DOHA: The value of Qatar’s total exports goods amounted to QR24.8bn in May 2015, a decrease of 38.9 percent compared to May 2014. However, the total exports of goods increased by 4.7 percent this May, compared to the previous month, a preliminary data released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS) noted here the other day.
On the other hand, the imports of goods in May 2015 amounted to QR9.6bn, an increase of 10 percent over May 2014. However, on a month on month (M-o-M) basis the imports decreased by 9.3 percent.
In May 2015, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 15.2bn, an decrease of QR16.7bn or 52.3 percent compared to May 2014. However, the trade balance of goods increased by QR2.1bn or 16 percent compared to April 2015.
According to a QNA report, the year- on- year decrease in total exports was mainly due to lower exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons, (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc), reaching 15.9bn in May 2015, a decrease of 41.4 percent, Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 3.6bn, and Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR 1.1bn.
In May 2015, Japan was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with QR 4.8bn, a share of 19.3 percent of total exports, followed by South Korea with QR 4.4bn (17.8 percent) and India with QR 3.1bn (12.5 percent). During May 2015, Motor cars & other passenger vehicles were at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR 0.7bn, showing an increase of 41.8 percent compared to May 2014. In second place was Parts of aircraft and helicopters etc. with QR 0.5bn, showing an increase of 24.7 percent, and in third place was electrical apparatus for Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets etc.
In May 2015, United States of America was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with QR1.1bn, a share of 11.6 percent of the imports, followed by China with QR1.0bn (10 percent), and United Arab Emirates with QR0.9bn (9.6 percent).
