Gov. Perdue Announces Record Level of Exports from North Carolina
(Courtesy of N.C. Department of Commerce )

                                                   Pictured: Governor Perdue and Owen George
                                                   during the South East U.S. Canada Alliance conference
                                                   at Myrtle Beach  -- May 21st, 2012.



RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue has announced that exports in 2011 surged to a record high with increased global demand supporting job growth in the state. North Carolina’s merchandise exports grew 8% (or $2.1 billion) to $27 billion, surpassing the peak of $25 billion in 2008.

“North Carolina’s record level of exports in 2011 is a clear indicator that our efforts to stimulate the economy by seeking out new markets and new opportunities for trade and investment are paying off,” said Gov. Perdue. “My top priority of creating jobs is supported by our focus on making North Carolina globally competitive.”

North Carolina saw growth in most of its export sectors with manufacturing continuing to dominate.
The largest exports for North Carolina are chemicals, machinery equipment, transportation equipment, computer and electronic products, and textiles and fabrics. North Carolina’s top five trading partners are Canada, China, Mexico, Japan, and Germany.

North Carolina has been highlighted in national press for its NC Passport to Export initiative which is a collaboration of local, state, and federal export partners focused on helping small and medium size businesses find overseas markets for their products and services. Last September, the Small Business Administration made its national announcement of State Trade and Export Promotion Grants (STEP) in North Carolina.

As part of Gov. Perdue’s budget announced last week, she is recommending $500,000 in additional funding to the N.C. Department of Commerce International Trade Division to support the activities of small manufacturing companies seeking to expand jobs by selling products in the global marketplace. The funds will be used to assist these companies with marketing products and accessing customers in key international markets.

Top 5 N.C. Merchandise Exports


Chemicals $4.8 billion

Machinery Equipment $3.9 billion

Transportation Equipment $2.6 billion

Computers & Electronics $2.4 billion

Textiles & Fabrics $2.0 billion
Top 5 Trading Partners

Canada $6.3 billion

China $2.6 billion

Mexico $2.0 billion

Japan $1.6 billion

Germany $1.1 billion

House Bill Re-Authorizes Export-Import Bank

Post courtesy of: 
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES

Office of Communications, Washington, D.C.
Media Contact: Maura Policelli or Phil Cogan: (202) 565-3200

STATEMENT BY


EX-IM BANK CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT FRED P. HOCHBERG

ON THE PASSAGE OF H.R. 2072

May 9, 2012
“After months of rigorous debate, the compromise bill to re-authorize the Export-Import Bank (H.R. 2072) overwhelming passed by the House today will allow the Bank to continue supporting U.S. jobs through exports at no cost to the taxpayers. The Bank will continue financing U.S. exports to meet increasing foreign competition and fill the void when commercial financial support is unavailable. This is a no cost jobs bill. Ex-Im Bank export financing currently supports over 1,000 American jobs every working day.

“The passage of this bipartisan legislation provides much-needed certainty and predictability to U.S. exporters and their workers by extending the Bank’s authority through Fiscal Year 2014 and increasing its portfolio cap to $140 billion. It will provide resources to help meet the President's objective for the Bank's re-authorization which is a key component of his National Export Initiative aimed at doubling exports. We are hopeful that the Senate will expeditiously consider and pass the bill and send it to the President for his signature.
“H.R. 2072 provides American manufacturers, small businesses, and suppliers continued access to the financing they need to sell their goods and services around the world. As a result, hundreds of thousands of American jobs will be created or sustained.
“During my tenure Ex-Im Bank has focused on improving customer service and reducing processing times in order to increase U.S. exports and create and sustain more jobs. And as Ex-Im Bank’s chairman and president, I am proud to have seen the Bank’s authorizations increase from $14.4 billion to $32.7 billion. Each of the past three years we have set records in export financing. In fiscal year 2011 Ex-Im transactions supported $40 billion in exports from over 3,600 companies --- over 85% of which are small- and medium-sized businesses --- and an estimated 290,000 American jobs. Ex-Im continues to be a fiscally responsible agency and contributes to reducing our nation’s deficit by generating revenue through fees and interest
“The Administration's support for U.S. exporters has contributed to record export levels, totaling over $2.1 trillion in 2011, 33.5% above the level of exports in 2009 -- representing almost 10 million U.S. jobs. Ex-Im Bank will continue to play a role in supporting the Administration’s export initiative to keep America working.”