Asian countries except Arab countries come first in the scale of commercial partners of Qatar. Exports from Qatar to this group during 2004 valued QR 54.171,116 billion against only QR 3.056,301 billion to the GCC countries, with UAE acquiring QR 1.973,976 billion of this balance thus coming top of the category, followed by Saudi Arabia with QR 706.166 million, Bahrain with QR 110.487 million and Kuwait with QR 183.072 million.

Exports to the other Arab countries valued QR 554,781 billion, broken as follows: to Egypt QR 82.667 million and to Jordan QR 39.434,000 million. Oil and mineral fuel top the export commodity structure , followed by chemicals with and manufactured goods.

11.1 Export

in 2007 the Qatari export value reached 151.025,245 billion QR according to the Annual Statistical Abstract - 2007. Asia is the main market for the Qatari exports, where Japan besides China and India buy most of Qatar's exports of crude oil, which continues alongside with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to dominate the Qatari structure of exports at present. Oil and gas-related industries export their products to various countries. For instance, Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) sells petrochemicals to the GCC countries besides India, Pakistan and Australia; the products of Qatar Fertilizer Company (QAFCO) go to India and China and the products of Qatar Steel Company (QASCO) are sold mainly to the other GCC member states.

11.2 Import

The value of the Qatari imports reached QR 80.097,038 Billion in 2007. The European Community comes top of the list with 34.8% of the value of Qatar's imports. Non-Arab Asian countries come second with 28.7%, followed by the Arab countries share represented 16.7% in third place while the American countries group with 14.9% of the total value. Goods associated with the capitals of major LNG-related projects are dominating the imports structure. Other key imports include vehicles, foodstuff, luxury items, electronics and a host of manufactured goods that are required to meet the increasing size of the population and industrial base. Necessary commodities required for the development of the infrastructure, as well as foodstuff and personal effects are exempt from custom duties. A minimal tariff of only 5% is levied on most other goods, and a protection tax duty of up to 20% is charged for the products that compete against similar, locally produced goods such as imported steel and cement. Other charges include 30% for urea, 50% for tobacco and 15% for discs and musical instruments, while the goods manufactured in the GCC country are except from customs duty.

11.3 Trade Balance

The estimates of the current account balance for 2004 indicated: $5.187 billion. The reason for the drop of $ 6.15 billion (FOB) in the commodity imports account, like machinery and transport equipment, is attributed to the decline in oil exports and the increase of import payments.

11.4 Major Trade Partners

Japan came on top of Qatar's trade partners in 2004 to which Qatar imports an estimated value of 28.312.000 riyals, followed by South Korea ,on the second place, to which Qatar imports an estimated value of 10.676.000 riyals , Singapore to which Qatar imports an estimated value of 6.586.000 riyals and India, on the fourth place, to which Qatar imports an estimated value of 3.654.000 riyals. (Source: english.mofa.gov.qa)