RAMALLAH, July 24, 2017 (WAFA) - Exports increased in May by 14.4% compared to April and imports also increased by 17.1% during the same period, said the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) on Monday.

Exports also increased by 16.2% when compared to May 2016 and reached $97 million when imports have decreased by 3.5% when compared to May of last year and reached $475 million, said the PCBS.

Exports to Israel increased in May by 19.7% compared to April and represented 90.4% of total exports in May.

On the other hand, exports to other countries  decreased by 19.6% during the same period.

Imports from Israel increased by 10.3% in May compared to April and represented 55.3% of total May imports.

At the same time, imports from other countries increased by 26.9% compared to April.

The trade balance which represents the difference between exports and imports showed an increase  in trade deficit by 17.9% in May compared to April. While it decreased by 7.5% compared to May 2016 and reached $378 million.

M.K