FOREWORD

The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS) is pleased to publish the “Bulletin on
Quarterly Foreign Merchandise Trade Statistics, Q4 2015”, comprising quarterly data on imports, exports, re-
exports, and trade balance. The bulletin presents detailed statistics of the foreign merchandise trade of
Qatar by commodity and partner country. Quarter-on-Quarter (Q-o-Q) percentage changes are also
provided.

Thus, it is worth mentioning that accurate and timely statistics on merchandise trade are an
important source of information about the pattern and pace of economic activity in Qatar. The importance
of the official statistics on foreign merchandise trade is attributed to the fact that such data are a pivotal tool
to measure the change in the stock of material resources of the country resulting from the physical
movement of goods inside and outside Qatar.

The merchandise trade data are a major input used for compilation of Balance of Payment and
National Accounts. In addition, they are considered an essential piece of information to decision makers in
the private sector, as well as to government. Moreover, they are important to support policies and decisions
as governments use foreign trade data to support negotiation of international trade agreements.

The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics also places on record its deep thanks and
gratitude for the sincere efforts of the providers of statistical data included in this bulletin; namely, the
General Authority of Customs and export trading companies. Moreover, MDPS hopes that this publication
would receive the approbation and praise of all stakeholders and provide a good insight on the subject.

In conclusion, MDPS confirms its non-stop keenness and commitment to development.

Accordingly, any suggestion that would improve the contents of this bulletin to achieve the desired interest
will be welcomed and appreciated.

Dr. Saleh Al Nabit

Minister, MDPS

2|Page
Contents
FOREWORD................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Foreign Merchandise Trade-Highlights ..................................................................................................................... 4
Table 1: Quarterly exports, imports, and foreign merchandise trade balance, 2014 and 2015 ....................... 4
Graph1: Quarterly exports, imports, and foreign merchandise trade balance, 2014 and 2015 ...................... 5
Table 2: Total exports and imports by sections of SITC rev. 3, Q4 2015 ........................................................... 5
1. Exports ............................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Analysis of exports by SITC rev.3 in Q4 2015. .............................................................................................. 6
Graph 2: Composition of the exports by SITC rev. 3 (percentage from total), Q4 2015 ................................... 6
1.2 Analysis of exports by main headings of the HS 2012 code in Q4 2015. ..................................................... 7
2. Imports .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
2.1 Analysis of imports by SITC rev.3 in Q4 2015. .............................................................................................. 7
Graph 3: Composition of the imports by SITC rev.3 (percentage from total), Q4 2015 ................................... 8
2.2 Analysis of imports by main sections of the HS 2012 code in Q4 2015. ...................................................... 8
3. Foreign Merchandise Trade by Economic Zones .............................................................................................. 9
3.1 Major trading partners in Q4 2015. ............................................................................................................. 9
Graph 4: Merchandise trade balance with GCC countries, Q4 2015 .............................................................. 10
3.2 Other trading partners in Q4 2015. ............................................................................................................ 10
Graph 5: Total exports by economic zones, Q4 2015 ..................................................................................... 11
Graph 6: Imports by economic zones, Q4 2015 .............................................................................................. 11
Table 3: Total exports values by selected sections, divisions, and groups of the SITC rev. 3 ................................. 12
Table 4: Total exports values by selected headings of the Harmonized System code (HS) .................................... 14
Table 5: Imports values by sections and divisions of SITC rev. 3............................................................................. 15
Table 6: Imports values by selected headings of the Harmonized System code (HS) ............................................. 17
Table 7: Imports values of selected construction materials by SITC rev. 3 ............................................................. 18
Table 8: Foreign merchandise trade statistics by economic zones and selected countries, Q4 2015 .................... 19
Technical Notes ....................................................................................................................................................... 20
Concepts .................................................................................................................................................................. 21
Economic Zones ....................................................................................................................................................... 22

3|Page
 Foreign Merchandise Trade-Highlights
Foreign Merchandise Trade Balance: In Q4 2015, Qatar recorded a merchandise trade balance surplus
(difference between total exports and imports) of QR 39.5 billion, down from QR 88.0 billion in Q4
2014.

Total Exports: In Q4 2015, the value of Qatar’s total exports (including exports of domestic goods and
re-exports) amounted to QR 62.7 billion, decreased by QR 36.9 billion (37.1%) compared to Q4 2014
total exports of QR 99.6 billion.

The Q4 2015 year on year (Y-o-Y) decline in total exports was mainly due to lower exports of Mineral fuels,
lubricants and related materials by QR 36.0 billion, and Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material,
QR 0.8 billion; however, an increase was recorded in Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles by QR 0.3 billion.

Imports: The value of Qatar’s imports in Q4 2015 was QR 31.7 billion; increased by QR 1.0 billion
(3.2%) compared to Q4 2014 imports of QR 30.7 billion.

The Q4 2015 Y-o-Y increase in imports reflected increases mainly in Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles by
QR 1.5 billion, Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material, QR 0.2 billion, Food and live animals, QR
0.2 billion, and Chemicals and Related Products n.e.s. 0.1 billion; however, a decrease was recorded in
Machinery and transports equipment by QR 1.1 billion.

Major Export/Import Partners: During Q4 2015, Asia was the principal destination of Qatar’s exports
and the first origin of Qatar’s imports, representing 72.8% and 32.0% respectively, followed by the
European Union, accounting for 12.9% and 32.4% respectively, and the Gulf Cooperation Council, with
7.4% and 14.7% respectively.

Table 1: Quarterly exports, imports, and foreign merchandise trade balance, 2014 and 2015
Values: Million QR
Total Exports* Imports Trade Balance

Period Percentage Percentage Percentage

2014** 2015*** Change 2014** 2015*** Change 2014** 2015*** Change
Y-o-Y Y-o-Y Y-o-Y
YEAR 461,198 281,351 -39.0 110,809 118,704 7.1 350,389 162,647 -53.6

Q1 128,272 77,742 -39.4 26,296 29,315 11.5 101,976 48,427 -52.5

Q2 118,168 73,073 -38.2 26,609 29,348 10.3 91,559 43,725 -52.2
Q3 115,152 67,870 -41.1 27,187 28,344 4.3 87,965 39,526 -55.1
Q4 99,606 62,666 -37.1 30,717 31,697 3.2 68,889 30,969 -55.0
* Total exports include exports of domestic goods and re-exports.
** Provisional data (Revised). *** Preliminary estimates.

4|Page
 Graph1: Quarterly exports, imports, and foreign merchandise trade balance, 2014 and 2015
(In million QR)

Table 2: Total exports and imports by sections of SITC rev. 3, Q4 2015

SITC rev. 3 Q4 2014* Q3 2015** Q4 2015** Y-o-Y Q-o-Q

Million QR %
TOTAL EXPORTS
Total 99,606 67,870 62,666 -37.1 -7.7
(0) Food and Live Animals 58 36 205 253.4 469.4
(1) Beverages and Tobacco 1 1 3 200.0 200.0
(2) Crude Materials, Inedible, Except Fuels 448 349 432 -3.6 23.8
(3) Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials 86,833 55,546 50,785 -41.5 -8.6
(4) Animal and Vegetable Oils, Fats and Waxes 2 2 2 0.0 0.0
(5) Chemicals and Related Products n.e.s. 7,781 8,035 7,344 -5.6 -8.6
(6) Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly By Material 2,658 1,605 1,874 -29.5 16.8
(7) Machinery and Transport Equipment 1,537 2,065 1,481 -3.6 -28.3
(8) Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles 288 231 540 87.5 133.8
(9) Commodities and Transactions n.e.s. - - - - -
IMPORTS
Total 30,717 28,344 31,697 3.2 11.8
(0) Food and Live Animals 2,526 2,247 2,719 7.6 21.0
(1) Beverages and Tobacco 223 296 268 20.2 -9.5
(2) Crude Materials, Inedible, Except Fuels 1,407 1,418 1,466 4.2 3.4
(3) Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials 339 430 328 -3.2 -23.7
(4) Animal and Vegetable Oils, Fats and Waxes 80 90 89 11.3 -1.1
(5) Chemicals and Related Products n.e.s. 2,316 2,225 2,446 5.6 9.9
(6) Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly By Material 4,816 4,888 5,009 4.0 2.5
(7) Machinery and Transport Equipment 15,605 12,928 14,456 -7.4 11.8
(8) Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles 3,198 3,561 4,677 46.2 31.3
(9) Commodities and Transactions n.e.s. 207 261 239 15.5 -8.4
* Provisional data (Revised).
** Preliminary estimate.

5|Page
1. Exports
1.1 Analysis of exports by SITC rev.3 in Q4 2015.
In Q4 2015, the value of Qatar’s total exports (including exports of domestic goods and re-exports)
amounted to QR 62.7 billion, showing a year on year (Y-o-Y) decline of QR 36.9 billion (37.1%). However, on
a quarter on quarter (Q-o-Q) basis the decline was QR 5.2 billion (7.7%); (Table 2).
The Q4 2015 Y-o-Y decline in total exports was mainly driven by a decrease in Mineral fuels,
lubricants and related materials of QR 36.0 billion (41.5%) and Manufactured goods classified chiefly by
material by QR 0.8 billion (29.5%); however, an increase was recorded in Miscellaneous manufactured
mrticles by QR 0.3 billion. (87.5%); (Table 2).
Within Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, decreases were recorded in Natural gas
whether or not liquefied by QR 19.7 (41.%), Liquefied propane and butane, QR 7.5 billion (39.6%), Petroleum
crude oils, QR 7.3 billion (47.1%), and Petroleum oils other than crude, QR 1.6 billion (35.6%); (Table 3).
Among Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material main decreases were recorded in Non-
ferrous metals by QR 0.4 billion (27.5%) and Iron and steel by QR 0.3 billion (31.9%); (Table 3).
Within Chemicals and related products n.e.s. increases were recorded in Organic chemicals by QR 0.4
billion (38.1%), and Other chemical materials and products, including fertilizers, QR 0.2 billion (11.1%), while
a decrease was registered in Plastics in primary forms by QR 0.7 billion (19.1%), (Table 3).
As a group, the value of exports of non-mineral fuels (total exports excluding SITC section 3) showed
a decrease of QR 0.9 billion (7.5%) comparing Q4 2015 with Q4 2014.
In Q4 2015, Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials accounted for 81% of total exports, while
Chemicals and related products accounted for 12% of total exports, Manufactured goods classified chiefly by
material, 3%, and the remaining 4% corresponded to Other goods; (Graph 2).
Graph 2: Composition of the exports by SITC rev. 3 (percentage from total), Q4 2015

6|Page
1.2 Analysis of exports by main headings of the HS 2012 code in Q4 2015.
In Q4 2015, around 92% of exports were concentrated in ten headings (4-digit level) of the HS code
related to mineral fuels, plastics, aluminum, organic chemicals, and fertilizers; (Table 4).

The Q4 2014 to Q4 2015 decline in total exports reflected decreases mainly in Petroleum gases and
other gaseous hydrocarbons by QR 27.2 billion (40.6%), Petroleum oils crude, QR 7.3 billion (47.1%),
Petroleum oils other than crude, QR 1.6 billion (35.6%), Polymers of ethylene in primary forms, QR 0.8 billion
(21%), Unwrought aluminum, QR 0.5 billion (29.1%), and Ammonia, Anhydrous Or In Aqueous Solution, QR
0.3 billion (55%). On the other hand, increases occurred mainly in Ethers and ethers-alcohol by QR 0.2 billion
(39.1%), Acyclic Hydrocarbons, QR 0.1 billion (237.3%), Halogenated Derivatives Of Hydrocarbons, QR 0.1
billion(19.2%).(Table 4).

2. Imports
2.1 Analysis of imports by SITC rev.3 in Q4 2015.
In Q4 2015, the value of Qatar’s imports was QR 31.7 billion, showing a Y-o-Y increase of QR 1.0
billion (3.2%). However, on a Q-o-Q basis the imports increased by QR 3.4 billion (11.8%); (Table 2).

The Q4 2015 Y-o-Y increase in imports was mainly driven by increases in Miscellaneous
Manufactured Articles of QR 1.5 billion (46.2%), Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly By Material, QR 0.2
billion (4.0%), Food and Live Animals, QR 0.2 billion (7.6%), Chemicals and Related Products n.e.s. QR 0.1
billion (5.6%), Crude Materials, Inedible, Except Fuels, QR 0.1 billion (4.2%). On the other hand, decreases
were recorded in Machinery and Transport Equipment by QR 1.1 billion (7.4); (Table 2).

Within Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles main increases were recorded in Miscellaneous

Manufactured Articles, n.e.s. by QR 1.0 billion (108.5%), Articles Of Apparel And Clothing Accessories, QR 0.2
billion (35.2%), and Furniture and parts thereof by QR 0.2 billion (34.4); (Table 5).

Among Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly By Material, a significant increase was registered in
Manufactures Of Metals, n.e.s. by QR 0.2 billion (15.9 %),and Non-metallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s. by
QR 0.2 billion (22.5 %); (Table 5).

Within Food and Live Animals, significant increases were recorded in Vegetables And Fruits by QR
0.1 billion (20.7%) and Live Animals Other Than Live Animals Of Division 03 ,by QR 0.1 billion (29.1%); (Table
5).

Chemicals and Related Products n.e.s, significant increases were registered in Medecinal And
pharmaceutical products by QR 0.1 billion (22.4%) and Essential oils and Perfume materials, toilet, polishing
And cleaning preparations. by QR 0.1 billion (18.9%), while a decrease was recorded in Organic chemicals by
QR 0.2 billion (55.1%); (Table 5).

Within Machinery and transport equipment, decreases were mainly registered Other transport
equipment by QR 1.0 billion (31.4%) and Electrical machinery, apparatus, Appliances, n.e.s. and Electrical
Parts thereof by QR 0.4 billion (20.5%); (Table 5).

7|Page
 Imports of a selected group of construction materials decreased by QR 0.2 billion (6.4%) during Q4
2015 as compared to Q4 2014; however, it remained virtually unchanged when compared to Q3 2015.Year
on year increases were mainly registered in Pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone, of a kind commonly
used for concrete aggregates, for road metalling or for railway or other ballast, shingle and flint, whether or
not heat-treated; macadam of slag, dross or similar industrial waste, whether or not incorporating materials
cited in the first part of the heading; tarred macadam; granules, chippings and powder, of stones of heading
273.12 or 273.13, whether or not heat-treated and Cement clinkers. On the other hand, a significant
decrease was in Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, and tube or pipe fittings, of iron or steel and Other
materials of Iron and Steel; (Table 7).

In Q4 2015, Machinery and transport equipment accounted for 46% of the imports, Manufactured
goods classified chiefly by material, 16%, Miscellaneous manufactured articles, 15%, Food and live animals,
8%, Chemicals and related products, 8%, and the remaining 7% corresponded to other sections of SITC such
as Beverages and tobacco, and Crude materials; (Graph 3).

Graph 3: Composition of the imports by SITC rev.3 (percentage from total), Q4 2015

2.2 Analysis of imports by main sections of the HS 2012 code in Q4 2015.

In Q4 2015, thirty headings (4-digit level) of the HS codes, related to Motor Cars & Other Motor
Vehicles For The Transport Of Persons , Parts Of Balloons Etc.; Parts Of Aircraft, Spacecraft Etc, Electrical
Apparatus For Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts Thereof, Automatic Data Processing
Machines; Self-Propelled Bulldozers, Angle dozers, Graders, Levelers Etc., Swords, Cutlasses, Bayonets,
Lances Etc. & Parts Thereof, Structures n.e.s, & Parts Thereof, Of Iron Or Steel, Motor Vehicles For The
Transport Of Goods, and Medicaments n.e.s, Mixed Or Not, In Dosage Etc., accounted for around 30% of the
imports; (Table 6).

The Q4 2015 Y-o-Y increase in imports reflected increases mainly in Swords, cutlasses, bayonets,
Lances Etc. & parts thereof. by QR 0.6 billion, Tanks & other Armored Fighting Vehicles, Motorized; Parts
Thereof, by QR 0.4 billion, Automatic data processing machines; magnetic readers Etc. computer hardware.,
QR 0.3 billion (37.7%), Self-Propelled bulldozers, angle dozers, Graders, Levelers Etc., QR 0.3 billion, Parts of
balloons Etc.; parts of aircraft, Spacecraft Etc., QR 0.2 billion, Horses, asses, mules And hinnies, Live, QR 0.2
billion, Structures n.e.s, & parts thereof, of iron or steel, QR 0.2 billion. On the other hand, decreases
occurred mainly in Insulated wire, cable (Incl. Coaxial Cable) Etc.; optical fiber cables by QR 0.4 billion
Machinery for sorting, screening, separating Etc. earth, stone, minerals & parts thereof QR 0.2 billion, and
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, QR 0.1 billion; (Table 6).

8|Page
3. Foreign Merchandise Trade by Economic Zones
3.1 Major trading partners in Q4 2015.
In Q4 2015, Asia was the principal destination of Qatar’s exports and the first origin of Qatar’s
imports, representing 72.8% and 32.0% respectively.

Among Asia, Japan was the major destination of the exports with QR 12.2 billion (a share of 19.4% of
Qatar’s total exports), followed by South Korea with QR 9.9 billion (15.8%), and India with QR 7.9 billion
(12.5%). On the other hand, China was the principal origin of the imports with QR 3.6 billion (11.2% of
Qatar’s imports), followed by Japan with QR 2.3 billion (7.3%) and India with QR 1.2 billion (3.6%). The
foreign merchandise trade balance with this economic area amounted to QR 35.5 billion, i.e. 114.5% of the
foreign merchandise trade balance surplus registered in Q4 2015, while the total trade (i.e. exports plus
imports) amounted to QR 55.7 billion; (Table 8).

During this period, exports to Asia were dominated by liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil,
condensates, propane, butane, naphtha, polyethylene, aluminum alloys, urea whether or not in aqueous
solution, vinyl chloride, unwrought aluminum (not alloyed), methanol, and ammonium sulphate. Imports
from Asia comprised principally vehicles, telephones for cellular networks, machinery with a 360 degree
revolving super portal or pedestal jib cranes. portable digital automatic data processing machines, air
conditioning machines, semi-milled or wholly milled rice whether or not polished or glazed, tower cranes on
tires, portal or pedestal jib cranes, and self-propelled front end shovel loaders.

In the second place was the European Union, with 12.9% of Qatar’s exports and 32.4% of Qatar’s
imports.

Within the European Union, the United Kingdom was the major destination in Q4 2015 with exports
of QR 3.3 billion (5.2% of Qatar’s total exports), followed by Italy with QR 1.3 billion (2.1%) and Belgium with
QR 1.0 billion (1.7%). Imports from Germany were at the top of the European countries with QR 3.1 billion
(9.7% of Qatar’s imports), followed by the United Kingdom with QR 2.0 billion (6.4%) and Italy with QR 1.3
billion (4.2%). In Q4 2015, the foreign merchandise trade balance with the European Union showed a deficit
of QR 2.2 billion, while total trade amounted to QR 18.4 billion; (Table 8).

Exports to the European Union were mainly of liquefied natural gas (LNG), polyethylene, jet fuel,
halogenated olefins, crude oil, ether derivatives, helium, methanol, hexanes, and melamine, butane, and
aluminum alloys. Imports from this economic area included principally vehicles, parts of airplanes or
helicopters, medical solutions, parts for turbo jets or turbo propellers, tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, road
tractors for semi-trailers, iron ores & concentrates, parts for industrial or laboratory furnaces and ovens
including incinerators, jewelry of platinum, perfumes, frames of iron or steel, and lorries.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) occupied the third place accounting for 7.4% of Qatar’s
exports and 14.7% of Qatar’s imports.

Among the GCC countries, United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first partner country reporting
exports of QR 3.2 billion (5.1% of Qatar’s total exports) and imports of QR 2.7 billion (8.4% of Qatar’s
imports). Exports to UAE were followed by the exports to Kingdom Saudi Arabia with QR 0.7 billion (1.2%)
and Kuwait, QR 0.4 billion (0.6%). Imports from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with QR 1.3 billion (4.1%) and Oman
with QR 0.3 billion (1.0%) were in second and third place, respectively. The foreign merchandise trade

9|Page
balance with the GCC countries showed a deficit of QR 0.01 billion, i.e. 0.02% of the foreign merchandise
trade balance surplus recorded in Q4 2015, while the total trade was QR 9.3 billion; (Table 8 and Graph 4).

Exports to GCC countries comprised principally natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), natural gas,
condensates, helium, ether derivatives, jet fuel, sheet piling of iron and steel whether or not drilled,
unwrought aluminum not alloyed, bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel, polyethylene, ethylene dibromide
(ISO), natural gasoline, non-alloy pig iron containing by weight 05 % or less of phosphorus, and diesel for
engines. Imports from this region included pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone, coper wire, iron ores &
concentrates, petroleum bitumen, steel scaffoldings props, platforms and fittings, yogurt, electric cables,
non-aerated beverages, natural mineral waters, bars of iron containing indentations, ribs, grooves, or other
deformations during the rolling process, tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, ethylene, vegetable fats and oils
and their fractions, and steel bars.

Graph 4: Merchandise trade balance with GCC countries, Q4 2015

(in million QR)

3.2 Other trading partners in Q4 2015.

In Q4 2015, other surpluses were registered in the foreign merchandise trade balance with Other
Arab countries by QR 1.0 billion (3.0%), and Non-Arab African countries, QR 0.6 billion (1.8%). On the other
hand, other deficits were registered in the merchandise trade balance with the United States of America of
QR 2.8 billion and with Other European countries (not in the European Union) of QR 0.7 billion; (Table 8).

10 | P a g e
 Graphs 5 and 6 present the shares by region of total exports and imports, respectively.
Graph 5: Total exports by economic zones, Q4 2015

Note: totals in Graph 5 may not add 100.0 due to rounding.

Graph 6: Imports by economic zones, Q4 2015

Note: totals in Graph 6 may not add 100.0 due to rounding.

11 | P a g e
 Table 3: Total exports values by selected sections, divisions, and groups of the SITC rev. 3

Q4 Q3 Q4
Code SITC rev. 3 Y-o-Y Q-o-Q
2014* 2015** 2015**
Million QR %
TOTAL EXPORTS 99,606 67,870 62,666 -37.1 -7.7
0 Food and Live Animals 58 36 205 253.4 469.4
1 Beverages and Tobacco 1 1 3 200.0 200.0
2 Crude Materials, Inedible, Except Fuels 448 349 432 -3.6 23.8
27 Crude Fertilizers and Crude Minerals 283 299 261 -7.8 -12.7
Rest sec. 2 Other Crude Materials of Section 2 165 50 171 3.6 242.0
3 Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials 86,833 55,546 50,785 -41.5 -8.6
33 Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Related Materials 19,899 11,959 11,028 -44.6 -7.8
333 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude 15,540 8,963 8,225 -47.1 -8.2
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (other than
crude); preparations, n.e.s., containing by weight 70% or more of 4,353 2,996 2,802 -35.6 -6.5
334
petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils
being the basic constituents of the preparations; waste oils
335 Residual petroleum products, n.e.s., and related materials 6 0 1 -83.3 #DIV/0
34 Gas, Natural and Manufactured 66,934 43,587 39,757 -40.6 !-8.8
342 Liquefied propane and butane, and other gaseous hydrocarbons, n.e.s. 18,824 12,745 11,372 -39.6 -10.8
343 Natural gas, whether or not liquefied 48,110 30,842 28,385 -41.0 -8.0
4 Animal and Vegetable Oils, Fats and Waxes 2 2 2 0.0 0.0
5 Chemicals and Related Products n.e.s. 7,781 8,035 7,344 -5.6 -8.6
51 Organic Chemicals 1,046 1,716 1,445 38.1 -15.8
511 Hydrocarbons, n.e.s., and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or 322 813 548 70.2 -32.6
nitrosated derivatives
Alcohols, phenols, phenol-alcohols, and their halogenated, sulphonated, 216 362 172 -20.4 -52.5
512
nitrated or nitrosated derivatives
Organo-inorganic compounds, heterocyclic compounds, nucleic acids and 59 84 108 83.1 28.6
515
their salts, and sulphonamides
513/4/6 Other organic chemicals 449 457 617 37.4 35.0
52 Inorganic Chemicals 1,105 953 827 -25.2 -13.2
522 Inorganic chemical elements, oxides and halogen salts 1,104 932 826 -25.2 -11.4
Other inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious 1 21 1 0.0 -95.2
523/4/5
metals; Radioactive and associated materials
57 Plastics In Primary Forms 3,917 3,397 3,169 -19.1 -6.7
571 Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms 3,613 3,008 2,853 -21.0 -5.2
573 Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins, in primary 298 363 312 4.7 -14.0
572/4/5/9 forms 6 26 4 -33.3 -84.6
Other plastics, in primary forms; includes Waste, parings and scrap

53/4/5/6/8/9 Other Chemical Materials and Products, including Fertilizers 1,713 1,969 1,903 11.1 -3.4

6 Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly By Material 2,658 1,605 1,874 -29.5 16.8
67 Iron and Steel 850 390 579 -31.9 48.5
673 Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, not clad, plated or coated 0 2 0 #DIV/0 -100.0
Iron and steel bars, rods, angles, shapes and sections (including sheet 665 327 482 !
-27.5 47.4
676
piling)
Rest div. 67 Other manufactured goods of iron and steel 185 61 97 -47.6 59.0
68 Non-Ferrous Metals 1,600 1,132 1,160 -27.5 2.5
Rest sec. 6 Other Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly By Material 208 83 135 -35.1 62.7
7 Machinery and Transport Equipment 1,537 2,065 1,481 -3.6 -28.3
71 Power Generating Machinery and Equipment 261 307 225 -13.8 -26.7
72/3/4/5/6/7 Other Machinery Equipment 417 307 516 23.7 68.1

12 | P a g e
 Table 3: Total exports values by selected sections, divisions, and groups of the SITC rev. …..Contd./…
Q4 Q3 Q4
Code SITC rev. 3 Y-o-Y Q-o-Q
2014* 2015** 2015**
Million QR %
78 Road Vehicles, Vehicles Including Air-Cushion 570 610 639 12.1 4.8
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of
264 210 209 -20.8 -0.5
781 persons (other than motor vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons,
including the driver), including station-wagons and racing cars.
782 Motor vehicles for the transport of goods and special-purpose motor vehicles 254 264 347 36.6 31.4
783/4/ Other road vehicles; parts and accessories of motor vehicles; trailers and other 52 136 83 59.6 -39.0
5/6 vehicles not mechanically-propelled
79 Other Transport Equipment 289 841 101 -65.1 -88.0
8 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 288 231 540 87.5 133.8

9 Commodities and Transactions n.e.s. - - - - -

* Provisional data (Revised).
** Preliminary estimate.

13 | P a g e
 Table 4: Total exports values by selected headings of the Harmonized System code (HS)

Q4 Q3 Q4
Code Selected Group of Products (HS code) Y-o-Y Q-o-Q
2014* 2015** 2015**
Million QR %
TOTAL EXPORTS 99,606 67,870 62,666 -37.1 -7.7
2711 Petroleum Gases And Other Gaseous Hydrocarbons 66,934 43,587 39,757 -40.6 -8.8
2709 Petroleum Oils & Oils From Bituminous Minerals Etc. (Crude) 15,540 8,963 8,225 -47.1 -8.2
3901 Polymers Of Ethylene, In Primary Forms 3,613 3,008 2,853 -21.0 -5.2
2710 Petroleum Oils & Oils From Bituminous Minerals Etc. (Not Crude) 4,353 2,996 2,802 -35.6 -6.5
3102 Mineral Or Chemical Fertilizers, Nitrogenous 1,438 1,689 1,468 2.1 -13.1
7601 Unwrought Aluminum 1,581 1,106 1,121 -29.1 1.4
2909 Ethers, Ether-Alcohols, Ether-Phenols, Ether-Alcohol-Phenols, Alcohol Peroxides, Ether 442 437 615 39.1 40.7
2804 Peroxides,
Hydrogen,Ketone Peroxides
Rare Gases (Whether
And Other Or Not Chemically Defined), And Their
Nonmetals 417 463 446 7.0 -3.7
2903 Halogenated,Sulphonated,
Halogenated Derivatives OfNitrated Or Nitrosated Derivatives.
Hydrocarbons 271 500 323 19.2 -35.4

3904 Polymers Of Vinyl Chloride Or Of Other Halogenated Olefins, In Primary Forms 298 363 312 4.7 -14.0

2814 Ammonia, Anhydrous Or In Aqueous Solution 616 378 277 -55.0 -26.7
7214 Bars & Rods Of Iron Or No alloy Steel Nes, Not Further Worked Than Forged, Hot-Rolled, - 463 124 260 -43.8 109.7
2503 Drawn, -Extruded
Sulfur Of All Kinds, Other Than Sublimed, Precipitated Or Colloidal Sulfur 276 298 258 -6.5 -13.4
3817 Mixed Alkyl benzenes & Mixed Alkyl naphthalene Nes. 171 144 215 25.7 49.3
7301 Sheet Piling, Welded Angles, Shapes Etc., Of Iron Or Steel 167 190 204 22.2 7.4
2901 Acyclic Hydrocarbons 51 190 172 237.3 -9.5
2905 Acyclic Alcohols And Their Halogenated, Sulfonated, Nitrated Or Nitro sated Derivatives 216 363 172 -20.4 -52.6
2933 Heterocyclic Compounds With Nitrogen Hetero-Atom; Nucleic Acids & Their Salts 59 84 104 76.3 23.8
7204 Ferrous Waste & Scrap; Remelting Scrap Ingots Of Iron Or Steel 106 0 102 -3.8 #DIV/0!

2815 Sodium Hydroxide; Potassium Hydroxide; Sodium Or Potassium Peroxides 71 91 102 43.7 12.1
7206 Iron & Non alloy Steel In Ingots Or Other Primary Forms Nes. 71 0 69 -2.8 -
8481 Taps, Cocks, Valves Etc. For Pipes, Boiler, Tanks Etc. & Parts Thereof 44 61 57 29.5 -6.6
2902 Cyclic Hydrocarbons 0 123 52 #DIV/0! -57.7
8544 Insulated Wire, Cable (Incl. Coaxial Cable) Etc.; Optical Fiber Cables 11 16 44 300.0 175.0
3917 Tubes, Pipes & Hoses And Fittings Therefor Of Plastics 10 18 31 210.0 72.2
Other Commodities*** 2,387 2,678 2,625 10.0 -2.0
* Provisional data (Revised).
** Preliminary estimate.
*** Includes Re-exports.

14 | P a g e
 Table 5: Imports values by sections and divisions of SITC rev. 3

Q4 Q3 Q4
Code SITC rev. 3 Y-o-Y Q-o-Q
2014* 2015** 2015**
Million QR %
IMPORTS 30,717 28,344 31,697 3.2 11.8
0 Food and Live Animals 2,526 2,247 2,719 7.6 21.0
00 Live Animals other Than Live Animals of Division 03 289 109 373 29.1 242.2
01 Meat and Meat Preparations 442 459 458 3.6 -0.2
02 Dairy Products and Birds, Eggs 356 342 386 8.4 12.9
Fish (Not Marine Mammals) Crustaceans, Mollusks, Aquatic Invertebrates & 78 86 93 19.2 8.1
03
Preparations
04 Cereals & Cereal Preparations 437 315 363 -16.9 15.2
05 Vegetables and Fruits 484 520 584 20.7 12.3
06 Sugar, Sugar Preparations and Honey 67 74 53 -20.9 -28.4
07 Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, Spices and Manufactures Thereof 147 149 168 14.3 12.8
08 Feeding Stuff For Animals (Not Including Unmilled Cereals) 59 36 60 1.7 66.7
09 Miscellaneous Edible Products and Preparations 167 157 181 8.4 15.3
1 Beverages and Tobacco 223 296 268 20.2 -9.5
11 Beverages 149 226 170 14.1 -24.8
12 Tobacco & Tobacco Manufactures 74 70 98 32.4 40.0
2 Crude Materials, Inedible, Except Fuels 1,407 1,418 1,466 4.2 3.4
23 Crude Rubber (Including Synthetic and Reclaimed) 12 7 7 -41.7 0.0
24 Cork and Wood 78 79 87 11.5 10.1
27 Crude Fertilizers, other Than Those of Division 56 , and Crude Minerals 488 523 568 16.4 8.6
28 Metalliferous Ores and Metal Scrap 763 762 739 -3.1 -3.0
Rest sec. 2 Other Crude Materials of Section 2 66 47 65 -1.5 38.3
3 Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials 339 430 328 -3.2 -23.7
32 Coal, Coke and Briquettes 33 18 22 -33.3 22.2
33 Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Related Materials 305 411 305 0.0 -25.8
34 Gas, Natural and Manufactured 1 1 1 0.0 0.0
4 Animal and Vegetable Oils, Fats and Waxes 80 90 89 11.3 -1.1
5 Chemicals and Related Products n.e.s. 2,316 2,225 2,446 5.6 9.9
51 Organic Chemicals 301 141 135 -55.1 -4.3
52 Inorganic Chemicals 136 126 130 -4.4 3.2
53 Dyeing, Tanning and Coloring Materials 161 132 162 0.6 22.7
54 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Products 434 454 531 22.4 17.0
55 Essential Oils and Perfume Materials, Toilet, Polishing and Cleaning Preparations 403 503 479 18.9 -4.8
56 Fertilizers (other Than Those of Group 272000) 3 3 3 0.0 0.0
57 Plastics In Primary Forms 181 227 223 23.2 -1.8
58 Plastics In Non-Primary Forms 271 298 303 11.8 1.7
59 Chemical Materials and Products, n.e.s. 426 341 480 12.7 40.8
6 Manufactured Goods Classified Chiefly By Material 4,816 4,888 5,009 4.0 2.5
61 Leather, Leather Manufactures n.e.s. and Dressed Fur skins 5 4 3 -40.0 -25.0
62 Rubber Manufactures, n.e.s. 274 278 319 16.4 14.7
63 Cork and Wood Manufactures (Excluding Furniture) 168 247 216 28.6 -12.6
64 Paper, Paperboard and Articles of Paper Pulp, of Paper or of Paperboard 202 189 205 1.5 8.5
65 Textile Yarn, Fabrics, Made-Up Articles, n.e.s., and Related Products 268 245 323 20.5 31.8
66 Non-Metallic Mineral Manufactures, n.e.s. 752 816 921 22.5 12.9
67 Iron and Steel 1,663 1,422 1,247 -25.0 -12.3
68 Non-Ferrous Metals 394 547 512 29.9 -6.4
69 Manufactures of Metals, n.e.s.

15 | P a g e
 Table 5: Imports values by sections and divisions of SITC rev. 3…..Contd./…
Q4 Q3 Q4
Code SITC rev. 3 Y-o-Y Q-o-Q
2014* 2015** 2015**
Million QR %
7 Machinery and Transport Equipment 15,605 12,928 14,456 -7.4 11.8
71 Power Generating Machinery and Equipment 828 749 724 -12.6 -3.3
72 Machinery Specialized For Particular Industries 1,344 1,341 1,404 4.5 4.7
73 Metal Working Machinery 78 70 86 10.3 22.9
74 General Industrial Machinery and Equipment n.e.s. and Machine Parts n.e.s. 2,164 2,510 1,988 -8.1 -20.8
75 Office Machines and Automatic Data Processing Machines 573 477 815 42.2 70.9
Telecommunications and Sound Recording and Reproducing Apparatus and 951 874 1,013 6.5 15.9
76
Equipment
77 Electrical Machinery, Apparatus, Appliances, n.e.s. and Electrical Parts Thereof 2,131 1,729 1,694 -20.5 -2.0
78 Road Vehicles, Vehicles Including Air-Cushion 4,262 3,681 4,487 5.3 21.9
79 Other Transport Equipment 3,274 1,497 2,245 -31.4 50.0
8 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 3,198 3,561 4,677 46.2 31.3
81 Prefabricated Buildings, Sanitary, Plumbing, Heating & Lighting Fixtures & Fittings 299 265 331 10.7 24.9
82 Furniture and Parts Thereof 450 546 605 34.4 10.8
83 Travel Goods, Handbags and Similar Containers 120 162 141 17.5 -13.0
84 Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories 483 650 653 35.2 0.5
85 Footwear 130 190 159 22.3 -16.3
87 Professional, Scientific and Controlling Instruments and Apparatus, n.e.s. 479 402 482 0.6 19.9
88 Photographic Apparatus, Equipment and Supplies and Optical Goods, n.e.s. 299 323 350 17.1 8.4
89 Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles, n.e.s. 938 1,023 1,956 108.5 91.2
9 Commodities and Transactions n.e.s.
* Provisional data (Revised).
** Preliminary estimate.

16 | P a g e
 Table 6: Imports values by selected headings of the Harmonized System code (HS)

Q4 Q3 Q4
Code Selected Group of Products (HS code) Y-o-Y Q-o-Q
2014* 2015** 2015**
Million QR %
IMPORTS 30,717 28,344 31,697 3.2 11.8
8703 Motor Cars & Other Motor Vehicles For The Transport Of Persons 2,931 2,397 3,063 4.5 27.8
8803 Parts Of Balloons Etc.; Parts Of Aircraft, Spacecraft Etc. 1,906 1,422 2,109 10.7 48.3
8517 Electrical Apparatus For Line Telephony/Telegraphy, Telephone Sets Etc.; Parts 816 711 861 5.5 21.1
Thereof
8471 Automatic Data Processing Machines; Magnetic Readers Etc. Computer Hardware 384 343 667 73.7 94.5
8429 Self-Propelled Bulldozers, Angle dozers, Graders, Levelers Etc. 392 644 656 67.3 1.9
9307 Swords, Cutlasses, Bayonets, Lances Etc. & Parts Thereof 37 107 644 1640.5 501.9
7308 Structures Nes, & Parts Thereof, Of Iron Or Steel 335 406 487 45.4 20.0
8704 Motor Vehicles For The Transport Of Goods 601 421 476 -20.8 13.1
3004 Medicaments Nes, Mixed Or Not, In Dosage Etc. Form 354 365 424 19.8 16.2
2517 Pebbles, Gravel, Broken Or Crushed Stone; Macadam Of Slag, Dross Etc. 362 384 420 16.0 9.4
8544 Insulated Wire, Cable (Incl. Coaxial Cable) Etc.; Optical Fiber Cables 841 499 412 -51.0 -17.4
8411 Turbojets, Turbopropellers & Other Gas Turbines; Parts Thereof 508 441 399 -21.5 -9.5
2601 Iron Ores & Concentrates, Incl. Roasted Iron Pyrites 437 419 398 -8.9 -5.0
8710 Tanks & Other Armored Fighting Vehicles, Motorized; Parts Thereof 1 50 371 37000.0 642.0
7303 Tubes, Pipes & Hollow Profiles, Of Cast Iron 425 435 352 -17.2 -19.1
7408 Copper Wire 209 321 334 59.8 4.0
2818 Artificial Corundum & Other Aluminum Oxide; Aluminum Hydroxide 307 334 332 8.1 -0.6
8481 Taps, Cocks, Valves Etc. For Pipes, Boiler, Tanks Etc. & Parts Thereof 382 282 331 -13.4 17.4
8431 Parts For Use With The Machinery Of Headings 8425-30 318 295 316 -0.6 7.1
9403 Furniture Nes, And Parts Thereof 291 316 311 6.9 -1.6
7113 Articles Of Jewelry & Parts Thereof, Of Precious Metal Or Of Metal Clad 279 240 280 0.4 16.7
8415 Air Conditioning Machines (For Temperature & Humidity Change) & Parts Thereof 209 309 264 26.3 -14.6
9401 Seats (Excl. Those Of Heading 9402: Barbers', Dentists' Etc. Chairs); Parts Thereof 115 187 247 114.8 32.1

8537 Boards, Panels, Consoles Etc. With 2 Or More Electr. Apparatus For Switching Etc. 208 241 232 11.5 -3.7
7108 Gold (Incl. Gold Plated With Platinum) Unwrought Or In Semimnfr Or In Powder 201 254 229 13.9 -9.8
9405 Form
Lamps & Lighting Fittings Nes, & Parts Thereof Etc. 198 178 221 11.6 24.2
0207 Meat And Edible Offal Of Poultry , Fresh , Chilled Or Frozen 222 226 214 -3.6 -5.3
8426 Derricks; Cranes; Mobile Lifting Frames Etc. 251 548 210 -16.3 -61.7

0101 Horses, Asses, Mules And Hinnies, Live 16 2 207 1193.8 10250.0
8702 Motor Vehicles For The Transport Of 10 Or More Persons (Incl. Driver) 177 302 207 16.9 -31.5
8504 Electrical Transformers, Static Converters & Inductors, Parts Thereof 298 239 202 -32.2 -15.5
4011 New Pneumatic Tires, Of Rubber 162 163 193 19.1 18.4

6802 Worked Monumental Or Building Stone & Articles Thereof; Mosaic Cubes Etc.; 159 191 190 19.5 -0.5
8474 Granules,
MachineryChippings Etc.Screening, Separating Etc. Earth, Stone, Minerals & Parts
For Sorting, 374 162 179 -52.1 10.5
Thereof
8413 Pumps For Liquids; Liquid Elevators; Parts Thereof 211 188 176 -16.6 -6.4
8502 Electric Generating Sets And Rotary Converters 160 141 171 6.9 21.3
7307 Tube Or Pipe Fittings, Of Iron Or Steel 148 132 171 15.5 29.5
9018 Medical, Surgical, Dental Etc. Instruments/Appliances; Electro-Diagnostic Apparatus; 134 171 161 20.1 -5.8
Parts & Accessories Thereof
0106 Animals, Live, Not Elsewhere Specified. 191 82 160 -16.2 95.1

Other Commodities 15,167 13,796 14,420 -4.9 4.5

* Provisional data (Revised).
** Preliminary estimate.

17 | P a g e
 Table 7: Imports values of selected construction materials by SITC rev. 3

Q4 Q3 Q4
Code SITC rev. 3 Y-o-Y Q-o-Q
2014* 2015** 2015**
Million QR %
Imports of Selected Construction Materials 2,804 2,653 2,624 -6.4 -1.1
273 Stone, sand and gravel 389 415 456 17.2 9.9

- Pebbles, gravel, broken or crushed stone, of a kind commonly used for concrete
362 384 420 16.0 9.4
2734 aggregates, for road metalling or for railway or other ballast, shingle and flint,
whether or not heat-treated; macadam of slag, dross or similar industrial waste

2731/2/3 - Other Stone, sand, and gravel 27 31 36 33.3 16.1

66 Non-metallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s. 752 816 921 22.5 12.9
661 - Lime, cement, and fabricated construction materials (except glass and clay materials) 305 371 442 44.9 19.1
- Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime (other than calcium oxide and hydroxide 0 1 1 - 0.0
6611
of subgroup 522.6)
- Portland cement, aluminous cement, slag cement, super sulphate cement and 21 73 126 500.0 72.6
6612
similar hydraulic cements, whether or not colored or in the form of clinkers.
66121 - Cement clinkers 4 43 103 2475. 139.5
66122 - Portland cement 14 28 22 0
57.1 -21.4
66123/9 - Other cements 3 2 1 -66.7 -50.0
6613 - Monumental or building stone, worked, and articles thereof 220 235 238 8.2 1.3
- Marble, travertine and alabaster and articles thereof, simply cut or sawn, with a 66 90 72 9.1 -20.0
66134
flat or even surface.
66131/2/ 154 145 166 7.8 14.5
- Other monumental or building stone and articles thereof
3/5/6/9
- Construction materials of asbestos-cement and fiber-cement and of unfired non- 64 62 77 20.3 24.2
6618
metallic minerals, n.e.s.
- Articles of asphalt or of similar material (e.g., petroleum bitumen or coal tar 49 52 64 30.6 23.1
66181
pitch)
- Panels, boards, tiles, blocks and similar articles of vegetable fiber, of straw or of
8 3 7 -12.5 133.3
66182 shavings, chips, particles, sawdust or other waste, of wood, agglomerated with
cement, plaster or other mineral binders
66183 - Articles of asbestos-cement, of cellulose fiber-cement or the like 7 7 6 -14.3 -14.3
662 - Clay construction materials and refractory construction materials 167 174 195 16.8 12.1
6623 - Refractory bricks and other refractory construction materials 34 20 38 11.8 90.0
- Bricks, blocks, tiles and other ceramic goods, of siliceous fossil meals (e.g., 1 1 3 200.0 200.0
66231
kieselguhr, tripolite or diatomite) or of similar siliceous earths
- Refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods 13 9 22 69.2 144.4
66232
(other than goods of heading 662.31)
66233 - Refractory cements, mortars, concretes and similar compositions, n.e.s. 20 10 13 -35.0 30.0

6624 - Non-refractory ceramic bricks, tiles, pipes and similar products 133 154 157 18.0 1.9
663 - Mineral manufactures, n.e.s. 104 98 114 9.6 16.3
664 - Glass 100 108 103 3.0 -4.6
665 - Glassware 32 34 37 15.6 8.8
666 - Pottery 41 30 29 -29.3 -3.3
667 - Pearls and precious or semiprecious stones, unworked or worked 2 2 0 -100.0 -100.0
67 Iron and steel 1,663 1,422 1,247 -25.0 -12.3
676 - Iron and steel bars, rods, angles, shapes and sections (including sheet piling) 262 326 253 -3.4 -22.4
679 - Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, and tube or pipe fittings, of iron or steel 901 842 741 -17.8 -12.0
371/2/3/4 500 254 253 -49.4 -0.4
- Other materials of Iron and Steel
/5/7/8
* Provisional data (Revised).
** Preliminary estimate.

18 | P a g e
 Table 8: Foreign merchandise trade statistics by economic zones and selected countries, Q4 2015

Economic zones and selected Q4 2015**

countries Total Exports* (1) Imports (2) Trade Balance (1)-(2) Total Trade (1)+(2)
Million share Million share Million share Million share
QR (%) QR (%) QR (%) QR (%)
Total 62,666 31,697 30,969 94,363
GCC 4,646 7.4 4,652 14.7 -6 0.0 9,298 9.9
United Arab Emirates 3,207 5.1 2,660 8.4 547 1.8 5,867 6.2
Saudi Arabia 722 1.2 1,299 4.1 -577 -1.9 2,021 2.1
Oman 196 0.3 332 1.0 -136 -0.4 528 0.6
Kuwait 379 0.6 129 0.4 250 0.8 508 0.5
Bahrain 142 0.2 232 0.7 -90 -0.3 374 0.4
Other Arab Countries 1,540 2.5 623 2.0 917 3.0 2,163 2.3
Asia 45,596 72.8 10,144 32.0 35,452 114.5 55,740 59.1
Japan 12,165 19.4 2,303 7.3 9,862 31.8 14,468 15.3
South Korea 9,870 15.8 660 2.1 9,210 29.7 10,530 11.2
China 5,573 8.9 3,565 11.2 2,008 6.5 9,138 9.7
India 7,857 12.5 1,154 3.6 6,703 21.6 9,011 9.5
Singapore 2,912 4.6 137 0.4 2,775 9.0 3,049 3.2
Others 7,219 11.5 2,325 7.3 4,894 15.8 9,544 10.1
European Union 8,104 12.9 10,277 32.4 -2,173 -7.0 18,381 19.5
United Kingdom 3,250 5.2 2,015 6.4 1,235 4.0 5,265 5.6
Germany 271 0.4 3,084 9.7 -2,813 -9.1 3,355 3.6
Italy 1,291 2.1 1,320 4.2 -29 -0.1 2,611 2.8
France 436 0.7 1,140 3.6 -704 -2.3 1,576 1.7
Belgium 1,049 1.7 401 1.3 648 2.1 1,450 1.5
Others 1,807 2.9 2,317 7.3 -510 -1.6 4,124 4.4
Other European Countries 283 0.5 968 3.1 -685 -2.2 1,251 1.3
USA 580 0.9 3,416 10.8 -2,836 -9.2 3,996 4.2
Other American Countries 837 1.3 904 2.9 -67 -0.2 1,741 1.8
Africa-Except Arab Countries 703 1.1 139 0.4 564 1.8 842 0.9
Oceania 377 0.6 574 1.8 -197 -0.6 951 1.0
* Total exports include exports of domestic goods and re-exports.
** Preliminary estimate.

19 | P a g e
Technical Notes
1. Qatar’s foreign merchandise trade statistics refer to goods which add to or subtract from the stock of
Qatar's material resources as a result of their movement in and out Qatar. Goods simply transported
through Qatar (goods in transit), and goods entering or leaving Qatar on a temporary basis do not add to
or subtract from Qatar’s stock of material resources and, therefore, are not included in Qatar’s foreign
merchandise trade.

2. For imports and re-exports, the source is the Customs Department of the Ministry of Finance, State of
Qatar. Therefore, imports and re-exports include only goods that have been cleared through the
Customs. For exports of domestic goods, the exporting companies are the main source (enterprises
reporting-based data).

3. Imports are recorded at their cost, insurance, and freight (c.i.f.) values, while exports of domestic goods
and re-exports at their free on board (f.o.b.) values.

4. The relevant criterion used to designate trading partner countries for exports is the country of last
known destination, while that for imports is the country of origin.

5. Goods are classified according to the GCC Common External Customs Tariff 2012 (GCC Tariff 2012),
which is an extended version of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System of 2012
(Harmonized System 2012 or HS2012) issued by the World Customs Organization (WCO). For analytical
purposes, this report presents the results also by the Standard International Trade Classification revision
3 (SITC rev. 3) which is a classification based on the nature of the merchandise and the materials used in
its production.

6. The foreign merchandise trade statistics are continuously revised in light of the most recent information
received up to the publication of the Quarterly Bulletin. Consequently, users are notified that exports,
re-exports and imports figures published in the Foreign Merchandise Trade Query System (FTQS) may be
slightly different from the figures in this bulletin.

20 | P a g e
Concepts
Foreign Merchandise Trade Balance: Represents the difference between total exports and imports.
Total Trade: Represents the addition of total exports and imports.
Imports: Imports are goods which add to the stock of material resources in Qatar, as a result of their
movement into the country. Comprise all imported goods to the country for domestic consumption which
are cleared through customs formalities, whether dutiable or exempted.
Total Exports: Encompass exports of domestic goods and re-exports.
Exports of domestic goods: Exports of domestic goods are goods which subtract from the stock of material
resources in Qatar, as a result of their movement out of the country. These goods have been produced or
manufactured, completely or partially, in Qatar.
Re-exports: Re-exports are goods originally imported, cleared through customs formalities, and then re-
exported without undergoing any transformation leading to change in shape or value. Re-exports are not
considered to be Qatari production or manufacture.
Partner Country: Imports are broken down by country of origin, i.e. the place from which merchandises have
been produced or manufactured according to the established criteria to apply the customs tariffs, quantity
restrictions or any other trade related measure, and exports by country of last known destination, i.e. the
place declared at the moment of shipment as the country where finally merchandises will be delivered.
F.O.B.: Free on board type values include the transaction value of the goods and the value of services
performed to deliver goods to the border of the exporting country.
C.I.F.: Cost, insurance, and freight type values include the f.o.b. value plus the freight and insurance to
deliver the merchandise from the port or loading place to the port or place of arrival in Qatar.
Harmonized System (HS): It is an international nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization,
which is arranged in six-digit codes allowing all participating countries to classify traded goods on a common
basis. Beyond the six-digit level, countries are free to introduce national distinctions for tariffs and many
other purposes.
Unified Customs Tariff Code for the GCC countries: It is the adapted version of the Harmonized System for
the GCC countries. It adds to the HS nomenclature two digits to form an 8-digit code classification.
Standard International Trade Classification (SITC): It is a product classification of the United Nations (UN)
based on the nature of the merchandise and the materials used in its production, and used for external trade
statistics allowing for international comparisons of commodities and manufactured goods.
Year on year percentage change (Y-o-Y): Compares the values of a time period against the values of the
same period in the previous year; in this bulletin, Y-o-Y percentage change compares Q4 2015 against Q4
2014.
Quarter on quarter percentage change (Q-o-Q): Compares the values of a time period against the values of
the immediate previous quarter; in this bulletin, Q-o-Q percentage change compares Q4 2015 against Q3
2015.

21 | P a g e
Economic Zones
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and United Arab
Emirates.
Other Arab countries: Algeria, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania,
Morocco, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Asia: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Darussalam,
Democratic Republic of Korea, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South
Korea, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.
European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom (including Gibraltar).
Other European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Macedonia, Moldova, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, and Ukraine.
USA: United States of America.
Other American countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Cuba, Dominican, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay,
Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Africa except Arab countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia,
Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Chad, Senegal,
Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Seychelles, and Tonga.

***

22 | P a g e