Marchant Speaks on Importance of High-Tech Trade for Texas

Press Release

Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24) spoke today at the unveiling of a new TechAmerica Foundation report, which highlights the importance of technology trade and the benefits it brings to our nation. According to the report, Texas has now overtaken California as the nation's leading tech exporting state. Marchant issued the following statement regarding the report:

"America's high-tech sector is an innovation powerhouse and one of the fasting growing elements of global trade. By plugging into international markets, America experienced high-tech export growth in 32 states between 2011 and 2012. Texas now exports more high-tech products -- at a value of $45.1 billion in 2012 -- than any other state in the country. One key tech hub of that growth is Dallas-Fort Worth, the area I am fortunate to represent in Congress.

"High-tech exports -- from microchips to jet engines -- play a crucial role in creating new jobs, growing the most dynamic parts of our economy, and placing America in a leading position to shape the tech-based future. TechAmerica's report provides evidence of just how the tech sector is benefiting real people and real jobs across our nation.

"While America stands at the cutting edge of tech trade growth, we must continue building an environment in which entrepreneurship, creativity, and open markets freely flourish."

The Tech Trade in the States 2014 report provides a comprehensive review of international trade of tech goods at the national and state-by-state level. According to the report, U.S. exports of tech goods totaled $204 billion in 2012, growing by $2.7 billion and helping to directly support 1.5 million jobs. The report reveals that Texas ranks at or near the top of every technology export sector examined. Technology exports accounted for 17 percent of all exports from Texas in 2012, above the national average of 13 percent.

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