Pakistan and Qatar , both are brotherly Islamic countries , heave deep rooted, time tested strong relations and cemented ties based on mutual respect, cooperation and understanding.
Qatar is a country located is Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar peninsula on the northern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with neighbouring Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its territory is surrounded the Persian Gulf. Islam is the official religion of Qatar. The country has the highest per capita in the world. It is classifid by the UN as a country of high human d3evelopment and is widely regarded as the most advanced human development. Qatar is one of the world’s largest natural gas and oil reserves.
In the 21st century, Qatar emerged as a significant power in the Arab world both through its natural resources and its global expanding media group. Qatar is identified as middle power, large moderate influence and international recognition. According to Qatar constitution, sharia law is the main source of legislation. Qatar is an early member of OPEC and a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) . It is also a member of Arab League and OIC. Qatar enjoys good relations with both the world powers China and United States of America.
Qatar has 4th largest GDP of the world, according to the International Monetary Fund. It relies heavily on foreign lanours to grow its economy. Migrant workers comprise 86% of the population and 94% of work force. The economic growth is based on its petroleum and natural gas industries. It is the largest Liquefied Natural Gas (NLG) exporter of the world. In 2012 it planned to invest US$ 120 billion in the energy sector for the next ten years. In 2012 it retained its title as the richest country in the world in terms of per capita income. It is still the 2nd richest country in term of per capita income. Qatar has 15 billion barrels of gas fields that accounts for more than 13% of the global reserves. It is interesting to note that none of its 2 million people live below the poverty line.
Petroleum and natural gas is the cornerstone of its economy and accounts for more than 70% of the government revenue, 60 % of the GDP and about 80% export earnings. Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesajeed Industrial Area are key centers of energy. Industries Qatar a producer of Petrochemicals, fertilizers steel is a regional power house.
Islamic Finance and banking has a great demand in Qatar and is expanding significantly. It is preparing to host world cup football tournament in 2022.
Qatar is utilizing its hi tech logistics capability and world class facilities such as Hamad Port and Hamad International Airport to bolster trade. The new Hamad port accounts 27 % of the regional trade volume in the middle east with an annual capacity of 7.5 million cargo containers. Hamad Airport is the biggest airport is the region which links Qatar to more than 150 destinations. QATAR AIRWAYS is one of the best airways of the world.
Economy
Population: 2.36 million
Literacy rate: 98%
GDP (PPP) : US$ 339.5 billion (2017)
GDP (official exchange rate) : US$ 166.9 billion
GDP real growth rate : 1.6%
GDP per capita : $124,000 2nd highest in the world.
Agriculture products : fruits, vegetables, poultry etc.
Industries : NLG, crude oil production and refinery,
Fertilizer, petrochemicals
Budget revenue : US$ 44.10 billion
Expenditure : US$ 53.82 billion
Exports : 67.5 billion (2017)
Export partners : Japan 19.5 % , South Korea 16%, India
12.5 % , China 11.7%, Singapore 8.2% ,
UAE 6.4%
Export Commodities : LNG, Petroleum products, fertilizers
Imports : US$ 30.77 billion
Import partners : China 10.9%, US 8.9 %, UAE 8.5 %
Germany 8.17 %, UK 5.5%, India 5.4%
, Japan 5.3%, Italy 4.5 %
Crude oil production : 1.50 million barrels per day
Crude oil exports : 1.15 million barrels
Crude oil proven reserves : 25.24 billion barrels
Natural gas production : 166.4 bn cu meters
Natural gas proven reserves : 24.07 trillion cu meters
Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Naseer bin Khalifa Al thani showed his interest to sought Pakistan Army’s help to support the security during world cup 2022.
Trade with Pakistan
Qatar is keen to enhance bilateral trade with Pakistan which has seen a 104% increase in one year and totaled %1.6 billion in 2017. His Excellency Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jasim Althani said this addressing to Pakistan Qatar Business Forum.
Nearly 50 % of Qatari imports from Pakistan are food and consumer products which account 1.1 % of total Qatari imports in the same categories.
The number of Qatari Pakistani joint companies working in Qatar totals 851. Six other companies fully owned by Pakistanis are also operating in the banking, hotel, contracting and engineering fields.
Trade Statistics between Pakistan and Qatar
US$ million
year Export million $ import Balance of payment Total exports of Pakistan us$ billion % share in total exports Total import of Pakistan $ billion % share in total imports
2013 78.8 164.2 (85.5) 25.121 03. 43.775 0.4
2014 94.8 180.9 (106.1) 24.72 0.3 47.555 0.4
2015 63.3 319.3 (256.0) 22.09 0.3 43.989 0.7
2016 61.7 71.3 (712.6) 20.534 0.3 46.998 1.6
2017 67.4 1608.3 (1540.9) 21.877 0.3 57.640 2.8
Major Items of Imports from Pakistan
Millions of US$
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Mineral fuels, mineral oil 64.3 6.5 53.03 151 194.7
Plastic & articles 108 159.5 145.9 92.9 59.1
Fertilizers 122.8 12 0 14.2 16.9
Organic chemicals 93 27.1 32.1 16.2 8.1
% of total 99 93 95 87 69
Major item of Export from Pakistan
US$ million
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
CEREALS 56.3 41.3 44.4 26.7 16.1 18.7
Edible vegetables 3.1 10.1 7.2 10.2 15.4 14.8
Apparel, clothing textile 7.2 8.1 11 12.4 14.1 15.7
Apparel, clothing accessories 1.8 3.1 3.9 6 9.3 10.0
% of total 60 64 64 59 69 64