RAMALLAH, July 23, 2018 (WAFA) - The trade balance, which represents the difference between exports and imports, showed an increase in trade deficit by 4.5% in May compared to April. It also increased by 5.6% compared to May 2017 and reached $399.3 million, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said on Monday.

Exports increased in May by 4.5% compared to April, while it decreased by 1.4% compared to May 2017 and reached $95.6 million.

Exports to Israel increased in May by 5.8% compared to April and it represented 88.2% of total exports.

On the other hand, exports to other countries decreased by 4.2% during the same period.

Imports also increased in May by 4.5% compared to April, said the PCBS. It also increased by 4.2% compared to May 2017 and reached $494.9 million.

Imports from Israel decreased by 1.1% in May compared to April and it represented 56% of total imports.

On the other hand, imports from other countries increased by 12.7% compared to April.

M.K.