Israel's balance of payments surplus grew by one third in the third quarter of 2006 to a record $2.4 billion from $1.8 billion in the preceding quarter, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported today.
Export surplus reached $400 million in the third quarter and $1.5 billion in six months. Because of the second Lebanon war tourism income fell 25% to $600 million.
According to Central Bureau of Statistics figures, Israel is owed $30 billion by various countries, an increase of 50% from the preceding quarter. The market's foreign debt has shrunk 35% to $17.9 billion from $27.9 billion in September 2005.
Foreign direct investment in Israel tripled in January-September to a record high of $9.6 billion. Foreign financial investment doubled to $6.7 billion. Israeli direct investments overseas, including in income-producing real estate companies, grew sevenfold to a record high of $12 billion, while Israeli investment in foreign stock markets fell 12% to $5.1 billion.
The investment and capital flow figures into the Israeli economy and out from it were affected this year by two large transactions: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA)'s acquisition of Ivax and Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s (NYSE: BRK-A; Brk-B) acquisition of Iscar.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on December 12, 2006
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