CBS : War caused 65% rise in trade deficit in July

Trade deficit in July 2006 totaled $816 million, 65% higher than the trade deficit of $496 million in June 2006
 
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reported last week that the 33 days war in Lebanon caused Israel trade deficit in July 2006 to jump because of the heavy damage to Israel's exports.
 
The CBS said that trade deficit in July 2006 totaled $816 million, 65% higher than the trade deficit of $496 million in June 2006. According to the CBS exports in July experienced dramatic fall of 13% to $2.94 billion, while imports fell 3.1% to $3.76 billions.
 
The CBS noted, however, that the trend data calculated indicate, (seasonally adjusted and adjusted for irregular elements), a rise of export of goods (excluding diamonds) of 6.7%, at an annual rate, during May-July 2006.
 
In July 2006, manufacturing exports (excluding diamonds) constituted 73.4% of all export of goods. Export of diamonds constituted 24.7%, and the rest was agricultural exports.