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Trading with Qatar

UPS in Qatar

UPS has daily flights from Singapore to UPS's Dubai Hub, which connects directly to Qatar.

An oil-rich Arab country in Southwest Asia, Qatar has the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the world is one of the fastest growing economies globally.

Qatar, one of the smallest Arab Gulf states in terms of geographical area and population, registered consistent GDP growth rates of 6.9 percent and 7.6 percent in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Its national income is derived primarily from oil and gas exports, which account for more than 50 percent of GDP, 85 percent of export earnings and 70 percent of government revenues.

Aside from crude oil production and refining, Qatar's major industries also include ammonia, fertilisers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement and commercial ship repair.

Singapore-Qatar Trade

Bilateral trade between Singapore and Qatar has been rising robustly, bolstered by the recent signing of a Free Trade Agreement, which covers trade-in goods and services, e-commerce, investment, government procurement, customs and media cooperation.

Qatar was Singapore's 21st largest trading partner in 2007. Trade between the two countries grew by 60.6 percent to S$ 6.67 billion in 2007 from S$ 4.15 billion in 2006.

Singapore exports to Qatar rose from S$287.8 million in 2006 to S$378.5 million in 2007. Top exports include civil engineering equipment parts, iron pipes fittings, telecommunications equipment, measuring instruments and refined petroleum products.

Meanwhile, imports from Qatar also increased from S$ 3.86 billion in 2006 to S$ 6.29 billion in 2007. Main import items were crude petroleum, refined petroleum products, other organic chemicals, alcohols, phenols, derivatives and hydrocarbons.

In 2007 Singapore and Qatar signed an agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical (ECT) Cooperation where both countries resolve to promote joint action in areas such as energy, communications, transportation, construction, labour force development and tourism development.

Commodity-specific Conditions When Shipping to Qatar

To prevent delays and hold ups at customs, Singapore businesses must take note of the following restrictions on some commodities:

• Artworks with any religious themes are prohibited.
• Shipments of computers and computer parts are subject to screening from the concerned Ministry prior to clearing customs. Delays might occur in clearing these shipments.
• Shipments of all audio and video discs are subject to censorship regulations upon importation into Qatar. For CD-ROMs containing inter-company data, only an invoice with the CD-ROMs' value is required.
• Shipments of medical equipment are subject to screening from the concerned Ministry prior to clearing customs. Delays will occur in clearing these shipments.

Need further information? UPS can advise you on any restrictions or special requirements for shipping to Qatar.

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