Israel's exports rise 24 pct in H1

Israeli exports rose 24 percent in the first half of 2021, according to figures issued by the state's Ministry of Economy and Industry on Sunday.

Israeli exports totaled 67.6 billion U.S. dollars in January-June, compared to 54.5 billion dollars in the same period last year.

This is an impressive growth given that the Israeli tourism services export sector has not yet returned to normal under the restrictions of COVID-19, the ministry said.

Exports of services rose by about 30 percent and exports of goods by about 18 percent in the first half of 2021.

The ministry predicts that Israeli exports will reach an annual record of 135 billion dollars by the end of 2021, up 20 percent compared to 2020 and 15 billion dollars above the governmental target.