Imports totaled US$4.16 billion, 10.6% more than the US$3.76 billion in imports in July

The American investment bank is of the opinion that the Israeli GDP will grow by 4.8% this year. Morgan Stanley analyst: “a significant slowdown in the US economy could have a significant impact on Israel”

Sources at the Ministry of Finance said last week thatthe damage caused by the recent war is now estimated at NIS 6 billion, a much higher number than first anticipated

Economic data released last week by the central bank gave the first official sign of the economic impact of the month long war in Lebanon

Mr. Ami Etgar, head of the Israel Incoming Tourism Association,said last week that Israel has lost about $150 millions in tourism revenues since the war started in mid July

Local and foreign shipping companies announced gradual return to their regular shipping schedule. the port will return to its pre-war scale of operation within days

Trade deficit in July 2006 totaled $816 million, 65% higher than the trade deficit of $496 million in June 2006

The fall in the index was attributed to the war in Lebanon, which slowed down domestic demand for Israeli products, and caused a sharp drop in employment and output