Continuing the sequence recorded since August last year, business conditions across Qatar's non-oil and gas private sector improved once again according to the latest QFC Qatar PMI data. Despite the rate of expansion easing to a one-year low, growth of new business remained robust overall whilst job creation accelerated to a survey-record high amid elevated sentiment across the sector.

The survey, compiled for Qatar Financial Centre by IHS Markit, has been conducted since April 2017 and provides an early indication of operating conditions in Qatar. The headline figure derived from the survey is the Purchasing Managers' Index™ (PMI™).

Readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show a deterioration.

The headline seasonally adjusted Qatar Financial Centre PMI – a composite gauge designed to give a single-figure snapshot of operating conditions in the non-oil and gas private sector – softened to 50.4 in August, from 52.0 in July, partly reflecting a slight fall in output. The figure remained in positive territory, however, and stretched the current phase of expansion to 13 months.

August's survey data signalled a further improvement in new order inflows. Although the rate of growth eased, it remained solid overall. Anecdotal evidence suggested that the latest increase was linked to promotional activity and new product launches.

In response to increasing new orders and solid business confidence, firms upped their payroll count at a survey-record pace. The rate of job creation was marked overall, with the latest increase extending the current phase of growth to four months.

Prices pressures faced by businesses fell in the latest survey. In fact, the drop in input prices was the fastest since the survey's inception in April 2017. Survey data suggested that easing capacity pressures at suppliers were partly linked to the fall in input prices. Meanwhile, delivery times improved at a marked rate.

Partly reflecting falling cost burdens and promotional activity, selling prices set by Qatari private sector businesses dropped to a survey-record extent.

Despite softening to a three-month low in August, positive sentiment towards future growth prospects among Qatari non-oil and gas private sector firms remained strong overall. Many panel respondents reported optimism towards economic stability and new product launches. 

Comment

"Qatar's economic recovery continued in August, with the latest data extending the current run of expansion to 13 successive months. Whilst the headline PMI figure eased since July, there was a myriad of positive news uncovered by the latest survey. Job creation hit a survey-record high as firms sought to increase payroll numbers to meet growth inflows of new business. Furthermore, overall cost burdens faced by local businesses fell as supplier performance improved to a marked degree. Finally, client demand continued to expand, signalling that the softening in the sector's rate of growth may prove short-lived."

Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al-Thani

Managing Director, Business Development, QFC Authority