Qatar's Non-Oil Exports Reach QR1.49 Billion in May

Doha, July 08 (QNA) - Qatar Chamber's monthly report released Saturday said that the country's non-oil exports during May reached QR1.49 billion, a 12 percent increase compared to the QR1.33 billion achieved in April. The figure was a decline of 13.4 percent year over year, as non-oil exports in May 2016 reached QR1.72 billion. The total value of non-oil exports in the first five months was QR7.76 billion. Those exports were to a total of 66 countries. They included 16 Arab countries and GCC, 19 European countries including Turkey, 13 Asian countries (excluding Arab countries), 15 African countries (excluding Arab countries) and 3 countries of North and South Americas. The report also shows that Qatar Chamber issued 5665 certificates of origin last May for many destinations in 66 international markets. The figures reflect the diversity and growth of the global market for Qatari non-oil exports. Qatar Chamber Director General Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi expressed his satisfaction with the results, reserving special praise for the industrial sector in particular as they represented a big portion of the non-oil exports. He expressed hope that all other production sectors particularly agriculture and food industry could achieve the same growth ad industry sector did. The figures showed a trend of growth in the total value of non-oil exports increased to many countries such as Oman and Turkey which jumped to the second and the third place. The report states that about 57.04 percent of exports were to the GCC with QR 815.651 million compared to QR 634.8 million in April. European countries including Turkey come in the second place. They imported QR 278.689 million which represents 18.67 percent of the total non-oil exports, registering an increase compared to QR 96.054 million in April. In third place, Asian countries excluding Arab countries receiving QR 251.903 million or 16.87 percent of the total value. Arab countries came in the fourth place with total exports of QR 96.054 OR 6.34 percent. They were followed by African, North American countries, and then South American countries. They represented 0.81 percent, 0.14 percent, and 0.04 percent respectively. April was the only month that saw a decrease in non-oil exports on a monthly basis. Growth in February was the highest, reaching 22 percent. March saw a moderation in growth to seven percent. Then April saw a contraction of 27 percent, before May restored the growth trend. (QNA)