Having moved recently from Dubai to Doha, I was surprised to note the price difference in a number of products. About milk, as an exmaple, the Al Marai Full Fat which is made in Saudi Arabia costs SAR 7.5 in KSA, AED 10 in UAE and QAR 11 in Qatar. If you buy from a corner store, it will be QAR 12.
In the overall scheme of things, it means nothing to my monthly budget but I cannot understand why products are more expensive here. From essentials to luxuries, there is a minimum price difference of 7-8% from other gulf countries. The GCC countries have a common customs union so it is not like goods entering into Qatar have to pay duty different from other gulf countries. There may be aditional transport cost but that does not justify such a big price difference.
Only thing that I can think of is that businesses here want higher margins. I would like to see a not-for- profit co-operative store in Doha (not sure if there already are some) selling products at lower prices. People may never shop there but atleast they wont complain.
Having moved recently from Dubai to Doha, I was surprised to note the price difference in a number of products. About milk, as an exmaple, the Al Marai Full Fat which is made in Saudi Arabia costs SAR 7.5 in KSA, AED 10 in UAE and QAR 11 in Qatar. If you buy from a corner store, it will be QAR 12.
In the overall scheme of things, it means nothing to my monthly budget but I cannot understand why products are more expensive here. From essentials to luxuries, there is a minimum price difference of 7-8% from other gulf countries. The GCC countries have a common customs union so it is not like goods entering into Qatar have to pay duty different from other gulf countries. There may be aditional transport cost but that does not justify such a big price difference.
Only thing that I can think of is that businesses here want higher margins. I would like to see a not-for- profit co-operative store in Doha (not sure if there already are some) selling products at lower prices. People may never shop there but atleast they wont complain.