The deficit of current account was caused mainly by the deficit in the trade balance of goods, which was $1,255.2 million -- 44.8% of the GDP.

The deficit in services balance amounted to $96 million. The decrease in this deficit was caused by the increase of the exports in other business services and government services in addition to the decrease of the imports in government services and travel services.

The surplus in income balance -- compensations of employees and investments income -- amounted to $241.7 million. The surplus was due to surplus in compensations of employees working in Israel, which reached  $229.1 million. While, the received investments income amounted to %30.7 million, mainly caused by the interest received on the Palestinian deposits in banks abroad.

According to the net current transfers, the surplus value amounted to $419 million. The donors’ current transfers was 48.7% of total value of receipts from abroad.

The surplus value of capital and financial account amounted to $708.8 million. mainly caused by the surplus in financial account -- direct investments, portfolio investments, other investments, and reserve assets.

The changes on reserve assets flow showed an increase and amounted to %110.8 million in Palestine Monetary Authority, which are reflected in the overall balance surplus in the Palestinian case due to the absence of other financing resources.

M.S.