*Qatar’s budget deficit widened to $390mn in Q3, bringing the total for the year so far to $750mn. The budget has been in deficit each quarter this year, marking the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 that it has suffered three consecutive quarterly deficits.
*Since 2020’s rare $2.9bn deficit, Qatar notched up four consecutive annual surpluses, but they have been steadily narrowing since 2022’s bumper $24.5bn surplus as oil and gas prices have fallen. Last year’s surplus was just $1.6bn, and this year’s deficit is on course to exceed $1bn. (CONTINUED - 146 WORDS)
