52.2% Increase in the Monthly Trade Balance Surplus to QR16.4 Billion in January 2018

February 28, 2018

In January 2017, Qatar’s foreign merchandise trade balance, which represents the difference between total exports and imports, showed a surplus of about QR16.4 billion, i.e. an increase of about QR5.6 billion or 52.2% compared to January 2017; and increased by nearly QR1.5 billion or 9.8% compared to December 2017.

The above data was released in the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics’ preliminary foreign trade statistics report for the month of January 2018. The report illustrates figures of the value of exports of domestic goods, re-exports, and imports.

The report showed that the total exports of goods (including exports of goods of domestic origin and re-exports) amounted to around QR25.9 billion in January 2018, an increase of 28.8% compared to January 2017, and an increase of 0.1% compared to December 2017.

On another hand, the imports of goods in January 2018 amounted to around QR9.6 billion, showing an increase of 2.0% over January 2017. However, on a month on month basis the imports decreased by 13.0%.