Central Texas Economy In Perspective
by Beverly Kerr, Chamber Vice President of Research

 

Computer and electronic products accounted for 75% of the value of Austin's international exports in 2005 and 2006. With complete data for 2007 recently released, that share has dropped to 57%. While the value of Austin's computer and electronic product exports declined by $1.2 billion between 2005 and 2007, exports of machinery increased by $1.8 billion. This may be a curious development as machinery manufacturing employment in Austin is only about 4,000 during the period while the number of jobs in computer and electronic product manufacturing is roughly 31,000.

South Korea, Austin's largest export market, accounted for 20% of 2005 and 2006 exports, but that share dropped to 12% in 2007. Data is suppressed (withheld to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies) for Taiwan in two of the three years, but given the level reported for 2006, this trade partner may possibly be as significant as South Korea. San Jose exports more to South Korea (averaging $3.3 billion annually) and Taiwan ($2.3 billion) than any other reported metro, however, its exports to Japan are even greater ($3.4 billion).

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