RAMALLAH, January 9, 2012 (WAFA) – Palestinian trade deficit increased by 9.8% in 2010 relative to 2009 and reached $3,383 million, said the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) Monday.

Trade transaction increased by 10.1% and reached $4,534 million in the same period, it said.

Total value of imports to the Palestinian Territory increased by 9.9% and reached $3,958.5 million in 2010 while Palestinian exports reached $575.5 million, an increase by 11% in the same period year to 2009.

Imports from Israel remained very high and even increased in 2010 by 8.4% compared to 2009 to reach $2,873.3 million while Palestinian exports to Israel stood at 488.4% in spite of an increase by 7.7% for the same period, said the PCBS.

The total value of imports of services from Israel decreased by 0.2% and reached $130.8 million, while exports of services to Israel decreased by 2.9% and reached $119.4 million in 2010 compared to 2009.

Imports from Jordan and Egypt increased by 40% and 8.1% respectively, while imports from US increased by 3.9% and imports from European countries increased by 6.0% to reach $369.5 million in 2010 compared to 2009, added PCBS.

Exports to Jordan increased by 8.1% to reach $31.2 million; exports to Egypt increased by 50.3% and exports to the United States increased by 18.6%, said the PCBS, while exports to the European countries increased by 110.6% and reached $9.9 million.

R.Q./M.S.