On December 13, the Central Bureau of Statistics published alarming figures for Israel's trade, with a 15.5% drop in high-tech exports and a 4.1% decrease in imports of consumer goods in September-November this year, compared with the corresponding period last year. Israel's trade deficit in November was NIS 2.7 billion. This deficit in trade of goods (excluding ships, airplanes, diamonds, and energy materials) since the beginning of the year totals NIS 28.9 billion, compared with a NIS 4.5 billion deficit in the corresponding period last year. The Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce is pursuing initiatives which will bring Israeli high-tech exports to customers and partners in Texas.