Alabama ranked 4th fastest growing exporter of goods

Alabama has been ranked as the fourth fastest-growing exporter of goods in the United States for 2006, Governor Bob Riley announced Wednesday.

In 2006, exports from Alabama companies increased by 28.5 percent over the previous year, Governor Riley said. The value of Alabama exports increased from $10.7 billion in 2005 to $13.8 billion in 2006.

"Alabama companies continue to be innovative and highly competitive in the global market," Governor Riley said. "This is especially good news for our citizens, because the end result is more jobs and higher paying jobs here at home."

Alabama's 28.5 percent increase is well above the national average increase of 14.7 percent, making Alabama the fourth fastest-growing exporter of goods in the U.S. for the year. Delaware, Washington and Nevada ranked ahead of Alabama.

Nearly 3,000 businesses in the state sell their products overseas, and more than 75 percent of them are small and medium-size companies.

Increasing Alabama's exports has been a key goal of the Riley Administration. In 2004, Governor Riley launched a state initiative called "Export Alabama" to open trade opportunities for Alabama companies. As part of the effort, Governor Riley, the Alabama Development Office, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Export Alabama Trade Alliance organized and lead several trade missions overseas.

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