Qatar's exports rose by 3.3 percent to 87.6 billion Qatari riyals (24.08 billion dollars) in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Planning and Statistics Authority.

Chemical exports surged by 13.2 percent to 6.7 billion riyals, while manufactured articles exports soared by 89.2 percent to 1.1 billion riyals.

Food and live animals exports increased by 136.2 percent to 137 million riyals.

Despite these gains, overall exports fell by 8.6 percent compared to Q1 2023, totaling 95.9 billion riyals last year.

This decline was mainly due to a 10.9 percent drop in mineral fuel exports.

Notable increases were seen in machinery and transport equipment exports (up 30.5 percent) and miscellaneous manufactured articles (up 81.4 percent).

Asia was the primary destination for Qatari exports, making up 81 percent, followed by the GCC region and the EU at 8.9 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively.

Imports to Qatar rose by 25.4 percent to 34.4 billion riyals, primarily from Asia (39.3 percent) and the GCC (12.9 percent).

Despite increased imports, Qatar's trade surplus stood at 53.2 billion riyals, a 28.5 percent year-on-year decline.

The Qatar Chamber reported a 6 percent rise in private sector exports, reaching 2.53 billion riyals.