CBS: Imports in August up sharply

Imports totaled US$4.16 billion, 10.6% more than the US$3.76 billion in imports in July
 
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) released last week trade data indicating that Due to the war in Lebanon imports to Israel and Israel’s trade deficit were up dramatically in August 2006.
 
According to the CBS exports totaled US$3.1 billion in August, 3.3% more than the US$3 billion in July. Imports, however, totaled US$4.16 billion, 10.6% more than the US$3.76 billion in imports in July.
 
Israel's trade gap increased 41.8% to US$1.06 billion from US$745 million.
 
The CBS's trade data also noted that in January-August 2006 exports totaled US$25.9 billion, 5.3% more than the US$24.6 billion in the corresponding period of 2005.
 
Imports in January-August 2006 totaled $31 billion, 4.3% more than the $29.7 billion in the corresponding period of 2005.
 
The total trade deficit in January-August was $5.1 billion, the same as in the corresponding period of 2005.