AUSTIN, WACO METROPOLITAN AREAS TALLY RECORD INCREASES IN EXPORTS FOR 2016
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) recently released a report highlighting goods exports from U.S. metropolitan areas for 2016. The International Trade Administration’s 2016 Metropolitan Area Export Overview indicates that goods exports from both the Austin-Round and Waco metropolitan areas totaled $10,682,654,557 and $1,107,417,158 last year, respectively.
For the Austin-Round Rock area, this was an increase of $694,482,108 from 2015, or a 7-percent overall increase. In comparison, the Waco area saw a 136-percent increase, with a year-over-year increase of $638,062,449.
“There is demand for ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ products in overseas markets,” said Karen Parker, Director, U.S. Commercial Service-Austin. “Our organization remains committed to helping local businesses identify and capitalize on international opportunities, whether they are new or experienced exporters.”
The Austin-Round Rock and Waco Metropolitan Area export highlights for 2016 include:
• The Austin-Round Rock area is the 26th largest exporter in the U.S. for 2016, rounding out the top 50.
• This is the second consecutive year of increased goods exported from the Austin-Round Rock area.
• Approximately 88% of exporters in both MSAs were from small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Key merchandise export categories included electrical equipment, appliances, and components; chemicals; and transportation equipment.
“We continue to be encouraged by our local exporters who continue to demonstrate their global competitiveness and the quality of their products and services,” said Parker. “We’re here to assist new or established exporters create and protect local jobs through international sales.”
The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the ITA and assists small and medium-sized U.S. businesses in exporting their products around the world.
For more information on exporting, contact the U.S. Commercial Service Export Assistance Center in Austin and visit www.export.gov/texas/austin/.
For more information on the impact of Metropolitan Statistical Areas on U.S. exports, including fact sheets, visit www.trade.gov/mas/ian/metroreport/.
Information provided by The U.S. Commercial Service, a sub-agency to the Department of Commerce, Stephen J. Collier, U.S. Field Communication Specialist at Southwest Network.