Columbia metropolitan area logs record number of exports

Columbia Area Goods Exports Increased 19.4 Percent to a Record High in 2014

WASHINGTON, SC – The U.S. Department of Commerce released a report highlighting goods exports from U.S. metropolitan areas for 2014. The International Trade Administration’s 2014 Metropolitan Area Export Overview indicates that goods exports from the Columbia, S.C., metropolitan area totaled $2.0 billion last year, an increase of $327 million or 19.4 percent from 2013 to 2014.

“More and more U.S. businesses are realizing that selling their world-class goods to the 96 percent of potential customers who live outside the United States is critical to their success,” said Stefan M. Selig, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. “The Department of Commerce is committed to assisting companies throughout the Columbia metropolitan area compete globally by helping them begin or expand their exporting operations.”

U.S. metropolitan area goods exports exceeded $1.44 trillion in 2014, up $36 billion from 2013, and accounting for 89 percent of total U.S. goods exports last year. For the first time ever, 161 metropolitan areas tallied merchandise exports worth more than $1 billion in 2014.

“Big export sales mean more revenue which translates into economic growth and jobs,” said Dorette Coetsee, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Columbia. “There is a great potential for more exporting—particularly among smaller businesses that have yet to explore their full export potential.”

Columbia Metropolitan Area Export Highlights for 2014:

• Fifth consecutive year of increased exports.
• One of 139 metro areas to achieve record goods export levels.
• More than 57 percent of goods exports went to markets where the United States has trade agreements.
• Key merchandise export categories included plastics and rubber products; transportation equipment; fabricated metal products; chemicals; and machinery.
• The Asia, NAFTA, and European Union regions were leading destinations for goods exports.

Increasing U.S. exports is a top priority for the Obama administration. The Commerce Department and the Administration are working to keep businesses competitive, the economy growing and global economic leadership intact by pushing for 21^st century trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Current and potential free trade agreement (FTA) partners account for a large share of exports for many metropolitan areas.

For more information on exporting, contact the U.S. Commercial Service Export Assistance Center in Columbia at (803) 777-2571 or visithttp://www.export.gov/southcarolina/.

For more information on the impact of Metropolitan Statistical Areas on U.S. exports, visit http://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/metroreport.