Indian exports to Qatar jump 87% last year: ambassador

Indian exports to Qatar has seen a huge jump in the financial year 2017-2018, compared to the previous year, ambassador P Kumaran disclosed yesterday. “Last year was a very important one. Indian exports to Qatar went up by over 87%. In the financial year 2016-17 (April to March), it was in the range of $800mn and last year it was about $1.5bn. The total bilateral trade volume between India and Qatar was over $10.6bn last year. It was an increase of 18% compared to 2016,” he said. The envoy was addressing the media on the sidelines of an event to announce the awards launched by Indian Business and Professional Council. Most of the increase was in commodities such as food, automobiles, confectioneries, automobile spare parts among others. India is also exporting two wheelers to Qatar. “The year 2018-2019 is also marking a consistent increase in the exports to Qatar. Every month is witnessing an increase compared to the previous month. We are looking at a great increase in the total exports this year also. “We have a lot of talks going on regarding Qatari investment in India, especially in the infrastructure sector. We have the need for a one trillion plus investment in infrastructure in the next several years and any investment in the area is welcome. “There are commitments from some of the higher levels from Qatar and they are looking into all the possibilities. Several delegations from India have also visited Qatar and made many presentations,” added Kumaran.