Mubasher: The value of Qatar’s non-oil exports rose by 2.2% to QAR 2.2 billion ($600 million) in February from QAR 2.1 billion the month before, data released by the Qatar Chamber showed.
Oman continued to be the number one receiver of Qatar’s non-oil exports, accounting for 54.4% or QAR 1.178 billion. Hong Kong came in second with 5.62% or QAR 121.85 million, while Germany ranked third with 5.5% or QAR 118.94 million.
As for the countries receiving Qatar’s non-oil exports, these included 12 Arab nations including other GCC members, 13 European countries including Turkey, 17 Asian countries (excluding Arab ones), 17 African nations (excluding Arab countries), and three states from North and South Americas, the report released by the Qatar Chamber indicated.
Turkey came in fourth place with almost QAR 104 million, representing 4.8% of Qatar’s total non-oil exports, followed by Switzerland with QAR 98.6 million (4.5%) in fifth place, the Netherlands in sixth, and India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and China, in seventh, eighth, and ninth places, respectively.
“It is clear that 89.22% of the total value of exports were received by the first 10 countries abovementioned,” the chamber said in its report.
“The quantum leap in non-oil exports affirmed the steadfastness towards achieving the self-sufficiency and economic dependence,” commented Qatar Chamber director general Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi.
He added that despite the political row between Qatar and neighbouring GCC members, the country was able to continue executing its strategies, which aim to promote economic growth and enhance trade.
GCC members made up the top destinations for Qatar’s non-oil exports, accounting for 55% of the total or around QAR 1.191 billion, with Oman and Kuwait being the top importers.
Qatar’s strategy also involved “opening new channels of cooperation at all fields with friendly countries”, the top official noted.
