Qatar’s non-oil exports reach QR6.3bn in four months, says Qatar Chamber report

Qatar’s non-oil exports in April 2017 stood at QR1.3bn, while the total volume of non-oil exports in the first four months of the year reached QR6.27bn, Qatar Chamber said in its monthly report.The report, which was based on the certificates of origin issued last April by the chamber’s Research & Studies Department and Member Affairs Department, showed that non-oil exports were distributed to 61countries. In March, Qatar exported non-oil products to 58 countries.According to the report, non-oil exports in April 2017 fell 27.3% (QR1.3bn) compared to the QR1.83bn recorded in March. Compared to April 2016, non-oil exports dropped 18.4%, the report also said.The industry sector was the top performer for non-oil exports in April, “which significantly shows the great development and its increasing contribution in the GDP among other non-oil sectors,” the report noted.Industrial gases topped the list of non-oil exports followed by aluminium alloys, bars, and molds, chemical fertilisers, and steel veins. Exports also included polyethylene, flour, detergents and plastic rolls, pipes, and bags.The report said about 47.8% of these exports went to the GCC region, while Arab countries (excluding GCC states) received 32.8%.Qatari exports went to a total of 61 countries in April, including 17 Arab countries and the GCC; Europe, including Turkey (12 countries); Asia, except Arab countries (10); Africa, excluding Arab countries (17); North and South Americas (4), and Australia, the report said.Qatar Chamber director general Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi said: “These figures work as a mirror that reflects the actual reality of one of the most important aspects of our economy which is foreign trade.“Qatar Chamber is keen on issuing these statistics data, which are of great advantage to those who are interested in economic activity. These figures significantly reflect the growing number of destinations receiving Qatar’s goods.”