Israel's trade deficit for goods widened to $19.8 billion between January and May 2016, up 270% from $7.3 billion in the corresponding period of 2015, the Central Bureau of Statistics reports. The slump in Israeli exports continued. Exports of commodities from March to May 2016 (excluding ships, planes and diamonds) fell 16.5% on an annualized basis compared with a similar fall in the December 2015 to February 2016 period. RELATED ARTICLES Bloomberg: Israel catching up on falling behind Israel's exports plunge 14% in Q1 Between March and May 2016 imports rose (excluding ships, planes, diamonds and energy) 11.2% on an annualized basis following a 12.2% rise in the December 2015 to February 2016 period. Exports of high-tech goods were 47% of overall exports (excluding diamonds) in March-May 2016, down 27.8% on an annualized basis. This follows a fall of 28.7% on an annualized basis in the December 2015-February 2016 period. Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 13, 2016 © Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2016
