FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2014

Contact:

Tony Ceballos (215) 597-7141 Curt Cultice (202) 482-2253

EXPORT GROWTH BENEFITS PENNSYLVANIA COMPANIES

2013 Pennsylvania merchandise exports are up 5 percent from last year

WASHINGTON The International Trade Administration (ITA) today announced that new data show Pennsylvania merchandise exports increased 5.4 percent in 2013 compared to 2012, growing from $38.8 billion to $40.9 billion. Pennsylvanias strong performance in 2013 helped the United States reach an all-time record for exports of U.S. goods and services, reaching $2.3 trillion in 2013 and supporting nearly 10 million American jobs. U.S. exporters continue to pursue new avenues to world customers, offering some of the most advanced and cutting edge products and services in the marketplace today, said Ken Hyatt, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. Through the National Export Initiative, President Obama is committed to helping U.S. businesses maximize their export potential which support good, high-wage jobs for the working men and women in Pennsylvania and across America. Pennsylvanias merchandise export sales in 2013 outpaced the 2012 figures in many top destinations, including: Bahamas (+595 percent); the Netherlands (+86 percent); Saudi Arabia (+37 percent); Korea (+36 percent); and Israel (+23 percent). Key merchandise export categories include: chemicals; machinery manufactures; computer and electronic products; transportation equipment; and primary metal manufactures. These numbers show that more and more Pennsylvania businesses are looking at international market diversification as a means of weathering the global economy and building their customer base, said Tony Ceballos, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Philadelphia. If youre not exporting, now is a great time to start. Our office can work with you in expanding your global sales. With more than 100 offices across the United States and in American Embassies and Consulates in more than 70 countries, ITAs U.S. Commercial Service connects U.S. companies with international buyers. In 2013, ITA helped U.S. businesses facilitate nearly 15,000 export successes. Companies interested in exporting should contact their local office in Philadelphia at (215) 597-7141 or visit www.export.gov/Pennsylvania. For more information about the impact of exports on individual states, including fact sheets for all 50 states, please visit the Trade Policy & Analysis web page at www.trade.gov/mas/ian.