Economy (Qatar)
===============


     Overview:
         Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts for more than 85% of export
         earnings and roughly 75% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.3
         billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for about
         25 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP of about $15,000, comparable
         to the leading industrial countries. Production and export of natural gas is
         becoming increasingly important.
     GDP:
         exchange rate conversion - $7.4 billion, per capita $15,000; real growth
         rate NA (1990)
     Inflation rate (consumer prices):
         4.9% (1988 est.)
     Unemployment rate:
         NA%
     Budget:
         revenues $2.1 billion; expenditures $3.2 billion, including capital
         expenditures of $490 million (FY91 est.)
     Exports:
         $3.2 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
       commodities:
         petroleum products 85%, steel, fertilizers
       partners:
         Japan 61%, Brazil 9%, UAE 3%, Singapore 3%
     Imports:
         $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
       commodities:
         foodstuffs, beverages, animal and vegetable oils, chemicals, machinery and
         equipment
       partners:
         UK 13%, Japan 11%, US 8%, Italy 8%
     External debt:
         $1.1 billion (December 1989 est.)
     Industrial production:
         growth rate 0.6% (1987); accounts for 64% of GDP, including oil
     Electricity:
         1,520,000 kW capacity; 4,200 million kWh produced, 8,080 kWh per capita
         (1991)
     Industries:
         crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel,
         cement
     Agriculture:
         farming and grazing on small scale, less than 2% of GDP; commercial fishing
         increasing in importance; most food imported
     Economic aid:
         donor - pledged $2.7 billion in ODA to less developed countries (1979-88)
     Currency:
         Qatari riyal (plural - riyals); 1 Qatari riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams
     Exchange rates:
         Qatari riyals (QR) per US$1 - 3.6400 riyals (fixed rate)
     Fiscal year:
         1 April - 31 March