AfricaAsia NorthAsia South and SoutheastAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastAfghanistanBahrainIranIsraelJordanKuwaitLebanonOmanQatarSaudi ArabiaTurkeyUnited Arab EmiratesNorth AmericaPacific
Enter the country or territory for the information paper you want. (We do not have information papers on all countries.)
In the year ended December 2008 the Qatar ranked as New Zealand’13th most significant bilateral trade partner, and is currently our second largest trading partner in the Middle East (after Saudi Arabia), although trade is primarily from imports of crude oil. With its small population base and high per capita income, Qatar will continue to represent a modest but useful market for New Zealand exports, principally lamb, beef and dairy products. In the year ending December 2008 New Zealand exported NZ$30.5 million worth of products to Qatar, which consisted mainly of meat and dairy products. Imports from Qatar for the same period amounted to NZ$1.5 billion, made up of mostly crude oil, with some nitrogen fertilisers. In the last few years, Qatar has become a significant energy supplier to New Zealand. There are prospects to further develop the bilateral relationship in new areas, such as education, health and tourism sectors.
New Zealand is currently negotiating a Free Trade Arrangement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Five rounds of negotiations have been completed with a sixth round to be held in New Zealand in October 2009.
Since 1 July 1999, GCC nationals, including from Qatar, have not required visas to visit New Zealand for visits of up to 90 days.
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait.
Land Area -
11,521 sq km
Population -
1,553,729 (2008)
Capital City - Doha
Religion - Islam (95%)
Language - Arabic (but English widely used)
Currency -
Qatari Riyal (QR) = 100 Dirhams
Exchange Rate -
US $1 = QR 3.64 (fixed to the US$)
Political system - Hereditary emirate
National government - Cabinet, headed by the prime minister, who is appointed by the Emir.
National legislature - No elected legislature. The Emir appoints a Consultative Council (Majlis al-Shura) of 35 members, which is empowered to debate legislation and make recommendations to the Cabinet.
Head of State - Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who acceded to the throne on 27 June 1995.
Head of Government -
Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al-Thani (since 3 April 2007)
GDP -
US$107.8 billion (2008 EIU estimate)
Real GDP growth -
13.4% (2008 EIU estimate)
Exports -
US$55.1 billion (2008 EIU estimate)
Imports -
US$21.2 billion (2008 EIU estimate)
Current account -
US$21.0 billion (2008 EIU estimate)
Inflation -
13.2% (2008 actual)
Gross external debt -
US$55.8 billion (2008 EIU estimate)
NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ $30.52 million (to December 2008)
Main Exports -
Meat (NZ$10.6 million); Cheese (NZ$5.6 million); Milk and cream (NZ$3.2 million); Butter (NZ$2.1 million)
NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ $1.52 billion (for year to December 2008)
Main Imports -
Crude oil (NZ$1.41 billion); Fertilizers (NZ$106 million)
New Zealand is represented in Qatar by:
The New Zealand Ambassador in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is accredited to Qatar [external link].
Qatar is represented in New Zealand by:
The Qatari Ambassador in Jakarta, Indonesia is accredited to New Zealand.
Qatar established diplomatic relations with New Zealand in November 1984. The Qatari Ambassador is accredited to New Zealand from Jakarta, following the transfer of accreditation from the Qatari embassy in Tokyo on 31 January 2007.
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Qatar [external link].
Enquiries may be directed to Consular Division at the following numbers: telephone: +64 4 439 8000; fax: +64 4 439 8532.
