Courtesy of: U.S. Commercial Service / U.S. Department of Commerce
The International Trade Administration (ITA) recently announced new export data that shows Maryland merchandise exports increased 10 percent in the first half of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, growing from $5.3 billion to $5.8 billion. This percentage growth topped the 7 percent national average for merchandise export growth for the same period.
“Exports are an increasingly important part of Maryland’s economic recovery as local businesses both big and small start to look beyond our borders to increase their customer base,” said Francisco Sánchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. “The International Trade Administration is committed to helping Maryland businesses leverage financing and other key resources to boost exports that support thousands of good, high-paying jobs across the state. I encourage companies to contact our local U.S. Commercial Service offices to find out about new export opportunities and the resources available to them.”
Maryland’s first half 2012 merchandise export sales outpaced the 2011 figures for the same period in many top destinations, including Italy (up 137 percent), Australia (61 percent), Saudi Arabia (60 percent), United Kingdom (50 percent), and Brazil (44 percent). Key merchandise export categories include transportation equipment, chemicals, computer and electronic products, machinery manufactures, and primary metal manufactures.
“Exports from Maryland are up, and selling internationally has become a much more viable option for small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Bill Burwell, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Baltimore. “In many cases, the Internet, ease of transportation, and array of available export services has reduced the distance between exporter and importer to a click on a desktop. We’d like to help you realize your export potential.”
Since 2009, ITA has assisted approximately 15,000 U.S. companies record nearly 47,000 export successes. These results supported the 9.7 million Americans employed by export-related jobs in 2011, an increase of 1.2 million jobs since 2009.
For more information on exporting, contact the U.S. Commercial Service in Baltimore at 410-962-4539 or visit www.export.gov/Maryland. Businesses can also order the Basic Guide to Exporting available at www.export.gov/basicguide.