Qatar: Qatar’s international reserves and foreign currency liquidity rose 3.81 percent in February, reaching 255.916 billion Qatari riyals ($70.29 billion), up from 246.509 billion riyals in the same month last year.  

According to the latest data from the Qatar Central Bank, official reserves increased by 9.218 billion riyals, totaling 196.817 billion riyals at the end of February, despite a 13.175 billion riyal decline in foreign bonds and Treasury bills holdings, which stood at 125.790 billion riyals, Qatar News Agency reported.  

Official reserves comprise several components, including foreign bonds and treasury bills, cash balances with foreign banks, gold holdings, Special Drawing Rights, and Qatar’s quota at the International Monetary Fund. 

In addition, the central bank’s total international reserves include other liquid assets in foreign currency deposits. 

The figures reflect continued growth in Qatar’s international reserves, highlighting the country’s financial stability despite fluctuations in global markets. 

Gold reserves saw a significant uptick, rising by 13.85 billion riyals to 38.263 billion riyals. Cash balances with foreign banks increased by 8.63 billion riyals, reaching 27.67 billion riyals. Conversely, SDR deposits at the International Monetary Fund decreased by 98 million riyals, totaling 5.09 billion riyals.    

Qatar recorded a budget surplus of 900 million riyals in the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 100 million riyals in the previous quarter. 

In January, the Ministry of Finance stated on its X account that the surplus would be used to reduce public debt. It added that total expenditures for the quarter stood at 47.8 billion riyals, a 12 percent year-on-year decline, while revenues totaled 48.7 billion riyals, reflecting a 12.5 percent drop.  

The health, municipal and environment, general secretariat, and energy sectors ranked as the top-performing areas during the quarter, according to the Sector Performance Index. 

Qatar’s fiscal performance aligns with other Gulf Cooperation Council nations, such as Oman, which recorded a 6.2 percent budget surplus in 2024.  

This reflects the IMF’s December review, which highlighted the region’s resilience amid oil production cuts, supported by diversification efforts and economic reforms.  

Qatar’s real gross domestic product is expected to grow by 2 percent in 2024-25, driven by public investment, liquefied natural gas spillovers, and a robust tourism sector, according to the IMF.