Doha: Qatar’s economy has gained momentum in exports with the easing of COVID-19 related restrictions. Asian countries occupied a dominating position in Qatar’s exports during the first quarter (Q1) of 2022, with the top four export destinations for Qatari exports coming from Asia, according to the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) data.
Qatari exports witnessed consistent growth during the first quarter of the current year, with China securing the top spot for Qatari exports’ destination. Exports from Qatar to China, in the first three months of the year, reached QR19.2bn. Japan secured the second place with Qatari exports amounting to QR13.4bn in the first quarter. India secured the third place in the ranking as total Qatari exports to the country stood at QR13bn from January to February 2022.
South Korea came in fourth place as total exports from Qatar reached QR12.5bn in the first quarter. Total exports from Qatar to different countries stood at QR103.8bn during the first quarter, which shows a rise of QR39.8bn or 62.2 percent compared to first quarter of last year when the total exports amounted to QR64bn, and increased by nearly QR3.8bn or 3.8 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.
In March 2022, the total exports of goods including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports amounted to around QR22.1bn, showing an increase of 38.2 percent compared to March 2020, and an increase of 7 percent compared to February 2021.
While the total exports of goods including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports in January 2022 amounted to around QR35.5bn, showing an increase of 66.9 percent compared to January 2021.
The increase in total exports in the first quarter of 2022 on year-on-year basis was mainly due to higher exports of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, chemicals and related products, and crude materials.
In the first quarter of 2021, in terms of major destination for Qatari exports, Japan emerged as a top destination as total exports during the period last year amounted to around QR10.64bn. Exports to China, South Korea and India stood at QR10.5bn, QR10bn, and QR9bn respectively.
