Cross-posted from the AeA:

Tech Exports in Illinois Up Fourth Straight Year
Illinois Ranks in Top Five Nationally in Four of Eight Tech Export Sectors

Oakbrook Terrace, IL (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.

Tech exports in Illinois have continuously grown the past four years to total $7.4 billion in 2007. This is a four percent increase over the previous year, or an increase of $258 million. Illinois is also ranked seventh nationally for its high-tech exports. Electronic components exports, which ranks third nationally for tech exports, is one of the leading export sectors in Illinois.

“Technology export growth continues to be vital to Illinois, as it makes up 15 percent of the state’s total exports,” said Ed Longanecker, Executive Director of AeA’s Midwest Council. “Not only this, but high-tech exports support 28,700 jobs in Illinois. From these numbers, it is clear that Illinois is a great state to trade with. Our leaders in Washington need to work to increase access to foreign markets through bilateral and multilateral trade deals. They benefit the country and the state of Illinois.”

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.

Read more on tech exports and AeA’s other reports at www.aeanet.org

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