RAMALLAH, March 25, 2018 (WAFA) – Palestinian exports decreased in January 2018 by 13% compared to December 2017, whereas it increased by 4.4% compared to January 2017 and reached $82.9 million, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)

Meanwhile, exports to Israel decreased during January 2018 by 10.4% compared to the previous month, representing 87.9% of total exports for January 2018.

PCBS said exports to other countries decreased by 28.1% during the same period compared to the previous month.

In the meantime, imports decreased in January 2018 by 0.6% compared to December 2017. It increased by 10.4% compared to January 2017, reaching $466.2 million.

Imports from Israel decreased by 1.5% during the same period compared to the previous month, and represented 56.1% of total imports in January 2018. Meanwhile, imports from other countries increased by 0.4% during the same period.

The trade balance, which represents the difference between exports and imports, showed an increase in trade deficit by 2.5% in January 2018 compared to the previous month, while it increased by 11.7% compared to January 2017, reaching $383.3 million.

C.K/M.N