Florida’s Tech Exports Grow by Nearly $1 Billion, 2nd Largest Rise in the Nation
4th Straight Year of Growth Places Florida 3rd in Total Tech Exports

Orlando, FL (September 23, 2008) – AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today released its annual report detailing national and state trends in the international trade of high-tech goods. The report, Trade in the Cyberstates 2008: A State-by-State Overview of High-Tech International Trade, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

In 2007, Florida exported over $13 billion in high-tech products overseas, making it the third largest tech exporter in the nation. Overall, the state saw an increase of high-tech exports of $989 million in 2007, an eight percent increase. Brazil was the largest destination for these exports, buying nearly $2 billion tech goods in 2007. Florida’s largest single tech sector was computers and peripheral equipment, which had $5.1 billion of exports in 2007.

"When many people think of Florida exports, they probably think only of citrus fruits,” said Maryann Fiala, Executive Director of AeA’s Florida Council. “But nearly a third of all exports from the Sunshine State are high-tech products. State public policy officials need to see trade as a great job creator for Florida – high-tech exports support nearly 70,000 jobs in the state.”

“As we are the gateway to Latin America, we also urge Congress to reconsider passing the Colombian Free Trade Agreement, continued Fiala. “Colombia is Florida’s fifth largest destination for high-tech goods. By passing the agreement, Colombia would lower tariffs on U.S. imports, creating even more revenue and jobs for Florida.”

Nationally, Trade in the Cyberstates 2008 shows that U.S. high-tech goods exports decreased by three percent in 2007, totaling $214 billion, representing 18 percent of all U.S. exports to the world. High-tech imports totaled $333 billion in 2007, up by three percent, resulting in a high-tech trade deficit of $118 billion. High-tech exports supported 894,600 jobs in the United States.

Trade in the Cyberstates 2008 provides a comprehensive review of international trade of high-tech goods at the national and state-by-state level. The report provides overview pages for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These "snapshot" pages highlight historical high-tech export trends, exports by individual tech sector, and leading export destinations.

This report is a partner publication to AeA's other two annual cyber publications, Cyberstates and Cybercities, which provide data on high-tech jobs, wages, payroll, and other factors at the state and metropolitan levels.

AeA members can purchase each of these reports for $125; non-members for $250. Visit www.aeanet.org/research to purchase the reports.

What Does High-Tech Trade Mean for Florida?

• $13.4 billion in high-tech exports (3rd ranked cyberstate)
   
• Up $989 million in tech exports between 2006 and 2007
   
• 30 percent of exports from Florida are tech exports (12th ranked cyberstate)
   
• 69,900 jobs in Florida are supported by tech exports

Florida’s Leading Tech Export Destinations:

• $2.0 billion in tech exports to Brazil
   
• $1.3 billion in tech exports to Venezuela
   
• $1.0 billion in tech exports to Mexico

Florida’s Leading Tech Export Sectors:

• 2nd in photonics exports at $529 million
   
• 3rd in computers and peripheral equipment exports at $5.1 billion
   
• 3rd in communications equipment exports at $3.3 billion

Source: Trade in the Cyberstates 2008

Data are for 2007.

Published by AeA, Advancing the Business of Technology (www.aeanet.org)

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About AeA

AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit http://www.aeanet.org.

This page was last updated on 09/16/08.  
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