Contacts:
Ethnie Groves, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2156
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Governor Jim Doyle announced today that Wisconsin exports
increased by 10.4 percent to a record $12.7 billion in 2004, up from a 7.7
percent increase the state recorded in 2003.
“For the third straight year, Wisconsin companies have
helped our state post record export growth,” Governor Doyle said. “It is
another sign that our economy is on the move, and that our workers can
compete with anyone in the world. As Governor, I’m determined to build on
this success and help our businesses continue to reach new markets.”
Governor Doyle will lead a delegation of Wisconsin business
and government leaders to Mexico from March 6 to 11, 2005. The mission to
Mexico is the third foreign trade mission Governor Doyle has led since
taking office. In 2004, the Governor led delegations to China and Japan.
Mexico is now Wisconsin’s second largest export market, up
from third in 2003, as exports grew 35.07 percent to $1.06 billion. Exports
to Canada, Wisconsin’s largest international exporting market, grew by 11.66
percent to $4.86 billion. Japan was third despite a 23.52 percent decline
to $656.63 million, and China again ranked fourth with a 6.4 percent
increase to $583.3 million. The United Kingdom was fifth with a 4.72
percent increase to $517.30 million.
Industrial machinery, including computer equipment,
continues to be Wisconsin’s top export commodity, growing by 14.73 percent
to $4.46 billion. Medical instruments ranked second with an increase of
1.61 percent to $1.63 billion. Electrical machinery surged into third place
with a 43.09 percent increase to $1.28 billion. Transportation equipment
ranked fourth with a 0.36 percent increase to $968 million. Paper and
paperboard was the state’s fifth largest export with a 17.45 percent
increase to $686.63 million.
Businesses interested in joining Governor Doyle’s Mexico
Trade Mission can access registration and additional information at:
