Private sector exports in Qatar grew by 17.5% on a year-on-year basis, reaching QR9.1 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, according to the Qatar Chamber’s quarterly report.

The exports through the General Model amounted to QR 7.35 billion, an increase of 32.3% compared to QR 5.55 billion in Q1 of 2022. Similarly, exports through the Unified GCC Model reached QR 1.46 billion, growing by 26.8% compared to QR 1.15 billion in Q1/2022.

However, exports through the Unified Arab Model showed a decrease of 52.5% on a y-on-y basis, and exports through the GSP Model registered a significant decline of 97.5% on a yearly basis. Essential and Industrial Oils exports in Q1/2023 amounted to QR 5.66 million, with a y-on-y 222% increase, while Aluminium exports decreased by 62% on a y-on-y basis, reaching QR 728 million.

According to the report, the Asian countries were at the top of economic blocs that received exports of private sector during Q1/2023, followed by GCC states, the group of EU states, Arab countries, the USA, the grouping of African Countries, other European countries, other American Countries, and Oceania countries.

The growth in private sector exports in Qatar in Q1/2023 is a positive indicator of the country’s economic performance, as it indicates increased demand for Qatari goods in international markets. The rise in exports through the General and Unified GCC models is particularly noteworthy as they represent a significant share of Qatar’s total private sector exports.

In terms of exports according to the type of goods, petrochemical exports and industrial gases exports showed significant growth, while chemical substances exports and Lotrene exports showed significant declines.

The report also highlights the importance of Asian countries as a major destination for Qatari exports, accounting for over two-thirds of total private sector exports.

As for economic blocs and groupings, the Asian countries (excluding GCC and Arab countries) were at the top of economic blocs that received exports of private sector during Q1/2023 which amounted to QR 6.2 billion with a share of 68.15 percent of the total exports, followed by GCC states which received exports amounted to QR 1.52 billion or a share of 16.8 percent of the total value.

In third place came the group of EU states, with exports totalling QR 1.09 billion representing 12.05 percent of the total value, followed by Arab countries excluding Arab countries excluding GCC states that received QR 159.8 million, a share of 1.76 percent and the USA with exports amounted to QR 61.91 million, or a share of 0.68 percent of the total exports.

The grouping of African Countries excluding Arab countries came in the sixth place, which received 0.29 percent of the total exports, with a value of QR 26.63 million, followed by other European countries which received exports estimated at QR 14.71million or a share of 0.16 percent, and Other American Countries with a value of QR 0.04 percent of QR 3.9 million.

Then came the grouping of Oceania countries, with exports amounting to QR 2.3 million, equivalent to 0.03 percent of the total exports.

According to the Chamber’s report, the number of countries receiving Qatari exports in Q1/2023 was 96 countries in the above economic groupings. The African grouping came to the forefront with 29 countries. Asia came then with 19 countries, followed by the European Union with 14 countries, Arab countries excluding GCC states with 13 countries, other American countries with 8 countries, other European countries with 6 countries, the GCC with 5 countries, and the United States of America and one country (Australia) in the Oceania grouping.