Doha: Qatar recorded a merchandise trade surplus (difference between total exports and imports) of QR71.4bn in the fourth quarter of 2021 (Q4 2021), an increase of 189 percent from QR24.7bn during the corresponding period in the previous year (Q4 2020), official data released by the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.
The PSA yesterday released the “Quarterly Foreign Merchandise Trade Statistics, Q4 2021 State of Qatar”, comprising quarterly data on imports, exports, re-exports, and trade
balance.
During Q4 2021, the value of Qatar’s total exports (including exports of domestic goods and re-exports) amounted to QR100.0bn, which has increased by QR50.9bn (103.8 percent) compared to QR49.1bn in Q4 2020. When compared on quarterly basis, exports have risen by nearly QR17.4bn or 21.1 percent compared to Q3 2021.
The year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase in total exports was mainly due to higher exports of “Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials” by QR46.1bn (116.1 percent), “Chemicals and Related Products” by QR3.3bn (64.3 percent), “Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly by Material” by QR1.2bn (88.0 percent), and “Machinery and Transport Equipment by QR700m (52.3 percent). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded mainly in “Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles” by QR900m (76.2 percent).
The value of Qatar’s imports in Q4 2021 stood at QR28.6bn; which has increased by QR4.2bn (17.4 percent) compared to QR24.4bn in Q4 2020. When compared on quarterly basis, imports have increased by nearly QR3.8bn or 15.5 percent compared to Q3 2021.
The Y-o-Y increase in imports was mainly due to increases in “Machinery and Transport Equipment” by QR1.5bn (14.9 percent), “Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles” by QR800m (18.5 percent), “Chemicals and Related Products” by QR700m (28.8 percent), “Crude Materials, Inedible Except Fuels” by QR500m (75.5 percent), and “Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly by Material” by QR300m (8.8 percent). On other hand, no significant decrease was recorded in Q4 2021.
During Q4 2021, Asia was the principal destination of Qatar’s exports and the first origin of Qatar’s imports, representing 71.3 percent and 43.7 percent respectively, followed by the European Union, accounting for 18.0 percent and 27.9 percent respectively, and GCC, with 5.0 percent and 3.5 percent respectively.
