Qatar's Non-Oil Exports Reach QR 4.94 Billion in Q1

Doha, May 15 (QNA) - The total value of Qatar's non-oil exports for the first quarter of 2017 reached QR 4.94 billion, according to the monthly report of Qatar Chamber on the foreign trade of the private sector. The total value of non-oil exports for last March rose to QR 1.38 billion compared to QR 1.54 billion in the same month last year, recording an increase of 15.1%, the report shows. The report, which was prepared based on certificates of origin issued by Qatar Chambers Research and Studies Department and Member Affairs Department last March, showed that about 75% of these exports were received by the GCC countries at a value of about QR 1.37 billion, which indicates the strength of intra-GCC trade, while the rest of them were distributed to about 58 countries in the world. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia topped the list of countries which received Qatari non-oil exports in March 2017 with total exports amounting to QR 742.13 million, or 40.6% of Qatar's total non-oil exports for March. In second place after the GCC come other Asian countries group, except Arab countries. Exports to that group was QR218.89 million, which represents 12% of the total non-oil Qatari exports made during the same month (March). Meanwhile, the report shows that Qatar Chamber issued 5874 certificates of origin last March for many destinations in 58 international markets at least, compared to 51 last February. The Qatari exports went to a total of 58 countries in February, including 16 Arab countries and GCC, 16 European countries including Turkey, 11 Asian countries, 10 African countries and 5 countries of North and South Americas, the report said, adding that this indicates the widespread of export destinations for Qatari non-oil exports. Commenting on the report, Qatar Chamber Director-General Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi said that these figures significantly reflect the rapid growth of Qatars non-oil exports monthly. He praised the contribution of the local companies in this development and in the foreign trade, expressing his hope to continue in its positive involvement in the economic process, especially with the support provided by the wise government. He attributed the increase of countries receiving Qatari exports from 51 last month to 58 in March to the growing spread of destinations receiving Qatar goods. According to the report, Saudi Arabia topped the list of countries which received Qatari non-oil exports in March 2017 with total exports amounting to QR 742.13 million, or 40.6% of Qatar's total non-oil exports for March, followed by the United Arab Emirates with total exports amounted to QR 578.81 million or 31.6%. Turkey came in third place with total exports amounted to QR 82.68 million or 4.5% of Qatar's total exports. Bangladesh ranked fourth with exports worth QR 75.19 million or 3.2%, followed by India which received QR 58.36 million exports or 3.2%. GCC countries took in 75% of the total non-oil Qatari exports amounted to QR 1.372 billion, something that reflects the strong trade ties between Qatar and its GCC neighbors. In second place after the GCC come other Asian countries group (Except Arab countries). Exports to that group was QR218.89 million, which represents 12% of the total non-oil Qatari exports made during the same month (March). In third place was European countries including Turkey which received Qatar exports of QR123.9 million, which represents 6.7% of the total. In the fourth was Arab countries which received Qatari exports of QR 100.94 million. which represents 5.5% of the total exports. African countries, North America, and South America represented 0.5%, 0.2%, 0.7% respectively of the total exports. It is noteworthy that the Arab countries group including the GCC countries form 80.5% of the total exports during March 2017. (QNA)