BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Imports to the Palestinian territory decreased by some 16.8 percent in April 2012 compared to a year earlier, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday.

Exports also declined, but much less at just 1.6 percent during the same period, PCBS said.

The value of imports exceeded exported goods, leaving a trade deficit of $306.9 million. This marks a decrease of 11.4 percent compared to April 2011, it said.