Doha skyline. (Photo by Kammutty VP)
Doha: Qatar’s non-oil export has recorded a significant increase of 68% to QR2.27 billion in April 2018, compared to March 2018 when it was QR1.35 billion, and an increase of 71% compared to April 2017.
According to the monthly report of Qatar Chamber, which prepares certificates of origin issued by the Chambers Research and Studies Department and Member Affairs Department, a total of 3,068 certificates of origin were issued in April 2018, including 2,812 general form certificates, 99 unified GCC certificates (industrial), 129 unified Arab certificates of origin, and 28 certificates of origin for preference.
Commenting on the report, Director-General of Qatar Chamber Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi said that the record increase in non-oil exports during the past month by 71% compared to the same period last year is a real indicator of the development in the non-oil exports sector, which has been growing at an accelerated pace since the beginning of this year thanks to the efforts made during the last year and the facilities provided to the industrial sector, which controls the movement of non-oil exports, in addition to the increasing demand for the Qatari product, which is characterized by quality and conformity to all international specifications, strengthening the confidence in Qatari products in the global markets.
Al Sharqi noted that the volume of exports during April is a real indicator that confirms the efforts of the State in the development of the industry sector and increasing the capacity and efficiency of its productive institutions despite the surrounding circumstances, adding that the exports in April recorded a clear increase compared to the previous months, which means that Qatar's non-oil exports are not affected by the unjust siege. He affirmed that the coming period will witness a further boom in this activity after industrial facilities, currently under construction, enter the production stage.
According to the report, Qatar exported goods and services to about 59 countries in April, compared to 56 countries in March. Countries receiving Qatars non-oil exports included 11 Arab countries and GCC, 14 European countries including Turkey, 16 Asian countries (excluding Arab countries), 15 African countries (excluding Arab countries), 2 countries of North and South Americas and Australia. The number of countries that received Qatari non-oil exports in April increased by 3 countries compared with March 2018.
According to the report, Netherlands was Qatar’s top non-oil exports destination in April accounting for QR 531.6 million or 23.4% of the total exports. It was followed by Oman with almost QR 452 million or 19.9% and Hong Kong with QR251 million or 11.1%.
India came in fourth place with almost QR 129 million or 5.7% followed by the US with QR123 million or 5.4%. Bangladesh was in the sixth place followed by Germany, Turkey, Singapore and China.
European countries as an economic bloc were top destinations of Qatari exports amounting to 32.6% of the total exports with QR 740 million.
Asian countries excluding Arab countries come in the second place amounting to 32.3% of the total value with QR732 million.
GCC countries (Oman and Kuwait) come in the third place. They imported goods worth QR506.6 million, which represents 22.31% of the total non-oil exports. In the fourth place, North American countries received QR143 million or 6.3% of the total value. Arab countries came in the fifth place receiving QR 83.11 million or 3.7%.
African countries come in the sixth place. They received QR37.17 million followed by Australia, which received QR27.74 million.
