Qatar has recorded a foreign goods trade surplus of almost QAR 10 billion in March, a year-on-year growth of nearly 71%, according to data released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics.

The total value of exports of goods, including goods of domestic origin and re-exports, in March was nearly QR19.7bn, showing a remarkable increase of 18.4 percent compared to the same month last year, local daily Gulf Times reported.

However, comparing month-on-month basis there was only a marginal increase of 0.1 percent when compared to exports in February 2017, according to these preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics.

On the other hand, imports of goods in March 2017 amounted to around QR9.8bn, showing a decrease of 9.6 percent compared to March 2016. On a month-on-month basis, however, there was an increase of 20 percent.

Japan was the top destination of Qatar's exports with almost QR3.7bn followed by South Korea with nearly QR2.8bn and India with about QR2.6bn. The top three destinations forms a combined share of 46.2 percent of total exports.

During March 2017, motor cars and other passenger vehicles were at the top of the imported group of commodities, with QR700m, showing a decrease of 9.2 percent compared to March 2016.

These numbers are indicative of Qatar's economy recovering from the after effects of crashing oil prices. For more info, visit Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics website