Qatar Non-Oil Exports Jump 35% to Reach QR24.4 Billion in 2018

Doha, January 15 (QNA) - Qatar's non-oil exports jumped 35.1 % to reach QR24.4 bn in 2018 compared to the QR18.05bn recorded in 2017, according to a Qatar Chamber report. According to the chamber's Research & Studies Department and Member Affairs Department, non-oil exports in December 2018 stood at QR2.1bn, recording a 62% increase over the QR1.3bn recorded in the same month last year. The report showed that 2987 certificates of origin were issued last December, including 2759 issued documented while 228 issued online. They include 2707 general model certificates, 110 unified certificates for the GCC countries (industrial), 148 unified Arab certificates of origin and 22 certificates of origin for preferences. HE Qatar Chamber's Chairman HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani said that the continuing development of non-oil exports despite the siege demonstrates success of the countrys diversification plans aiming at reducing the reliance on oil and gas, as well as the increase of non-oil sector participation in the national GDP. His Excellency attributed this success to the leadership's wise policy and support to the private sector. The private sector companies, he noted, play major role in the economic process and they became an important factor in Qatar's trade with world countries. Sheikh Khalifa affirmed the contribution of local companies in the countrys foreign trade, noting that there exports are growing steadily month after month. QC Chairman praised the issuance of Law No. (2) of 2019 on supporting the competitiveness of national products and combating harmful practices to them in international trade, noting that it came in the right time to keep pace with local developments within the framework of the Countrys plans to support local products. This law will contribute to the development, promotion and stimulation of the local industry, he said. On his part, QC Director-General Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi said that the rapid surge in non-oil exports reiterated that business sectors are not affected by the siege imposed on the country more approximately two years. He noted that this also affirmed that commercial relations of the private sector have been greatly developed and Qatari products are of high quality and witnessed large demand in 68 global markets. He expected that exports will see further growth especially that many industrial projects entered production operations. The report said 68 countries received non-oil exports from Qatar last December compared to the 67 listed during November. The list includes 12 Arab countries, including the Gulf Cooperation Council countries; 18 European countries, including Turkey; 17 Asian countries except Arab countries; 19 African countries except Arab countries; and two North American countries. Oman topped the list of importing countries in last December with a total of QR431.075mn, or 20.29% of the total value of non-oil exports from Qatar. It was followed by Netherlands with QR351.034 million, or 16.52%, Germany (QR255.363mn, or 12.02%), and Hong Kong (QR243.467mn, 11.46%. India imported QR228.53mn worth of non-oil products from Qatar, or 10.76% of the total value. France, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Denmark, Indonesia and China came in different values and percentages respectively, where the 10 countries accounted for 88.4% of Qatars total non-oil exports last month. On the other hand, the group o the Group of European countries including Turkey topped the blocs and economic groups receiving Qatari non-oil exports in December 2018 worth around QR819.939mn; followed by the group of Asian countries, excluding Arab countries imported non-oil products from Qatar worth QR729.274mn. The GCC countries Oman and Kuwait came in the third place with total exports amounting to QR458.246m , followed by the group of Arab countries, excluding the GCC countries with total value of exports amounting to about QR 76.188m, followed by North America and African countries excluding Arab countries, with varying values. (END)