The external trade growth of the state of Qatar 1990 - 2007: A study in economic geography

Abstract

The external trade of a country highlights the status of its general sustainable development, particularly its economic development. Moreover, it shows its relationship with the world economy. Over the last decades, the state of Qatar has witnessed many positive changes in all aspects of life. As a result, the economic growth rate became one of the highest in the world. The total value of the countrys external trade increased from $4.8 billion in 1990 to almost $60 billion in 2007. This paper analyzes Qatars external trade (QET) over the period (1990-2007) for both imports and exports, aiming to explain the factors behind the extreme shifts in its trade balance.