The U.S. Department of Commerce released export figures for the period 1993-98 that show a significant increase in Georgia products and services sold outside the U.S.
Atlanta recorded the second-largest increase for 1998, $1.3 billion, among U.S. cities, next to Seattle, which had a $7 billion increase. The department estimated that the number of jobs created or retained as a result of 1998 exports from the Atlanta MSA is 110,600.
“These statistics demonstrate that Georgia companies continue to excel at international trade expansion despite economic challenges in many of our export markets,” said Carlos Martel, deputy commissioner for international trade for the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (GDITT).
“More than 96% of the world’s consumers live outside the U.S. The extensive assistance that is available to help companies interested in pursuing markets abroad for their products and services makes exporting an opportunity that companies cannot overlook.”
Statistics also were released for Albany, Augusta-Aiken, Chattanooga-Dalton, Columbus, Macon and Savannah.
“The metro statistics are very favorable for Georgia,” said Sam Troy, director of the Sunbelt U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC), who added that five of the seven metro areas in Georgia had export percentage increases higher than the national average of 46.3% increase for the period. Albany and Columbus trailed the average for the period, he added.
For more information, call GDITT at (404) 656-3571 or Mr. Troy may be reached at (404) 657-1965.