Economy Qatar records $137m budget deficit on lower oil income By Pramod Kumar June 4, 2025, 8:57 AM Reuters/Morteza Nikoubazl Qatar's oil and gas revenue stood at QR42.5 billion in the first quarter of 2025, down 10 percent compared to a year ago Qatar recorded a budget deficit of QR500 million ($137 million) in the first quarter of 2025 as oil revenues declined. Total revenue reached QR49 billion, down 7.5 percent year on year, the state-run Qatar News Agency reported. Oil and gas revenue stood at QR42.5 billion, down 10 percent year on year. However, non-oil revenue reached QR7 billion, up 13 percent from the same period last year. Total public expenditure declined 2.8 percent annually to nearly QR50 billion. The government spent QR17 billion on salaries and wages, QR18.5 billion on current expenditures and QR13 billion on major capital expenditures. The total value of government procurement contracts executed through tenders and auctions by public entities reached QR 6.4 billion. Contracts awarded to foreign companies topped QR1.5 billion, a 50 percent increase year on year. Qatar offers $1bn of incentives to boost business investment Japan is Qatar’s top international investor The multi-trillion dollar deals agreed on Trump’s trip In January Qatari minister Sheikh Faisal Al Thani said the government will introduce three laws to deal with bankruptcy, public-private partnerships and commercial registration. The laws aim to attract foreign investment as competition grows from regional countries, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The Gulf nation has set an ambitious target of securing $100 billion in foreign direct investment by 2030, as detailed in the updated 2024 national development strategy. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
