RAMALLAH, January 28, 2007 (WAFA) - Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said Sunday, according to 29.6% of the owners/ managers of the industrial establishments, the performance of their establishments in production in December 2006 had become worse than in November 2006.

PCBS said a press release on the Findings of the Survey of the Trends of the Owners/Managers of Industries with respect to the Economic Situation December 2006, that 51.7% of the owners/ managers of the industrial establishments stated that there had not been any change.

According to the press release, 65.6% of the owners/ managers of the industrial establishments reported that effect of the political situation on the production cost (56.5% for the Remaining West Bank and 88.3% for Gaza Strip).

Alternatively, says thepress releae, 65.1% of the opinions of the owners of the industrial establishments pointed out the power the increase in the prices and cost of raw materials (53.7% of the Remaining West Bank and 93.2% of Gaza Strip). Moreover, 35.8% of the owners/ managers of the industrial establishments identified the impact of transport expenses on production cost, (18.8% for the Remaining West Bank and 77.7% for Gaza Strip).

Survey results showed weak borrowing by industrial establishments from operating banks in the Palestinian Territory in during the fourth quarter 2006. "96.4% of the owners of industrial establishments stated that they refrained from borrowing from the operating banks while 3.3% of them did apply for bank loans only one time, 0.3% applied 2-5 times, meanwhile no establishment applied more than 5 times for bank loans," according to the press release.

A.D (15:35 P) (12:35 GMT)