Georgia Exports Grow to More Than $16 Billion in 2003

Transportation Equipment, Computers, Electronics, and Chemicals Top Exports

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue and the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (GDITT) announced today that Georgia 's exports for 2003 totaled $16.3 billion, an increase of 13 percent over 2002. Exports for the entire United States in 2003 increased only 4%. The increase moved Georgia from the nation's 15th largest exporting state to 14th. Georgia exports in 2003 accounted for more than 252,000 jobs.

"We are proud of our Georgia companies, who in spite of tough economic times are proven winners in the global marketplace," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "We will continue working to expand our reach and ensure that our products and services are attractive to customers around the world."

Georgia 's top three export industries are transportation equipment, computer and electronic products, and chemicals. In 2003, computers and electronic products surpassed the chemical industry to become the state's second largest export industry.

As has been the case in years past, the state's top three export markets in 2003 were Canada, Japan and Mexico. Georgia 's trade with the European Union in 2003 grew to $4.2 billion, 26 percent of the state's total, an increase of 15 percent. Exports to Western Hemisphere markets were up 6 percent to $6.6 billion, led by increases in all three of Georgia 's largest trading partners in the Americas - Canada (up 9 percent), Mexico (up 7 percent) and Brazil (up 6 percent).

Of the state's top ten export markets, the leaders in percentage growth were China at 55 percent, Korea at 49 percent, Netherlands at 43 percent, Italy at 29 percent, and Japan at 21 percent.