Governor Rendell Says Newest Figures Show Substantial Increase in Pennsylvania Exports

Feb. 2, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – The value of Pennsylvania’s annual exports increased 20 percent last year, said Governor Edward G. Rendell today as he cited the latest federal figures showing the value of exports has doubled since the start of his administration.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania exports increased from $15.3 billion in 2002 to $32 billion in 2008. Pennsylvania is the 11th largest exporting state with the fastest growing export sectors, including petroleum products, coal, iron and steel alloys, vehicles, aircrafts, scrap metal and machinery.

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“In this sour economy, this is very good news, and it’s evidence that not every sector is hurting,” Governor Rendell said. “Exports in Pennsylvania are playing an increasingly important role in the state’s economy. In 2007, exports contributed nearly 7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, which was up from 4 percent in 2002.

“We must continue to support this important sector, which is why it’s vital that we persist in helping Pennsylvania businesses explore exporting opportunities throughout the world. Helping them find new business opportunities creates new jobs for our hardworking men and women.”

Canada and Mexico remained at the top of the commonwealth’s largest export markets, taking in 36 percent of total exports, while Brazil accounted for the fastest-growing market for Pennsylvania exports, rising 113 percent and surpassing the $1 billion mark. Spain and the United Arab Emirates are also considered growing markets for the commonwealth.

Governor Rendell has long supported increasing the commonwealth’s impact in the global market. He launched World Trade PA in 2006 to boost Pennsylvania’s trade and investment activities. World Trade PA is overseen by the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Office of International Business Development.

Last year, the Office of International Business Development directly assisted more than 1,200 companies through its 24 overseas trade representatives. In addition, the Center for Trade Development, another program administered through DCED, organized and led 17 trade delegations to 13 foreign markets, awarded more than 300 market access grants totaling $880,000 to 170 of the commonwealth’s exporters, and facilitated $265 million in export sales for 268 Pennsylvania companies.

The Office of International Business Development also created the country’s first virtual trade advisor to help people better understand complex trade flow reports, implemented the “Go Global” program to provide grant funding to organizations that teach how to promote Pennsylvania exports and penetrate foreign markets, and created the Global Alumni Network to use the resources of Pennsylvania’s foreign-based alumni to show international companies the benefits of doing business in the commonwealth.

To learn more about the Office of International Business Development, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972

Source: Pennsylvania Governor