Doha, Qatar: The total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) in September amounted to around QR29.3bn, showing a decrease of 30.9% compared September 2022, and decrease of 6.8% compared to August 2023, according to the Planning and Statistics Authority.
On other hand, the imports of goods in September 2023 amounted to around QR9.4bn, showing a decrease of 16.7% compared to September 2022. and decrease of 6.5% compared to August 2023.
In September 2023, the foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of QR19.9bn almost, i.e., a decrease of about QR11.2bn or 36.1% compared to September 2022, and decrease by nearly QR1.5bn or 7.0% compared to August 2023.
The year on year (September 2023 vs. September 2022) decrease in total exports was mainly due to lower exports of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, etc.) reaching QR16.7bn (approximately) in September 2023, i.e. decrease of 44.7%, Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (crude) reaching QR5.4bn nearly, increase by 12.7%, and increase in the Petroleum oils & oils from bituminous minerals (not crude) reaching QR3.2bn (4.1%).
In September 2023, China was at the top of the countries of destination of Qatar’s exports with close to QR5bn, a share of 17.0% of total exports, followed by South Korea with almost QR3.44bn and a share of 11.8%, and India with about QR3.42bn, a share of 11.7%.
The year on year (September 2023 vs. September 2022), the group of “Turbojets, Turbopropellers & Other Gas Turbines; Parts Thereof” was at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR0.7bn, showing a decrease of 10.7%. In second place was “Parts of Aeroplanes or Helicopters” with QR0.42bn, increase by 38.5%, and in third place “Motor Cars & Other Motor Vehicles for the Transport of Persons” with QR0.36bn, showing a decrease of 11.6%.
