Staff Report
Published Sept. 19, 2012

Lowcountry exports grew 8.5% between 2010 and 2011, the International Trade Administration announced last week.

The Charleston-North Charleston metro area saw its exports increase by $179 million, pushing total exports to $2.3 billion in 2011. The trade administration highlighted exports of chemicals, computers and electronics, machinery, transportation equipment and paper as key categories.

“These export numbers show that selling internationally has become a much more viable option for many S.C. businesses,” said Phil Minard, manager of the U.S. Commercial Service in Charleston, in a news release. “In many cases, the Internet, ease of transportation, and array of available export services has reduced the distance between exporter and importer to a click on a desktop.”