RAMALLAH, June 19, 2017 (WAFA) – Exports and imports have decreased in April when compared to the previous month, while they increased when compared to the April of last year, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said on Monday in a report on preliminary results of the Palestinian registered external trade in goods for April.

Exports decreased in April by 2.2% compared to March, while it increased by 6.0% compared to April 2016 and reached $84.8 million, said the PCBS.

Exports to Israel decreased in April by 5.0% compared to March and represented 86.3% of total April exports.

On the other hand, exports to other countries increased by 20.7% during the same period.

Imports decreased in April by 5.1% compared to March, while they slightly increased by 0.1% compared to April 2016 and reached $405.5 million.

Imports from Israel decreased by 11.2% in April compared to March and represented 58.7% of total April imports.

On the other hand, imports from other countries increased by 5.0% in April compared to March.

The trade balance, which represents the difference between exports and imports, showed a decrease in trade deficit by 5.9% in April compared to March. It also decreased by 1.4% compared to April 2016 and reached $320.7 million.

M.K.