Q2 – Industrial exports up 9%

Manufacturers Association managing director Yoram Blizovsky said last week that in the second quarter of 2006 Industrial exports increased sharply by 9% to $7.6 billion
 
According to data analyzed by the economic department of the Manufacturers Association exports in the high-technology sector (pharmaceuticals, electronics components and computers, communications, aircraft, control and monitoring equipment) increased in the second quarter by 16%, after rising in the first quarter by 3%.
 
Medium high technology sector (electrical equipment, chemicals, refined products, machines and equipment, engines) increased in the second quarter by 8% after rising in the first quarter by 0.3%.
 
Medium-low technology sector (including metal products, rubber and plastics, basic metals) rose 4.5% in the second quarter after falling 1% in the first quarter.
Low technology sector (including clothing and textiles, food and beverages, leather, paper and printing, wood and wood products) rose by 1.5% in the second quarter after falling 1% in the first quarter.
 
Manufacturers' Association managing director Yoram Blizovsky added that the economic damage caused to industry by the war in the north was estimated at NIS 2-3 billion.
 
This sum reflects losses due to reduced productivity on days when plants were closed and the cost of overtime that will be paid to workers to clear backlogs when normality is restored.
Figures compiled by the Association show that 55% of plants work is still partially or wholly halted.
 
There are 1,800 industrial plants in the north of the country, which employ some 110,000 people.