Qatar Statistics Authority releases preliminary estimates of Gross Domestic Product for Q3

Nominal GDP Estimates [GDP at Current Prices
The quarterly GDP in the Q3 of 2012 at current prices is estimated at QR175.29bn. This represents an increase of 5.9% compared to the estimate of Q3 of 2011 placed at QR165.57bn. When compared to previous quarter [Q2 of 2012] revised estimate of QR173.07bn, the increase is 1.3%.

On a cumulative basis, the GDP in the January-September of 2012 is estimated at QR523.74bn which shows an increase of 13.5% compared to the estimate of January-September, 2011 placed at QR461.58bn.

'Mining and Quarrying Sector': The Gross Value Added (GVA) estimate of this sector in the Q3, 2012 is QR96.82bn, which shows a decline of 0.9% over the estimate of Q3, 2011 placed at QR97.74bn. The slowdown in this quarter is primarily due to the shutdown in some LNG trains for necessary maintenance.

'Non-Mining and Quarrying Sectors': The GVA of these sectors in the Q3, 2012 has been estimated at QR78.47bn Qatari Riyal, which shows an increase of 15.7% over the estimate of Q3, 2011 placed at QR67.84bn. Details of the sectoral level preliminary GVA estimates of Q3, 2012 over the Q3, 2011 are available in the Table-1, attached to the Press Release.

In the 'non-mining and quarrying' Sector, an analysis by industry group, comparing the performance in Q3 of 2012 with the corresponding quarter in 2011 [Year-on-Year Basis] and with the second quarter (Q2) of 2012 is given in the following paragraphs. Readers are cautioned to keep the seasonality factor in view, while comparing the estimates with the previous quarter of 2012.

The GVA of 'Manufacturing' sector is estimated at QR19.47bn in Q3 of 2012 showing rise of 19.9% over the corresponding quarter (Q3) of 2011 [QR16.24bn]. Compared to the previous quarter (Q2 of 2012), there has been a marginal increase of 0.3% in the GVA of this sector. The positive growth rate in this sector has resulted from the higher production reported in Petrochemicals, Fertilizer, Aluminium and Gas to liquids (GTL) products.

The GVA of the 'Construction' sector at QR6.76bn Qatari Riyal in Q3 of 2012 shows a rise of 15.4% when compared to the estimate of QR5.86bn recorded in corresponding quarter (Q3) of 2011. However, compared to Q2, 2012 estimate, the drop of 5.3% seems to be purely a seasonal phenomenon.

The GVA of the 'Trade, Hotel and Restaurants' sector is estimated at QR10.16bn in Q3 of 2012 showing an increase of 13.4% over the corresponding quarter estimate of 2011 [QR8.96bn in Q3 of 2011]. Compared to the previous quarter (Q2 of 2012), there has been an increase of 1.3% in the GVA estimate of this sector.

The 'Transport and Communication' sector has generated a value added of QR6.46bn in Q3, 2012 against QR5.92bn Qatari Riyal in Q3, 2011 showing a rise of 9%. Compared to the previous quarter, Q2 of 2012, an increase of 2.8% has been noticed in this group.

For 'Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Business Services', the GVA is estimated at QR19.48bn in Q3 of 2012, showing an increase of 6.2% when compared to the corresponding quarter (Q3) estimate of QR18.34bn in 2011. Compared to the previous quarter, Q2 of 2012, an increase of 9.1% has been recorded in this group.

The contribution of the 'Government Services' which includes the provision of public health, education and other miscellaneous services is estimated at QR15.26bn in Q3 of 2012, which is 28% higher than the estimate [QR11.92bn] of Q3 of 2011.

Real GDP Estimates [GDP at Constant (2004) Prices]
The quarterly GDP in the Q3 of 2012, at constant prices is estimated at QR87.04bn Qatari Riyal which shows an increase of 3.9% compared to the estimate of Q3, 2011 placed at 83.75 bn. However, compared to the previous quarter [Q2 of 2012] estimate of QR85.57bn, there has been an increase of 1.7%.

On a cumulative basis, the Real GDP in the January-September of 2012 is estimated at QR255.44bn which shows an increase of 5.8% when compared to the estimate of January-September, 2011 at QR241.40bn.

'Mining and Quarrying Sector': The constant price GVA of this sector in Q3, 2012 has been estimated at QR37.07bn, which shows a decline of 0.8% over the estimate of Q3, 2011 placed at QR37.37bn. When compared to Q2, 2012, the estimate shows a marginal growth of 0.6%.

'Non-Mining and Quarrying Sectors': The GVA of these sectors in Q3, 2012 is estimated at QR49.97bn, which shows an increase of 7.7% over the estimate of Q3, 2011 placed at QR46.38bn. Details of the sectoral level preliminary GVA estimates in Q3, 2012 over the previous quarter in 2011 are available in the Table-2 of the Press Release.

The GVA of 'Manufacturing' sector is estimated at QR8.58bn Qatari Riyal in Q3, 2012 showing an increase of 13.6% over the estimate of corresponding quarter (Q3) of 2011 [QR7.56bn]. Compared to the previous quarter (Q2 of 2012), the increase of 4.7% has been seen in the GVA estimate of this sector.

The GVA of the "Construction" sector at QR8.71bn in Q3 of 2012 has recorded an increase of 9.4% when compared to the estimate of QR7.96bn in Q3 of 2011.

The GVA of the 'Trade, Hotel and Restaurants' sector is estimated at QR6.78bn in Q3 of 2012 registering an increase of 8.1% over the Q3 2011 estimate of QR6.28bn in Q3 of 2011. Compared with the previous quarter (Q2 of 2012), there has been a marginal increase of 0.5%.

The 'Transport and Communication' sector has generated a value added of QR6.24bn in Q3, 2012 as against the estimate of QR5.70bn posted in Q3, 2011, showing a rise of 9.4%. Compared to the previous quarter (Q2 of 2011) the GVA estimate is up by 1%.

For 'Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Business Services', the GVA is estimated at QR9.84bn in Q3 of 2012, showing an increase of 4.7% when compared to the corresponding quarter (Q3) estimate of QR9.40bn in 2011. Compared to the previous quarter, Q2 of 2011, the GVA of this group shows a rise of 1.2%.

The contribution of the 'Government Services' is estimated at QR9.10bn in Q3 of 2012, which shows a rise of 2.7% compared to the estimate of Q3 of 2011.