of QR 8.9 billion or 58.7% compared to March 2015. And decreased by QR1.1 billion or 15.3% compared to February 2016. (Table 1).

The year on year (March 2016 to March 2015) decrease in total exports was mainly due to lower exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching 9.6 billion in March 2016, i.e. a decrease of 44.6%, Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 2.3 billion, decreased by 33.9%, as well as the Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR 0.8 billion, decreased by 37%. (Table 1).

In March 2016, Japan was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with QR 3.8 billion, a share of 22.1% of total exports, followed by South Korea with QR 2.4 billion and a share of 13.8%, India with QR 2.1 billion, a share of 12.2%. (Table 2, Graph 1)

During March 2016, Motor cars & other passenger vehicles., was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR 0.8 billion, showing a decrease of 21.8% compared to March 2015. In second place was Parts of aircraft and helicopters etc. with QR 0.4 billion, showing a decrease of 29.7%, and in third place was Electrical Apparatus for Line Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts Thereof. with QR 0.3 billion, decreased by 19.3%. (Table 1).

In March 2016, United States of America was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with QR 1.4 billion, a share of 12.5% of the imports, followed by United Arab Emirates with QR 1.0 billion, a share of 9.1%, and China with QR 0.9 billion, a share of 8.7%. (Table 2, Graph 2).


For more information, please, visit our website: 
 
       http://ftp.qsa.gov.qa:8088/

 

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