QAR 26.3 Qatari Trade Surplus in September

Doha, Qatar's trade surplus fell to 26.3 billion riyals ($7.2 billion) in September from 32.8 billion riyals a year ago, preliminary data from the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics showed on Wednesday. Qatar's total exports of goods (including exports of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to QAR36.1 billion, showing a decrease of 13.4% compared to the corresponding month of 2013, according to a recent report published by Qatar's ministry of development planning and statistics. On the other hand, the imports of goods in September 2014 amounted to QAR9.8 billion, showing an increase of 10.5% over the value recorded in the same month last year. Meanwhile, In September 2014, the trade balance of goods, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QAR26.3 billion, showing a decrease of QAR6.5 billion or 19.9% compared to September 2013. The year on year (September 2014 to September 2013) decrease in total exports was mainly due to lower exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching 21.9 billion in September 2014, i.e. a decrease of 12.1% compared to September 2013, and Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QAR6.2 billion 20.1%, and Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) to reach QAR2.2 billion 26.0%. In September 2014, Japan topped the export destination with QAR8.0 billion, a share of 22.2% of total exports, South Korea with QAR6.3 billion 17.5%, then India with QAR5.2 billion 14.5%. During September 2014, Motor cars & other passenger vehicles was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QAR0.8 billion, showing an increase of 7.5% compared to September 2013. In second and third place were imports of Motor Vehicles For The Transport Of Goods with QAR 0.2 billion, increased by 58.3%, and Electrical Apparatus For Line Telephony/Telegraphy, telephone sets etc.; parts thereof with QAR0.2 billion, increased by 11.5%. In September 2014, United States of America was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with QAR1.4 billion, a share of 14.5% of the imports, followed by China with QAR1.0 billion 10.2%, and Germany with QAR0.8 billion 7.7%. (QNA)