Qatar trade balance registers QR18.2bn in February

Qatar's trade balance registered a surplus of QR18.2 billion in February 2015, down QR16.5 billion or 47.5% compared to the same month last year.
Trade balance was up 0.3%, or QR0.05 billion compared to January 2015, according to data released Saturday by Ministry of Development, Planning and Statistics.
Exports were worth QR27.5 billion, down 36% year-on-year and down 1.3% on a monthly basis. Imports meanwhile were up 12.2% to QR9.3 billion in February, down 4.3% compared to the previous month.
The value of Hydrocarbon exports were registered at QR17.6 billion, down 41.5% year-on-year.
Japan was the top trading partner for February with a volume worth QR7.7 billion or 28% of the total. It was followed by South Korea and India who represented 15.7% and 9.6% respectively.
The import of cars was up 33.6% to QR800 million in February.