Qatar’s non-oil exports have reached QR11.5bn in the first half of 2018, a 33.7% year-on-year growth over QR8.6bn recorded in 2017, according to figures from Qatar Chamber’s latest report. 

The following is the breakdown of non-oil exports in the first six months of the year: January (QR2.11bn), February (QR2.16bn), March (QR1.35bn), April (QR2.27bn), May (QR1.90bn), and June (QR1.65bn). 
Non-oil exports in June 2018 reached QR1.65bn, a 108% increase compared to the QR794mn reported in June 2017, said the report, which was based on 2,599 certificates of origin issued in June this year by Qatar Chamber’s Research & Studies Department and Member Affairs Department.
According to the report, Oman was Qatar’s top non-oil exports destination in June, accounting for QR581.2mn or 35.1% of the total exports for the month. Trailing behind Oman is Holland with QR236.6mn or 14.3%, followed by Turkey (QR155.8mn or 9.4%), Germany (QR99.3mn, 6%), and Hong Kong (QR88mn, 5.3%). Other succeeding countries include Singapore, the US, China, India, and Indonesia.
The statistics June showed that Qatar’s exports reached 56 destinations, including 10 Arab and GCC countries; 12 European countries, including Turkey; 14 Asian countries, excluding Arab countries; 18 African countries, excluding Arab countries; and two countries in North and South America.
The report said about 35.5% of non-oil exports worth QR587.3mn went to the GCC. European countries, including Turkey imported QR500mn worth of goods or 30.2% of the total non-oil exports.
Asian countries imported QR406.5mn worth of goods or 24.6% of the total value, while Arab countries, excluding GCC countries received QR75mn or 4.5%. Other importers included North America, African countries, excluding Arab countries, and South America.
Qatar Chamber director general Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi said after one year of the unjust siege imposed on Qatar, the country’s monthly data and statistics on exports indicated growth, confirming that Qatar’s exports were not affected by the blockade.
Al-Sharqi said the growing list of markets for Qatar’s non-oil exports in terms of the number and volume of imports “is another proof of the quality of the products that constitute the strength of these exports.”
He thanked all of Qatar’s trading partners and the Qatari private sector companies, which, he said, “are the main driver in achieving this success and development in the value, size, and quality of these exports.”
Al-Sharqi said the growth of Qatar’s non-oil exports in H1 2018 confirms that the Qatari private sector “has achieved growth in exports during the siege compared to the pre-siege period.”