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The Minister of Finance His Excellency Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari emphasised that Qatar’s LNG expansion strategy is helping to buffer against falling oil prices, ensuring stability in revenues and long-term resilience.He was speaking at the panel discussion titled ‘Global Trade Tensions: Economic Impact and Policy Responses in Mena’ held Saturday on the sidelines of the Doha Forum 2025.HE al-Kuwari noted that diversification has been central to Qatar’s 2030 national vision strategy since 2008, with growth increasingly coming from non-oil sectors, such as technology, manufacturing, logistics, and tourism. “Most of the growth in the economy is coming from the non-oil sector. For example, the first six months, GDP this year was 5.3% in growth from the non-oil GDP,” he said.HE al-Kuwari highlighted Qatar’s fiscal discipline, pointing to a 20-year framework that guides debt reduction, investment allocation, and reserve building. This approach has already reduced net debt from 58% in 2021 to 45%, earning Qatar an AA rating from all three major agencies — the highest in the region, he pointed out.The minister also stressed Qatar’s readiness to face global shocks, including recessions, thanks to fiscal buffers and disciplined policy. “Of course...Qatar has been very resilient. We’ve been resilient to many shocks,” emphasised HE al-Kuwari, who assured that the economy is ready in the event of a recession. 

Qatar shipped 25 more LNG cargoes in the first nine months of this year compared to 9M 2024, according to Gas Export Countries Forum (GECF).In its latest monthly report, GECF noted that the United States shipped 181 more cargoes during the period compared to 9M 2024.In September, some 507 LNG cargoes were exported globally, which were six fewer shipments than one year ago, as well as 30 fewer shipments than in the previous month.In the first three quarters of 2025, total cargo exports reached 4,771, which was 54 more than during the same period in 2024, GECF notedDuring these months, 46% of LNG cargoes exported originated from GECF countries, led by Qatar, Malaysia and Russia, the report said.In September, global LNG exports rose by 4.2% y-o-y (1.40mn tonnes) to reach 34.91mn tonnes, marking the slowest pace of growth since June this year.The increase was primarily driven by non-GECF countries, and to a lesser extent from LNG re-exports, which offset weaker LNG exports from GECF Member Countries.Between January and September, cumulative global LNG exports grew by 4.7% y-o-y (14.31mn tonnes) to reach 319.46mn tonnes.This growth was supported by stronger LNG exports from non-GECF countries and a modest uptick in LNG exports from GECF Member Countries and re-export activity.The share of LNG exports from non-GECF countries continued to rise, increasing from 50.6% in September 2024 to 55.4% in September this year.Similarly, the share of LNG re-exports moved slightly higher from 0.5% to 0.6%.In contrast, the share of GECF Member Countries declined over the same period, falling from 48.9% to 44%.“The US, Qatar, and Australia remained the top three LNG exporters,” GECF noted.In September, LNG exports from GECF Member and Observer Countries fell by 6.3% (1.03mn tonnes) y-o-y to 15.17mn tonnes reversing four consecutive months of annual growth.The decline was most pronounced in Algeria, Nigeria, Peru and Russia, while Qatar recorded a sharp increase in its LNG exports.In Algeria, Nigeria, and Peru, reduced feedgas availability contributed to the decline in LNG exports.In Algeria, upstream maintenance activities curtailed feedgas supply, resulting in lower LNG output.In Nigeria, pipeline maintenance is believed to have constrained feedgas flows to liquefaction facilities.Meanwhile, Russia’s lower LNG exports originated from the Portovaya, Vysotsk, and Yamal LNG plants.Conversely, Qatar recorded higher LNG exports, supported by stronger output from the Ras Laffan LNG facility, which operated above its nameplate capacity.From January to September, aggregated GECF LNG exports moved marginally higher by 0.1% (0.20mn tonnes) y-o-y to reach 143.79mn tonnes, GECF noted.