Qatar’s Annual Inflation Increases

The price index rose in Qatar by annual measure until last March. (QNA)
The price index rose in Qatar by annual measure until last March. (QNA)
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Qatar’s Annual Inflation Increases

The price index rose in Qatar by annual measure until last March. (QNA)
The price index rose in Qatar by annual measure until last March. (QNA)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Qatar registered a 4.01% annual increase in March, compared to the CPI of March 2022, reaching 105.55 points.

On monthly basis, the CPI showed an increase of 0.20% when compared to the CPI of February 2023.

The increase has been recorded in the general index primarily due to the prices rising in eight groups namely: Recreation and Culture by 13.63%, followed by Housing, Water, Electricity and other Fuel by 8.65%, Clothing and Footwear by 4.90%, Education by 2.61%, Transport by 2.50%, Restaurants and Hotels by 2.25%, Health by 1.62%, and Food and Beverages by 1.06%.

A decrease has been shown in price levels in Miscellaneous Goods and Services by 0.34%, Communication by 4.84%, and Furniture and Household Equipment by 0.30%.

No changes were recorded on Tobacco.

When comparing the main components of CPI of March 2023, with the previous month (Monthly change), the groups that showed an increase included: Clothing and Footwear by 1.56%, followed by Recreation and Culture by 1.44%, Housing, Water, Electricity and other Fuel by 1.09%, Miscellaneous Goods and Services by 0.75%, and Transport by 0.53%.

A decrease has been recorded in Restaurants and Hotels by 1.90%, followed by Education by 1.58%, Food and Beverages by 1.08%, and Furniture and Household Equipment by 0.22%. Tobacco, Health, and Communication had remained flat at the last month's price level.

The CPI of March 2023 excluding Housing, Water, Electricity, and other Fuel group stands at 107.42 points, recording a decrease (almost stable) by 0.02% when compared to the index of February 2023. Compared with its counterpart in 2022, the CPI of the March index increased by 2.93%.



GCC Secretary-General: 68 Million Tourists Visited Gulf Countries in 5 Years

Albudaiwi spoke at the 9th meeting of the GCC ministers of tourism in Kuwait. Photo: GCC
Albudaiwi spoke at the 9th meeting of the GCC ministers of tourism in Kuwait. Photo: GCC
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GCC Secretary-General: 68 Million Tourists Visited Gulf Countries in 5 Years

Albudaiwi spoke at the 9th meeting of the GCC ministers of tourism in Kuwait. Photo: GCC
Albudaiwi spoke at the 9th meeting of the GCC ministers of tourism in Kuwait. Photo: GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi has said that the number of tourists arriving in the Gulf countries between 2019 and 2023 reached 68.1 million, with tourism revenues amounting to $110.4 billion.

Albudaiwi said the approval of projects under the Gulf Tourism Strategy 2023–2030 aims to enhance the tourism position of the GCC countries regionally and internationally. This initiative aligns with the directives of the leaders of the GCC countries.

Albudaiwi was speaking at the 9th meeting of the GCC ministers of tourism held on Monday in Kuwait.

The meeting was chaired by Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs in Kuwait Abdul Rahman Badah Al Mutairi, President of the current session.

The Secretary-General expressed pride in the remarkable achievements of Gulf countries, which enhance their standing on the international stage and reaffirm the GCC’s commitment to a prosperous future for the region’s tourism sector.

Albudaiwi noted that international tourist arrivals in the GCC reached 68.1 million by 2023, a growth rate of 42.8% compared to 2019, achieving 52.9% of the GCC’s 2030 targets.