The State of the Economy index rose by 0.6% in December and 1.4% in the forth quarter of 2006. Export of services was up 14.7% in December
The Bank of Israel (BoI ) State of the Economy index was published last week indicating increase of 7.3% in 2006, after rising 7% in 2005.
The State of the Economy index rose by 0.6% in December and 1.4% in the forth quarter of 2006.
In a statement issued by The Bank of Israel, it was noted that the index indicated further rapid expansion in economic activity.
The Bank noted that all components of the State of Economy index rose in December:
Industrial output rose 2% in November (the latest known figures), after falling 0.3% in October;
Trade and services proceeds rose 1.2% in November, after falling 0.2% in October;
Export of goods was up 0.9% and by 3.1% in two months;
Export of services was up 14.7% in December after falling 19.5% in November;
Imports was up 4.9% in December after falling 2.1% in November.
According to the Bank looking on 2006 as a whole, can show that most components of the State of Economy index rose:
industrial output rose 8.8%;
trade and services proceeds rose 8.9%;
imports, excluding investment goods, rose 8.7%;
export of goods rose 13.8%;
business sector employment rose 3%, or 53,000 persons, in January-October to an all-time high of 1.83m.
