Qatar’s non-oil exports jumped 35.1 % to reach QR24.4bn in 2018 compared to the QR18.05bn recorded in 2017, according to a Qatar Chamber report. 
According to the Chamber’s Research & Studies Department and Member Affairs Department, non-oil exports in December 2018 stood at QR2.1bn, recording a 62% increase over the QR1.3bn recorded in the same month last year. 
The report showed that 2987 certificates of origin were issued last December, including 2759  issued documented while 228 issued online. 
They include 2707 general model certificates, 110 unified certificates for the GCC countries (industrial), 148 unified Arab certificates of origin and 22 certificates of origin for preferences.
Qatar Chamber’s Chairman HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani said that the continuing development of non-oil exports despite the siege demonstrates success of the country’s diversification plans aiming at reducing the reliance on oil and gas, as well as the increase of non-oil sector participation in the national GDP.
Sheikh Khalifa attributed this success to the leadership’s wise policy and support to the private sector. The private sector companies, he noted, play a major role in the economic process and they became an important factor in Qatar’s trade with world countries. The chairman affirmed the contribution of local companies in the country’s foreign trade, noting that the exports are growing steadily month after month.
The QC chairman praised the issuance of Law No (2) of 2019 on supporting the competitiveness of national products and combating harmful practices to them in international trade, noting that it came in the right time to keep pace with local developments within the framework of the country’s plans to support local products. 
This law will contribute to the development, promotion and stimulation of the local industry, he said. On his part, QC Director-General Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi said that the rapid surge in non-oil exports reiterated that business sectors are not affected by the unjust siege imposed on the country in 2017.
He noted that this also affirmed that commercial relations of the private sector have been greatly developed and Qatari products are of high quality and witnessed large demand in 68 global markets. He expected that exports will see further growth especially that many industrial projects entered production operations.