Qatar Foreign Merchandise Trade Surplus was QR 15.2 billion in May, 2015

Doha, June 28 (QNA) - The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has released preliminary figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports, and imports for May 2015. A short analysis of the data is given below: In May 2015, the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to QR 24.8 billion, showing a decrease of 38.9% compared to May 2014. However, the total exports of goods increased by 4.7% compared to April 2015. (Table 1) On the other hand, the imports of goods in May 2015 amounted to QR 9.6 billion, showing an increase of 10% over May 2014. However, on a month on month (M-o-M) basis the imports decreased by 9.3%)Table 1) In May 2015, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR 15.2 billion, i.e. a decrease of QR 16.7 billion or 52.3% compared to May 2014. However, the trade balance of goods increased by QR 2.1 billion or 16% compared to April 2015. (Table 1) The year on year (May 2015 to May 2014) decrease in total exports was mainly due to lower exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching 15.9 billion in May 2015, i.e. a decrease of (41.4%), Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR 3.6 billion(50.2%(, and Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR 1.1 billion) 50.1%(. (Table 1) In May 2015, Japan was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with QR 4.8 billion, a share of 19.3% of total exports, followed by South Korea with QR 4.4 billion (17.8%) and India with QR 3.1 billion (12.5%). (Table 2, Graph 1) During May 2015, Motor cars & other passenger vehicles were at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR 0.7 billion, showing an increase of 41.8% compared to May 2014. In second place was Parts of aircraft and helicopters etc. with QR 0.5 billion, showing an increase of 24.7%, and in third place was Electrical Apparatus For Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts Thereof with QR 0.2 billion, decreased by (2.8%). (Table 1) In May 2015, United States of America was the leading country of origin of Qatar’s imports with QR 1.1 billion, a share of 11.6% of the imports, followed by China with QR 1.0 billion (10%), and United Arab Emirates with QR 0.9 billion (9.6%). (Table 2, Graph 2) (QNA)