RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- A report released Thursday by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics has found that Palestinian exports in April decreased by 9.7 percent compared to March, standing at a total of $61.6 million for the month.

The report found that exports to Israel also decreased in April 2011, by 9.1 percent compared to March.

Furthermore, exports to other countries decreased by 16.8 percent over April 2011.

Exports to Israel represented 93.3 percent of total exports in April 2011.

Imports also decreased in April 2011 compared to March. Imports from Israel decreased by 14.1 percent and represented 76 percent of total imports in April, reaching $408.1 million.

Imports from other countries decreased by 28.2 percent compared to March 2011.

The trade balance shows a deficit decrease of 19.3 percent compared to March 2011, standing at $346.5 million.

Preliminary results for external trade in 2010 indicate an increase in both imports and exports compared to 2009.