Qatar receives QR 676.4 billion foreign investments in Q1 of 2018

Doha: Foreign investments in Qatar amounted to QR 676.4 billion in the first quarter of 2018, according to the findings of the quarterly Foreign Investment survey launched by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics and Qatar Central Bank.

The survey covers major enterprises – private and public – operating in the national economy. It targeted some of the largest enterprises in the private sector which accounted for 84 percent of the value of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) of non-banks enterprises in 2016, while QCB surveyed all financial institutions under its supervision.

International financial transactions made by individuals and by the government were not covered. Hence, the survey results are not strictly comparable with the balance of payments (BOP) statement of QCB.

The survey findings show that liabilities to non-residents (inward investment) increased in Q1 by 4 percent or QR 28.4 billion from QR 648 billion at the end of the previous quarter to stand at QR 676.4 billion.

At the end of Q1 2018, other foreign investments accounted for 67 percent or QR 455.9 billion, followed by FDI in Qatar at QR 123.1 billion or 18 percent and portfolio investments at QR 93.3 billion or 14 percent of the total liabilities.

Additionally, stock of inward FDI had been reduced by QR 6.1 billion at the end of Q1 2018 due to net outflows of FDI and other changes during the quarter.

As for assets with non-residents (outward investment), they increased at the end of Q1 2018 by QR 2 billion from QR 400.5 billion at the end of the previous quarter to stand at QR 402.5 billion.

At the end of Q1 2018, other foreign investments consisting of long term loans and trade related short term financial instruments accounted for 54 percent or QR 218.9 billion of the total assets, followed by foreign direct investment abroad at QR 146 billion or 36 percent and portfolio investments (financial securities) at QR 37.1 billion or 9 percent.

Meanwhile, during Q1 2018, net out flows of FDI abroad and other changes amounted to QR 0.8 billion, the survey findings showed.