Today, 96 percent of Israel's exports and 93 percent of its imports have destinations outside the region.

As late as 1879 an astonishing 95 percent of Germany's imports were still free of duty.

By official measures, 42 percent of Russia's imports come from Europe, and many are paid for in euros.

Such intra-company transactions represented about 17 percent of the nation's imports in recent years.

Another factor was an increase in the price of oil, which accounts for about 15 percent of Japan's imports, the official said.

Between 1998 and 2007, exports to China grew by 272 percent, but only represented about 1.1 percent of China's total imports.

"Before the war about 80 percent of Iran's imports came through Khorramshahr," he added.

More than 90 percent of the country's imports and exports, particularly in the fisheries and oil sectors, are undertaken through the sea (2009).

In 1995, only about 10 percent of its total imports were consumer goods.

"Besides, about 50 percent of Germany's imports are dollar-denominated."