May 05 - Imports up 16.8% to $3.47b

According to an analysis prepared by Israel Tax Authority, imports in May grew up, despite earlier predictions of a slowdown in economic activity.
 
The Tax Authority noted in its weekly press release that total imports, excluding diamonds, rose by 16.8% in May 2005 to over $3.47 billion, compared with $2.97 billion in May 2004, and 35% higher than the $2.57 billion in April 2005, Imports, excluding diamonds, in January-May 2005 totaled $14.88 billion, 15.7% more than the $12.86 billion in the corresponding period of last year.
 
Cosmetics imports totaled $53 million in January-May, up 9.6% from $48 million in the corresponding period of last year. Cosmetics imports totaled $10 million in May, 14.6% higher than in May 2004. The Tax Authority data also indicate that fuel imports rose by 14.6% in January-May to $508 million from $444 million in the corresponding period of last year. Fuel imports in May were $113 million, 13.8% higher than the $99 million in May 2004.